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**Updated w/ Pics** License Plate Lighting (LED)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by treehggr, Jun 29, 2007.

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  1. treehggr

    treehggr New Member

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    I'm looking to replace the lighting for my license plate. I ordered all the xenon white LED's for all the interior lighting and am now looking for a LED replacement for the license plate lighting now.

    Could anyone point me in the right direction for finding some?

    If anyone has done this could you post up some pics?

    Thanks, Brandon

    **Update**

    Well I installed the LED's last night and I think they turned out pretty good. For those of you wanting to do this mod removing the plastic panel off the hatch to access the lights is a PITA!! What Darelldd said was true. Those little blue clips are very hard to remove. I did not break any though so thats a plus. Here are a few pics I took this morning with my cell. I didn't have the keys to my dads Prius or I would have turned on his lights for a comparison. Let me know what you all think. These were ordered from ebay seller warden_jp2002. The lights are called "2pcs 168 194 Refractor 5 LED (Xenon White) Wedge Bulb".

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    Attached Files:

    #1 treehggr, Jun 29, 2007
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I wanted to do it too but I saw the amount of work in order to get to the light. You basically had to remove the hatch interior plastic panel.
     
    #2 usbseawolf2000, Jun 29, 2007
  3. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Jun 29 2007, 12:51 PM) [snapback]470131[/snapback]</div>
    Could you point me to the instructions to remove the hatch interior plastic panel? Thanks.
     
    #3 zenMachine, Jun 29, 2007
  4. treehggr

    treehggr New Member

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    I too would like to know what would be involved to get to those lights. I still may be interested in doing it. Any idea or where to buy the bulb? Or even the type of bulb that needs replaced?
     
    #4 treehggr, Jun 29, 2007
  5. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    Darell has made the conversion with a custom built one.
     
    #5 aaf709, Jun 29, 2007
  6. bobdavisnpf

    bobdavisnpf Member

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    #6 bobdavisnpf, Jun 29, 2007
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    ditto. I'd like to get a set but it's hard to remove the plastic hatch piece (that and a good price without resorting to china-made ones)
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Jun 30, 2007
  8. treehggr

    treehggr New Member

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    I would still like to attempt the install of a new bulb back there despite the complicated install.

    Does anyone know the exact type of bulb I would need for the license plate lighting?

    I would also like to source a guide for the removal of the hatch to gain access to the bulb if anyone has it.

    Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.
     
    #8 treehggr, Jul 2, 2007
  9. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(treehggr @ Jul 2 2007, 06:53 AM) [snapback]471453[/snapback]</div>
    My page: http://www.evnut.com/prius_led_license.htm shows what is involved and where all the little clips are. Looking at that page allows you to cheat WAY beyond what I was doing blindly.

    The bulb is a 194-base as found on my bulb list here: http://evnut.com/prius_bulbs.htm

    Want me to come over and do it for you now? :p
     
    #9 darelldd, Jul 2, 2007
  10. treehggr

    treehggr New Member

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    :rolleyes: Thanks a bunch for the help Darell. This looks like it's going to be a pain in the you know what.

    And too bad you aren't a little closer or I'd take you up on that offer lol.

    Actually do you know of a good place that I can buy some bulbs that will work ok?

    Are you still selling your custom ones?
     
    #10 treehggr, Jul 2, 2007
  11. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    #11 Bill Merchant, Jul 3, 2007
  12. treehggr

    treehggr New Member

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    Thanks for the input Bill. I actually ordered all my interior leds from this guy. Only ordered them last week so it's just a waiting game now.

    Do you know if I need two of these? All the other bulbs I ordered were the xenon white bulbs. So pretty much I need to order a low powered flank bulb? I'm new to this. :unsure:

    Thanks for the help, Brandon
     
    #12 treehggr, Jul 3, 2007
  13. JaviNOS

    JaviNOS Mod Freak

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    just did mine yesterday... had little trouble with the plastic cover... did it in about 20min... nothing broken :D for now haha...
    this is how they look... low quality pic from my cellphone.. it actually looks brighter... it even lights a little from the road and the whole rear bumper top area facing the license plate.. It looks great... at least I think so :)
     

    Attached Files:

    #13 JaviNOS, Jul 22, 2007
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    #14 Tideland Prius, Jul 22, 2007
  15. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(treehggr @ Jul 2 2007, 11:12 AM) [snapback]471610[/snapback]</div>
    Apparently it isn't a pain for everybody - but I'm not the only one to have had trouble. I just can't imagine getting that panel off without breaking *something*

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(treehggr @ Jul 3 2007, 06:41 AM) [snapback]472211[/snapback]</div>
    Unless they come as a pair, you'll definitely need two of them. Drives menuts when I see these adverts though. While they may very well be using a "1W" LED, the thing is NOT begin driven at 1W. Wouldn't be possible with no heat sink.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JaviNOS @ Jul 22 2007, 01:12 AM) [snapback]483098[/snapback]</div>
    Looks GREAT - except I think the extra brightness has melted your license plate.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jul 22 2007, 09:45 AM) [snapback]483160[/snapback]</div>
    Only slightly less useful than the factory bulbs... but using less energy! Seriously - these will NOT let you see if that is your intent.
     
    #15 darelldd, Jul 22, 2007
  16. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Oops. Never mind.
     
    #16 darelldd, Jul 22, 2007
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    ok fine... i'll stick with interior lights...
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Jul 22, 2007
  18. JaviNOS

    JaviNOS Mod Freak

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Jul 22 2007, 01:37 PM) [snapback]483176[/snapback]</div>

    hahaha i think it did... it melted the important part of the plate :D
     
    #18 JaviNOS, Jul 22, 2007
  19. treehggr

    treehggr New Member

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    I just received my LED's to do this mod. I can't wait to start pulling at this plastic panel. <_< My goal is to pull it off without breaking anything.

    Darelldd and/or JaviNOS - Any tips on removing this panel?
     
    #19 treehggr, Jul 24, 2007
  20. JaviNOS

    JaviNOS Mod Freak

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(treehggr @ Jul 24 2007, 09:11 AM) [snapback]484077[/snapback]</div>
    Well tips... lets see... I started with a flat screwdriver neer the hook that locks the hatch door then squeezed my hands in and pulled down... I tried to pull evenly, not just from one side. That is once you have enough space to get your whole hand in to help you pull down. I guess I was just lucky no to break any of the blue clips...

    You will need some muscle to pull down but not a whole lot is necessary...

    hope this works... anything else let me know :)
     
    #20 JaviNOS, Jul 24, 2007
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