my first DIY mod

40626 Views 55 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Gonzo, Apr 19, 2020

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · Oct 25, 2014 (Edited)

2

my first DIY mod lolz

nothing to write home about really lol

i thought the light bulbs are halogens since the interior lights are a warmish color, but seems like the interior cabin lights are already LEDs (i see circuit boards) so there is no need to change them. if someone thinks otherwise please let me know

license plate lights are also LED according to the manual, so no need to change them either

the trunk light, however, is still a halogen light bulb

i happen to have a few matching LED license plate lights i got a while ago for my lexus. so i tried them on, they fit but the ambient light in my underground parking is too bright to see any difference. will take the car out for a spin tonight and see if it's any brighter in the trunk at night time

i have white and blue LEDs to play around. if it's not bright enough then i may consider getting even more powerful SMB leds off ebay

Electronics Technology

Blue Light Lighting Automotive lighting Auto part

See less See more

Reactions: 3

1 - 20 of 56 Posts

andre12dbsi

· #2 · Oct 25, 2014

One of the first DIYs!

Depending on how many DIYs people do maybe we'll need a specific section in the forum.

I swapped the trunk light in my current car to an LED and it was a lot brighter.

Good to hear that the interior bulbs are already LEDs.

Reactions: 1

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 26, 2014

2

the LEDs i had arent any brighter than the halogen, maybe because the trunk is abit on the spacious side to be filled with light. but then my LEDs were license plate lights and they aren't particularly strong either

but i have opted for the blue LED light, mainly because it goes well with the blue lights that come on in the interior at night (door handles, USB area, homelink area, dual screen default color is also blue)

i will see if i can find an even more stronger blue LED

Blue Light Cobalt blue Automotive exterior Electric blue

Blue Sky Light Night Atmosphere

See less See more

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 10, 2014 (Edited)

4

so my bigger 28SMD LED light came in finally, abit more brighter now, brighter than the default halogen

Product Yellow Electronics Electronic component Technology

halogen:

Trunk Car Vehicle Auto part Personal luxury car

smaller blue led shown in first post:

Trunk Vehicle Car Automotive exterior Auto part

bigger blue led (28SMD):

Trunk Car Vehicle Auto part Mid-size car

and looks like the trunk light compartment still has a little bit of room to house an even longer and bigger led module. should i try a 68SMD led? lol

See less See more

Reactions: 2

HAx5

· #5 · Dec 10, 2014

Keep us in the loop. Agree a seperate section too!

Reactions: 1

andre12dbsi

· #6 · Dec 10, 2014

Looks good. You know you're going to try the bigger light.

Esrever

· #7 · Dec 10, 2014

I find it to be a kinda funny mod. Its not like many people are seeing the inside of your trunk and i'm sure that the other light was illuminating it fine. But whatever makes you happy.

andre12dbsi

· #8 · Dec 10, 2014

Esrever said:
I find it to be a kinda funny mod. Its not like many people are seeing the inside of your trunk and i'm sure that the other light was illuminating it fine. But whatever makes you happy.

I have it done in my current car and it lights up better than the stock light. LEDs seem brighter.

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 10, 2014

i find my previous 2000 EL to be brighter in the trunk than the TLX. either the bulb they use is too weak or the trunk space got alot more spacious for the bulb to light up. prolly the former

and plus, with the extra storage compartment at the spare tire area in the TLX, i like my light to be bright so i can dig into the bottom. i like to keep my trunk free of junk, at least on the surface

had i use a white LED, it would be brighter than the blue i have here. im picking blue to match the blue LED lights in the interior

Reactions: 2

TeeElX

· #10 · Dec 10, 2014

It's why in almost all my vehicles i convert all lighting to LED... that's of course if i plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time.

SameButDifferent

· #11 · Dec 11, 2014

Looks like something fun to do if you are a hands on type person who likes to work on your car. I think for many others this type of mod seems like a lot of work for just a little reward. Thanks for sharing though. Do you have any other mods planned for your TLX now that you've got the ball rolling?

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 11, 2014

its alot of work?

- buy matching LED on ebay for 2 bucks
- wait for it to arrive
- pry off the light housing with a flathead screwdriver
- swap lights
- put back housing

done. 2 bucks and 5-10 mins of your time.

there are plenty of tutorials and takes zero effort to swap interior light bulbs

Reactions: 2

Summest

· #13 · Dec 16, 2014

r.johnson said:
its alot of work?

- buy matching LED on ebay for 2 bucks
- wait for it to arrive
- pry off the light housing with a flathead screwdriver
- swap lights
- put back housing

done. 2 bucks and 5-10 mins of your time.

there are plenty of tutorials and takes zero effort to swap interior light bulbs

How you thought about or have you done it already; replacing the backup lights? Seems they could be brighter.

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 16, 2014

not really, i find the exterior lights to be okay for my needs

on a side note, i just tried driving on the highway with no street lights (ie no ambient light) in a VERY foggy nighttime environment (zero visibility). wow the led jewel lights work great; you dont really need LED fog lights installed

Reactions: 1

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 24, 2014

3

my big arse 68SMD LED light came in. i think this is the biggest size the housing can take; i had a little trouble inserting it in since it's getting quite long:

Product Electronic component Technology Electronics Automotive lighting

28SMD:

Trunk Auto part Car Vehicle Vehicle door

68SMD:

Trunk Auto part Car Vehicle Electric blue

See less See more

Reactions: 1

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 22, 2015

6

here's with a white LED, unfortunately it came with some defects as some of the SMDs do not light up:

blue LED before:

white LED:

See less See more

Reactions: 2

HAx5

· #17 · Feb 23, 2015

r.johnson said:
here's with a white LED, unfortunately it came with some defects as some of the SMDs do not light up:QUOTE]

Can hardly wait until a full matrix lights up. What were the exact specs you need in order to get LEDs like this?

i am now intrigued.

r.johnson

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 23, 2015

HAx5 said:
Can hardly wait until a full matrix lights up. What were the exact specs you need in order to get LEDs like this?

i am now intrigued.

honestly, as you can tell from the clear plastic light housing, the failed SMDs are not facing "down" towards the truck, so i dont think it will make much difference in terms of brightness even if i get a new one with perfectly working SMDs

but i'd say i think white is better for the trunk as supposed to blue

just search for "T10 68SMD LED white" on ebay and you will see plenty of results. costs a couple of bucks for one piece with free shipping (but expect to wait for a month for it to arrive)

Reactions: 1

Summest

· #19 · Feb 23, 2015

I agree. White looks great in the trunk.

Maybe use the blue for the foot wells?

HAx5

· #20 · Feb 24, 2015

r.johnson said:
honestly, as you can tell from the clear plastic light housing, the failed SMDs are not facing "down" towards the truck, so i dont think it will make much difference in terms of brightness even if i get a new one with perfectly working SMDs

but i'd say i think white is better for the trunk as supposed to blue

just search for "T10 68SMD LED white" on ebay and you will see plenty of results. costs a couple of bucks for one piece with free shipping (but expect to wait for a month for it to arrive)

Ty for the info, and agreed on white!

1 - 20 of 56 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.