SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

classy LED driving lights

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Old 02-20-21 | 11:14 PM
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Default classy LED driving lights

Hi...wanting more high beam output, and not wanting to futz with the headlights, I have been trying to find a smallish LED set or even truck type single rectangle shaped aftermaker "off road light" which could fit behind the Lexus grille and be wired into the high beam circuit (with a on off switch).
At the low end, there's pretty plasticky stuff from parts supply stores which might be ok, but seem cheap. The fact that every one is marked "for off road use" or some other excuse is obnoxious-I grew up when Hellas and Cibies could be added provided you had the wallet.

On the mid-price, there's almost nothing designated for cars...it becomes more macho fodder like **** CIpak and other %#@-up truck fare. They look like they've lots of fire power but are either boxy or just too big.

I guess the high end is definitely for off roading-I am surprised I don't see any Hella LED units that would look good inside the grille, aka similar to Mini Cooper advisement.

Any suggestions...btw, ONLY interested in LED (NOT halogen/hid), thanks!
Old 02-21-21 | 11:11 AM
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Maybe you can find something that will fit in the FOG LIGHT spots. That way you could control them with the switch already wired inside your car.
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Old 02-21-21 | 11:35 AM
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I fitted these in place of the fogs as DRL's, but in the UK they have to turn off when the headlights come on.

Bumper off to install. I had to fabricate brackets and a plastic lens for the foglight trim.





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Old 02-21-21 | 11:35 PM
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How did you fabricate the trim?
Old 02-22-21 | 03:23 AM
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The trims are the OEM foglight surrounds painted body colour with a fabricated perspex( I think you guys call it plexiglass) 'lens'.



Perspex lens

Trim back in place


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Old 02-22-21 | 02:16 PM
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Very well done, OEM look with that upgrade feel.
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Old 02-22-21 | 02:24 PM
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WIL, where did you purchase the lense? Link ?
Old 02-23-21 | 11:08 AM
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The lamps came from ebay years ago. I made the lenses from Perspex and glued them to the foglight trims which I sprayed body colour.
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Old 02-23-21 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by GmanSC
WIL, where did you purchase the lense? Link ?
@GmanSC You can get plexiglass at home depot or Lowes last I checked.
These are on my list of things to do and they're street legal:
Amazon Amazon
I'm going to borow @WIL44 's excellent idea for the plexiglass.
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Old 02-24-21 | 05:01 PM
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I turned off the DRL from Techstream, then installed a set of switchback LEDs in the front signal sockets.
Now that become my new DRL (white LED) and turn signal still work via the amber/yellow LED.



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Old 02-24-21 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by cazzola
@GmanSC You can get plexiglass at home depot or Lowes last I checked.
These are on my list of things to do and they're street legal:
https://www.amazon.com/DJI-4X4-Appro...e%2C285&sr=1-8
I'm going to borow @WIL44 's excellent idea for the plexiglass.
I like what WIL44 got for the lenses not the off road one on Amazon.
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Old 02-25-21 | 04:47 AM
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Philipps makes some good DRL’s. I actually used this same set on my old LS. They put out a good amount of lumens. No modifications required. Grill lights was just me playing around with some flexible LED lights.




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Old 02-25-21 | 06:11 AM
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Will44, very nice job. Looks OEM!
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Old 02-25-21 | 04:08 PM
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Wil:
Are the lenses up against the plexi ? Otherwise I am concerned of dirt/water getting in between lens and plexi and then the effort needed to clean . Great job nonetheless! Thanks for sharing
Old 02-26-21 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by digitatc
I turned off the DRL from Techstream, then installed a set of switchback LEDs in the front signal sockets.
Now that become my new DRL (white LED) and turn signal still work via the amber/yellow LED.

That looks fantastic! I'm going to disable my DRLs too. Do you have a write-up on what all you replaced in your headlights?


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