t0fudelivery

So after parking next to my friend's lexus IS F, I couldnt stand how dull the LEDs for my license plate looked compared to his factory cold cathode lights.

After doing some research and talking to Mike, I went to Fry's and picked up some CCFL tubes for a whopping total of $12 (hell of a deal compared to the $80+ Lexus wants. Two hours later and this is the result!

Excuse the quality, my Droid X (8MP) was the only thing I had handy to take pics.

This isnt a DIY thread, but I will explain a little bit about what I did (sorry guys, didnt have much time to take pics during the process)

Before (V-LED wedges)


12" CCFL tubes (white)


Prep


Here it is, CCFL tubes installed


Comparison shot


Heres a few quick details on the installation

-The entire OEM license plate assembly (bulb, bulb socket, lense assembly) must be removed in order for the tubes to fit properly. This will leave the two holes completely open.
-Cut the wiring (red/black) that leads to the switch (refer to the 3rd pic) and splice it with the OEM license plate harness (red/black). I made sure not to cut too close to the OEM male connectors just in case I decide to reinstall the OEM license plate light assemblies.
-I taped the two tubes together so theyre easier to mount inside.
-Tip from Mike: Before I installed the lights, I cut little plastic squares out of the boxes the CCFL tubes came in and taped them from the inside, creating lenses to protect the tubes from excess water (ghetto, but it works).
-I just used small strips of velcro on the end caps to secure them inside the trunk.
-I also used velcro to secure the blue modules inside the trunk so they dont flop around, you can use zip ties or whatever you like.


This is a very simple installation process. I would have to say the only pain in the ass with installing these lights is the amount of screws that hold the trunk lining down!

EvoToTL

iTrader: (6)

wow nice install and thanks for the install tips. can you pm me where you bought the ccrl tubes ? thanks!

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Did you Use reflective tape or aluminum foil to shine the light better?

blkmz3

i never understood why people want to make their license plate light the brightest possible. unless you have a custom vanity plate you want people to see I see no reason.

LoveMyTL-S

IMO the bright white looks much better than the dull yellowish light.

jptl04

iTrader: (1)

nice job looks great. ive done this to both my TL's. IMHO it looks way better than any led bulb.

heres the DIY created by pimpin-tl
http://www.acuraclubsa.com/DIY/catho...odeTLhowto.htm

i took it a step further with the dull plastic covers. what i did was cut some 1/16" plexi glass in the same shape as oem cover and put 3M double stick tape around the edges. this gives me a clear watertight cover for the light to shine through check-it







this was my old AM, i did the same to my WDP Type-s

rainmn

Maybe it's the same reason some people want interior lights bright enough to perform surgery under. I never understood that one either.

KB1Spec

iTrader: (4)

Wait for a few weeks as I'm testing out Plasma LED. 5X brighter than SMD LED and almost 2X brighter than CREE LED.

Price wise, its a bit pricy from what I heard. So stay tune...

snake134

iTrader: (1)

hmmmm, the ones I bought from V-LEDS im sure are just as bright as lexus ones

myron

iTrader: (4)

I had this mod on my 3G, looked great. I used aluminum foil to direct light down, and did what jptl04 did with covering up the holes.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

OP can you give us all the link to the v-leds bulbs that you bought and used before replacing it with these cathodes?

your v-leds in the first picture doesn't look like mines..

t0fudelivery

which bulbs do you have? Its not necessarily which ones are brighter, I chose to get rid of my LEDs and go with CCFLs for their pure white light. Its a much cleaner look imho

definitely going to have to try that...i was also thinking of taking a dremel to the holes and open them up a bit more, although this will completely eliminate any future possibility of reinstalling the stock light assemblies

**Pics were taken with a cell phone camera so what you see in my pictures isnt an exact representation of what the naked eye sees.** I cant speak for the 34.99 bulb they sell, never tried em.

These are the bulbs I had before.
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED-B...78377-1-2.html

usmarinedelta

iTrader: (1)

Just a heads up, I had these on my previous cars and they will crap out on you sooner or later. Once the moisture from rain will build up inside the tube and for the electrical box, I recommend you wrap that in saran wrap and tape off the ends so that way moisture doesn't seep it's way into the box.