[yardbird88]

I ordered this License plate LED (18SMD) light housing replacement got the 2012 CT200h. It looks like a direct replacement for $18.99 per set from Aliexpress. Note that the same one is selling for $35 at Amazon.

 

[chroma23]

hi, did it arrive yet? i was wondering if its difficult to remove the housing, since space is already pretty tight even with changing license plate bulbs

 

[burstaneurysm]

I just changed those bulbs out... the way the module clips in, it looks like you might have to remove the exterior panel and remove the old housing from the outside.

 

[yardbird88]

Yeap! I installed it but it's a pain in the a##. The Lexus design didn't expect anyone to replace the license plate light housing. I got to remove the exterior trunk cover which is plastic! It took me about one hour because I was going very slow. There is a u-tube video that I can follow and it helps. The LED is VERY bright but the aftermarket connector socket is very very tight not as smooth as the OEM's socket, you need to push them pretty hard to fit. They do work though.

 

[cmptpad]

Yeap! I installed it but it's a pain in the a##. The Lexus design didn't expect anyone to replace the license plate light housing. I got to remove the exterior trunk cover which is plastic! It took me about one hour because I was going very slow. There is a u-tube video that I can follow and it helps. The LED is VERY bright but the aftermarket connector socket is very very tight not as smooth as the OEM's socket, you need to push them pretty hard to fit. They do work though.

I am impressed with all the mods that you guys/girls are doing with CT.. I don't the the patience and or needs. Great work gang

 

[burstaneurysm]

Pics of the final install?

 

[yardbird88]

Pics of the final install?

The U-tube video said it all.

 

[burstaneurysm]

I was thinking more 'pics of the output'. The video doesn't really indicate how it actually looks.
It's a lot of work to swap the housings and if the output is even only marginally better than simply replacing the peanut bulbs, not sure it's worth the time.

 

[print("Jimbo")]

Yeap! I installed it but it's a pain in the a##. The Lexus design didn't expect anyone to replace the license plate light housing. I got to remove the exterior trunk cover which is plastic! It took me about one hour because I was going very slow. There is a u-tube video that I can follow and it helps. The LED is VERY bright but the aftermarket connector socket is very very tight not as smooth as the OEM's socket, you need to push them pretty hard to fit. They do work though.

Lexus made a 5 minute job turn into more than an hour.....First thing I wanted to do was change the license plate bulbs to led, but I'm on the same boat as you.....

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Thee 2014's and up got OEM LED modules. If you are going to do the mod I'd probably buy OEM rather than led modules from china. Though they might be fine. I know I'd only really want to do it once and not have to take everything apart because the LED is flickering... etc.

-Nigel

 

[TobiasSing]

Ironically, Lexus made it beyond super easy to replace the plate bulbs on this car, just pop off some plastic covers. On my IS300, you had to do that entire procedure above just to change the bulbs (just on a trunk instead of a hatch)