SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

taking the 06 tail light plunge

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Old 08-30-10, 12:09 PM
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jerzylexus
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Default taking the 06 tail light plunge

hi... i've finally saved up for the 06 tail light conversion. i'm looking on the Ltunedparts website now and seeing a price of $330 per side, so $660 total. is this the best price i will find? and is there any discount code i can use? i think i will bypass the ECU for now... thanks so much.
Old 08-30-10, 12:33 PM
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VVTiBob
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The 06 tails consist of three major components on each side. The lamp assembly, upper garnish that mounts on the trunk lid and the wire harness. You need all three to make the change.

With the Club Lexus discount and NO ECU upgrade its $548.56 for the kit at Sewellpartsonline.com. With the ECU upgrade it jumps to $1046.95
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2002-1903.html
Old 08-30-10, 12:56 PM
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jerzylexus
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thank you so much man. just ordered! i have another question.. I was reading a thread where some posters (one of them might have been you) were discussing the amber chrome turn signal bulb for these new tails. what exactly are they and where can i purchase them? all of the links in that thread were from a while back and now down. thanks again.
Old 08-30-10, 03:29 PM
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VVTiBob
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If I were you I go the Sylvania Automotive bulbs site and find the correct bulb for your year SC430. The site is at this link: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...lacementGuide/

For example my 02 uses 7440 bulb for the rear turn signals. Then just google it like I did in this link:
http://tinyurl.com/29bhdu4

You'll find plenty of vendors who sell Chrome versions of the bulb.

BTW the chrome version of the 7440 lamp is not as bright when it glows as the standard 7440. But the chrome version does not cast a yellowish tint on the lens when the lamp is off. It really comes down to personal taste and the "look" you want. I also tried the LED version of 7440 lamp and was not happy with the amount of light cast when it was lit, so I went back to standard filament type blub.

Last edited by VVTiBob; 08-30-10 at 03:34 PM.
Old 08-30-10, 03:54 PM
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jerzylexus
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bob I have an 02 as well so i would be using the same bulb. im just not sure which part of the light that bulb is....
Old 08-30-10, 05:17 PM
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VVTiBob
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To tell you the truth I don't remember is the 06 kit came with new signal lamps too. The brake lamps are LEDs. My recollections is the old signal lamps worked in the new 06 taillights but I changed to chrome coated bulb to change the appearance when the lights were off, that is, no yellow tint to the lens from the bulb itself.
Old 08-30-10, 08:26 PM
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I did the conversion about six months ago. The 06 kit comes with new signal lamps...I don't thing the fastener/fit would align properly with the old signal harnesses.

The chrome bulbs I bought are no longer listed on eBay. I found these though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FREE-...Q5fAccessories
Old 08-31-10, 02:34 PM
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jerzylexus
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thanks! how do you guys think RED LED 7440 bulbs would look?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7440-...item1c15226a8b
Old 08-31-10, 04:45 PM
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I prefer the amber turn indicator. It's really your choice. But I'm not sure that bulb's form factor will fit.
Old 09-02-10, 12:47 PM
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ok.... so after doing some research i am having second thoughts on the 06 tail light upgrade. to be honest, I am not a huge fan of the new lights when they are off. I do however love how bright they get when on and how quickly they turn off and on (as is with most LEDS). I currently have a red out tint on my lights and I love the one solid color look. very clean. Not to mention for $600, i wanna absolutely love what i am getting. I came across this picture

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...md/09/jbr3.jpg

now this i LOVE. are those regular LED bulbs? anyone know where i can purchase a strip like that for the top portion of light? how would that even operate???
Old 09-02-10, 01:10 PM
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Yeah, that looks great. If you can create that mod for much less and really "love" it then go for it! I'm not sure of what bulb exactly but it appears it has a wider circumference than the normal LED's you buy for those tails. Remember-the opening on the lens is not that big, so keep that in mind if you are trying some larger head bulbs. I know a lot of the LED's are much wider, and especially to get that large circular pattern.

I've bought several LED's before on eBay and been disappointed with the fit and the flickering too. Be careful...use good eBay buying tips.
Old 09-02-10, 01:26 PM
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im thinking maybe they wrapped some LED strips around the light inside? not sure if the strips are that flexible or not. im looking at these bulbs tho..

http://store.ijdmtoy.com/Brilliant-R..._red_sku31.htm
Old 09-02-10, 01:41 PM
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also..anyone have any experience with replacing the back brake lights and turn signals with LEDS? is it much brighter than stock? do they light up quick and fade quick like true LED?
Old 09-02-10, 01:48 PM
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what kind of light output would this bulb give me?
http://store.ijdmtoy.com/54-SMD-T20-...7443_sku37.htm
Old 09-04-10, 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by jerzylexus
ok.... so after doing some research i am having second thoughts on the 06 tail light upgrade. to be honest, I am not a huge fan of the new lights when they are off. I do however love how bright they get when on and how quickly they turn off and on (as is with most LEDS). I currently have a red out tint on my lights and I love the one solid color look. very clean. Not to mention for $600, i wanna absolutely love what i am getting. I came across this picture

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...md/09/jbr3.jpg

now this i LOVE. are those regular LED bulbs? anyone know where i can purchase a strip like that for the top portion of light? how would that even operate???
I believe I posted that pic a while ago.
Those leds are custom.

If you put some ebay led bulbs into the stock taillights, you will get the warning light on the dash.
Although you can solve that by using resisters, probably not worth of doing it.


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