How to Install LED Tail Lights on a 1998-2005 Lexus GS300/GS400

Tools and Preparations

Installing aftermarket tail lights on your 1998 through 2005 Lexus GS300 or GS400 can take some time to accomplish so you should plan to devote at least an hour to the project from start to finish. You will be removing and replacing both the primary taillight and the trunk light portion so this install i somewhat more involved than others we have covered here.

Work Area Preparations:

We recommend that you clean and prepare not only your vehicle prior to beginning but your work area as well. You want to make sure the installation area is dry an protected from the elements as you will be connecting some wiring during this project and you do not want to run the risk of shorting out any of the electrical components.

In addition to the above, we also advise you to use an old sheet or tarp as a staging area for the installation. This will protect the finish of the stock and replacement lights and prevent scuffing.

Recommended Installation Tools:

• A flathead screwdriver
• A 1/4-inch drive ratchet
• A 10mm socket
• A trim pad remover

Safety Gear:

Whenever you work on any car protective eye-wear should always be worn as doing so helps prevent injury.

As basic as it may seem you will need to open your trunk to access the mounting hardware for the taillights.

Remove the cargo liner to expose two 10mm bolts that attach the tail light to the vehicle.

Using a flat head screwdriver remove plastic clips.

With your socket wrench remove the two 10mm nuts attached to the mounting bolts.

On the exterior of the vehicle, you will see two plastic covers next to the tail light. Remove these in order to expose the 10mm bolts.

Pull out the tail light enough to reveal the harnesses. Unplug the taillight sockets from the housing.

Connect the harnesses to the new tail light.

Connect the harness adapter for 2001 through 2005 models.

Reattach the taillight using the two 10mm bolts.

Remove the fourteen plastic clips indicated by the red arrows.

Remove the trunk liner to expose mounting hardware of trunk light.

Remove two 10mm nuts from trunk light.

Remove trunk light from housing.

Place replacement light into position and plug it in to harness.

Tighten the two 10mm nuts to securely attach trunk light.

Connect the wires (three in total) to resistor and, using the self-adhesive tape, mount to the inside of the trunk.

Replace trunk liner and affix it to trunk with fourteen plastic clips.

Close the trunk.

Please check all lights prior to driving.