Badging Differences Between Jdm Altezza And Us Is300

[Andrew Kozak]

So here's the deal: my buddy just got a 2003 is300 and wants to completely rebadge it. His car's going to be in my other friend's garage for some engine work for the next month or so and I was hoping to badge it for him as a surprise (it's his birthday soon). Problem is, I'm a Honda/Nissan guy; I don't know the first thing about the differences in the badging between the Japanese Altezza and the US is300, and where can I get a complete set of badges?

Thanks guys!

[smooth1]

You would need the Altezza badge, drop the center Lexus emblem and replace it with a Toyota emblem, and take Lexus off the other side. On the front, you would need to replace the grill with an Altezza grill. For it all to be legit, I would stay JDM. It's not easy to track them down.

Don't forget, you would also have to change the engine cover, and the emblem on the steering wheel. :)

[RLis300]

How would you change the engine cover? As in change to what? or or you talking about taking the badge off? Also the steering wheel is expensive and you would also have to replace the instrument cluster to Altezza

[smooth1]

You can buy a JDM Altezza engine cover. I believe they just have the Toyota emblem on it, and not the Lexus one. I guess you could just pop the L off, but I haven't tried that or seen anyone else do it that way. I know they make carbon Fiber covers, and I have seen alot of people just paint the cover to match whatever color scheme they chose. That looks nice also.

[Andrew Kozak]

So to be clear, I need to take the badging on the rear from...

LEXUS (L) is300

...to instead be...

(T) ALTEZZA

with (L) and (T) being the respective emblems of Lexus and Toyota.

What about the front grille? I have seen "ALTEZZA" grille badges, would these be right for the 03 is300? Also, I imagine I'd swap the (L) for the (T) on the grille? Aside from the trunk lid and the grille, I wouldn't be going any further as he's not going for JDM -- he's got an aftermarket wheel and shiftknob anyway -- and we're doing a custom valve cover so the engine cover issue is out.

Thanks for the help!