Upgrading your toyota gt86 tail lights is probably the quickest way to take your car from looking like a stock commuter to a proper custom build. If you own a pre-facelift model, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Those original 2012-2016 "Zenki" lights with the chrome housings and the round "fried egg" look haven't aged particularly well. They were fine back in the day, but compared to modern LED setups, they just look a bit dated.
The beauty of the 86 platform—whether you call it a GT86, a BRZ, or an FR-S—is that it's basically a giant Lego set. The aftermarket support is absolutely massive, and the tail lights are usually the first thing owners swap out. It's a simple Saturday afternoon job that completely changes the personality of the rear end.
Why Everyone Swaps the Stock Lights
Let's be real for a second: the rear of the GT86 is its best angle, except for those original lights. When Toyota updated the car in 2017 (the Kouki models), they actually did a great job with the OEM LED lights. They're sleek, they're dark, and they look premium. However, if you're rocking an older model, you're stuck with that clear lens and silver reflector combo that screams 2005.
Changing your toyota gt86 tail lights isn't just about getting rid of the "old" look, though. It's about customization. Maybe you want that aggressive "all-blacked-out" vibe, or maybe you're a fan of the sequential turn signals that make the car look twice as expensive. Whatever your style, there is a set of lights out there that fits your specific vision for the car.
The Big Names in the Aftermarket World
If you've spent more than five minutes on a forum or scrolling through Instagram, you've definitely seen Valenti. They are pretty much the gold standard for this car. Valenti tail lights are so common that some people joke they should have come stock. But there's a reason they're everywhere: they look incredible. They offer a "Jewel" line and a "Revo" line, and both feature those iconic light bars that wrap around the housing.
Then you have VLAND. These are the go-to if you're on a bit more of a budget but still want that modern look. VLANDs often mimic the style of high-end supercars—like the "Y" shape you'd see on a Lamborghini. They're usually a bit cheaper than Valentis, but the light output is solid, and they usually come with that satisfying sequential blinker that everyone loves.
If you want something a bit more "out there," you look at Buddy Club. Their lights are polarizing—you either love them or you hate them. They have a very distinct, almost futuristic vertical stack of LEDs. If you're trying to stand out at a local car meet where five other guys have Valentis, Buddy Clubs are the way to go.
Dealing with the Infamous Condensation Issue
We can't talk about toyota gt86 tail lights without mentioning the elephant in the room: water. For some reason, these cars are notorious for getting condensation inside the tail light housings. It doesn't matter if they're stock or aftermarket; the factory gaskets are well, they're not great.
If you're swapping your lights, don't skip the gaskets. A lot of people try to reuse the foam ones that come with the car, and that's a recipe for a mini-aquarium in your trunk. There are companies like Ninja Gaskets that make much thicker, high-quality rubber seals. It's a twenty-dollar investment that saves you from ruining a five-hundred-dollar set of lights. Honestly, even if your stock lights are fine right now, it's worth checking the seals before the next big rainstorm.
Installation Is Easier Than You Think
One of the best things about working on this car is that it's very DIY-friendly. To swap your toyota gt86 tail lights, you really only need a basic 8mm socket or a small wrench. You just pop the trunk, pull back the trunk liner (which is just held in by some plastic clips), and you'll see the bolts holding the lights in place.
Most aftermarket options are "plug and play." This means you don't have to be an electrical engineer to figure it out. You unplug the factory harness, bolt the new light in, and plug the new connector into the same spot. The only slight hiccup can be the flasher relay. Since LEDs draw less power than traditional bulbs, your car might think a bulb is blown and blink really fast—this is called "hyperflashing." Most good tail light kits include a new relay that you just swap out under the dashboard to fix the timing.
Choosing the Right Finish
When you start shopping for toyota gt86 tail lights, you'll realize there are way more options than just "red."
- Smoked/Dark: These look amazing on white, silver, or black cars. They give the car a much meaner, more aggressive look. Just be careful with how dark you go—you still want people to see your brake lights during the day!
- Clear Lens/White Inner: This is a very specific "JDM" look. It's very clean and works well if you have a white car and you're going for a monochromatic aesthetic.
- Red Lens: This is the classic choice. It keeps the car looking "OEM plus"—meaning it looks like it could have come from the factory that way, just a lot better. If you have a red GT86, matching the tail light lens to the paint is a very sharp look.
Safety and Visibility
While we all care about aesthetics, we have to talk about safety for a second. The whole point of tail lights is so people don't rear-end you. Some of the cheaper, generic lights you find on random auction sites can be a bit dim, especially in direct sunlight.
That's why sticking to reputable brands is usually worth the extra cash. A high-quality set of toyota gt86 tail lights will use high-intensity LEDs that are actually brighter than the stock halogen bulbs. Plus, the sequential turn signal isn't just a party trick; it's actually very visible and draws attention to the fact that you're turning, which is never a bad thing when you're driving a car that sits as low as the 86.
Final Thoughts on the Upgrade
At the end of the day, your car should reflect your personality. Whether you want the sleek, modern look of the Kouki LEDs or the flashy, sequential vibes of the Valenti Revos, changing your toyota gt86 tail lights is a rite of passage for owners. It's one of those mods that you'll appreciate every single time you walk up to the car in a parking lot.
Just remember: take your time with the installation, definitely buy the upgraded gaskets, and make sure you're happy with the color choice before you pull the trigger. There's no better feeling than finishing a mod, stepping back, and realizing your car finally looks exactly how you imagined it. It's a small change in the grand scheme of a build, but the impact it has on the overall "vibe" of the car is massive. Happy modding!