Headlights

[SubieChik]

This sucked! But looks awesome :tup: :tup:

Amber lightbulbs FTL :tdown: Finally debadged it too.


Sorry about the attachments but I can't get to any photo hosting sites at work.

[urabus]

I need to find a buncha subies like that 2 hang out, holy crap does the whole neiborhood own a subaru

[SubieChik]

I need to find a buncha subies like that 2 hang out, holy crap does the whole neiborhood own a subaru

lol....no we had an install day at one of our friends house in Norfolk. It was a lot of fun. We have meets every tuesday night and the southside has meets every thursday nights. We have quite a bit of fun with our little Subie "car club".


That was later in the day too.....most of the people went home. The streets were lined with Subarus all the way to the end.

[han]

Fun stuff! Looks good too.

Are you afraid to show your rear end after the debadging?

[TSi+WRX]

SubieChik,

Since you're in VA, you may want to keep the bulbs amber - or at least go for "amber-when-on" bulbs, so that your night-time illumination profile keeps the front-end-amber theme, as well as preserving the amber for front turn-signals.

VA is typically pretty rough when it comes to enforcement of just about anything traffic/vehicle-code related, particularly when it comes to "Import Sport Compacts." You may fare better, in terms of not coming afoul of undue enforcement attention, if you at least kept some amber up front, particularly at-night, when, otherwise, it would be really, really noticeable.

:)

The SilverStar turn-signal bulbs have an "ion" look to them, and light-up amber (for both the parking/markers as well as the signals). During the daytime, depending on how ambient light hits it, it can appear, at-a-glance, to sometimes reflect amber, too, and may thus also serve to ward-off the evil-eye from enforcers.

If you want a more perfect "clear" area during the day, LEDs can help you achieve this effect.

In any case ->

http://www.legacygt.org/forums/vbpicgallery.php?do=big&p=16

That's my front housing (I've painted that middle "streak" metallic black, to match the headlight interior on the '05s as well as the factory grill trim - note that this was before I'd added the carbon-fiber Stanza eyeline), and that's with the SilverStar marker/signal bulb.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/TSi_WRX/frontjammers2.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/TSi_WRX/frontjammers1.jpg

Sorry for the dirty-car pictures :o , but as you can see from both the setting-sun picture and my night-time (marker/signals off) pictures, the SilverStars typically appear either completely clear, or just ever so slightly "ionized (driver's side light, in my garage pic)."

Hope this helps!

[havanisda]

Here in PA u can't clear the headlights. U need to have an amber "lens" or most places won't even inspect ya.:tdown: Also 70% tint is all thats allowed by law. :tdown: :tdown: P.S. SubieChik wheres the pic of u draped across the hood in a bikini? :D

[TSi+WRX]

Here in PA u can't clear the headlights. U need to have an amber "lens" or most places won't even inspect ya.:tdown:

I wonder what would happen if you modified this area so that it looks more like, say, the new Caddy CTS's front-end lighting elements. There appears to be a very thin "line" of the amber reflector running inside. Maybe you could do a custom piece? I know they sell such pieces at the various automotive parts retailers, but I've never tried trimming one to-size..... I don't know how successful that'd be. :confused:

[SubieChik]

Here in PA u can't clear the headlights. U need to have an amber "lens" or most places won't even inspect ya.:tdown: Also 70% tint is all thats allowed by law. :tdown: :tdown: P.S. SubieChik wheres the pic of u draped across the hood in a bikini? :D


Sorry I must have forgot to take that picture :lol: It wouldn't be a good sight to see right now though considering I just had a baby.....working on that though :D





VA sucks when it comes to anything to do with vehicles. Pretty much anything other than stock is illegal.....and they are quick to pull you over and find out here. I will probably leave in the amber bulb just for ticket sake, it still looks good to me anyways.





Are you afraid to show your rear end after the debadging?


lol.....no. I just havent' taken any pictures yet. I debadged it the day after those pictures were taken :)

[Dookie]

Sorry I must have forgot to take that picture :lol: It wouldn't be a good sight to see right now though considering I just had a baby.....working on that though :D




I don't care, I still wanna see :anypics:

[Dookie]

Depending on how far you want to break the law, this is what I did. In CA, as long as they blink amber there legal.

The bulbs are chrome when off and turn amber when on. Stock on left.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d731b3127ccebba8286ee80100000036100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA


Before:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d731b3127ccebba82bbba84d00000036100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA


After:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d731b3127ccebba828e769b800000036100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA

Close up:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d731b3127ccebba828c9699600000036100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA

[SubieChik]

Dookie where did you find those bulbs.

[Dookie]

I bought them from here... http://autolumination.com/3157_3156.htm.

Cost me about $10 bucks.

[han]

Sorry I must have forgot to take that picture :lol: It wouldn't be a good sight to see right now though considering I just had a baby.....working on that though :D
I don't care, I still wanna see :anypics:

I dont remember reading that, and actually re-read the thread looking for that post by subiechik. Shame on you dookie.

I think someone said you can buy a silver spray paint, and spray stock orange bulb, and it will still flash orange. I do'nt know if he was "yanking my chain" or if it actually true.

[havanisda]

I wonder what would happen if you modified this area so that it looks more like, say, the new Caddy CTS's front-end lighting elements. There appears to be a very thin "line" of the amber reflector running inside. Maybe you could do a custom piece? I know they sell such pieces at the various automotive parts retailers, but I've never tried trimming one to-size..... I don't know how successful that'd be. :confused: I'd like 2 see how it would look 2 it would be nice 2 have a custom light like that but I'm not gonna take my headlights apart 2 try, (I'm not that skilled) I have enuf lighting problems already. I noticed my other foglight is out on the way 2 work 2nite. Thats 2 fogs and a headlight in 6k miles.:tdown:

[TSi+WRX]

^ Oh man, that sucks. :(

I agree - just baking the headlights "to try" wouldn't be worth it.

[havanisda]

I guess I should give my car the benefit of the doubt. I haven't replaced any single bulb more than once. 4 all I know I replaced the factory bulbs that lasted +40k miles but I have a hard time convincin' myself of that. :rolleyes:

[Dookie]

I don't understand why people think clearing the headlights is a hard and difficult task. It's harder to change the spark plugs than this.

Pop the bumper off
Pop the headlamps out
Bake for 10 mins @ 245 degrees or use a heat gun (which is what I did)
Pull apart
Deamber
Reheat again for 10 mins
Press back together
Reassemble


You can do this mod in less than 1 hour.

[havanisda]

I'm just afraid I'm not gonna get a good seal then when its back on I'm gonna get water in there. :headwall: I thought I read somewhere on .com its happened.

[Dookie]

Once you press the headlamps back together, use silicone to fill in the gap all the way around. I haven't had any problems yet with water. Some of the guys on .com didn't us silicone to fill in the gap between the two pieces.

[havanisda]

The only silicone I get close 2 is..........well I don't have 2 tell u Dook u live in Cali. :D ( o )( o )

[Dookie]

Now your speaking my language.....:evilbanana: :rofl:

[TSi+WRX]

I don't understand why people think clearing the headlights is a hard and difficult task. It's harder to change the spark plugs than this.


^ Ain't gonna argue the spark-plug bit :lol: - that sucked! :tdown:

Although the first time I did it, it took me, like, 4 hours, total :o , I'm pretty sure I can do it in under an hour, now - now that I've got the proper muscle-memory. The first side took me darned near 2 and 1/2 hours, and the other took barely 40 minutes.

But honestly, I think headlight clearing is one of those things where for some people, I truly can see how it might not be "worth the trouble." :) Sure, to many, it looks great, and is an aesthetic "must-do," but to others, it's borderline, and I can see where the trouble one has to go to in terms of pulling all the components, baking, and then re-sealing (and the inherent risk of later running into condensation/leak issues, which would necessitate a repeat of the original steps) would be a lot to ask.

I guess it's all relative.

[SubieChik]

I don't understand why people think clearing the headlights is a hard and difficult task. It's harder to change the spark plugs than this.

Pop the bumper off
Pop the headlamps out
Bake for 10 mins @ 245 degrees or use a heat gun (which is what I did)
Pull apart
Deamber
Reheat again for 10 mins
Press back together
Reassemble


You can do this mod in less than 1 hour.

:rofl: Took me 4 hours....now if I had to do it again, it would probably take less than an hour.

[RobE]

melon shooter?

[Bskey]

Havanista,
I used to have tons of the orange reflectors laying around. I bet someone who has cleared their lights could send them to you, you could cut them to a cool design, then decide if tearing apart your headlights would be worth it.

[havanisda]

Havanisda,
I used to have tons of the orange reflectors laying around. I bet someone who has cleared their lights could send them to you, you could cut them to a cool design, then decide if tearing apart your headlights would be worth it. I think I'll pass, I already go thru more lights than Wal-Mart @ Christmas time.:lol:

[daillest08]

Im a Subaru owner and would like to join the club. I found this site because of a customer who came into my job wit a Impreza. Where are the meeting over southside on thursdays or wateva.lol

[Dookie]

Im a Subaru owner and would like to join the club. I found this site because of a customer who came into my job wit a Impreza. Where are the meeting over southside on thursdays or wateva.lol

Try this forum..... http://www.legacygt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=30

[KA82]

love the '05 headlights

so i bought some to do a bixenon setup

[han]

Nice! I am mixed about which HID's to go with. KIT or retro.

[TSi+WRX]

Full retros FTW, but honestly, on the LGTs, even a PnP kit ain't bad. :)

[SubieChik]

I want some HIDs too...although I love my lights now, I have silverstar ultras in my headlights and fog lights :tup:

[KA82]

Nice! I am mixed about which HID's to go with. KIT or retro.

full retro or ill jack your ride

[daillest08]

I just put HID headlights in my car. I found them on ebay for 25.00. I lov um. they look even better then the cars wit the factory ones.

[SubieChik]

I need some HIDs so I can blind people like this :lol:


http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/SubieChik/123/BiLLiE082.jpg

[han]

Some STi people I were with says that they HID suxors in the night in the mountains, saying "HID are worthless" and then a 92 turbo legacy led the pack in the mountains with his original headlights. I would have led the pack, if I knew the area.

[Bskey]

HID's are great in the mountains! They are crazy! Nice flat wide pattern, clean, happy.

[SubieChik]

HID's are great in the mountains! They are crazy! Nice flat wide pattern, clean, happy.

Wider pattern than stock?? Cause I can't see for crap now....and I have awesome bulbs.

[TSi+WRX]

It's not the bulbs, it's the optics.

This is why a full-optics retrofit is going to essentially "pay for itself" in terms of justifying both its added cost as well as labor/time.

Yes, even with a "plug-and-play" bulb-ballast-ignitor kit, you can expect a bit more usable light in terms of "wider pattern" (not really, as it's just that it is so bright that it makes the "edge lighting," that's weak, with your current incandescents, now visible and usable), but it's nowhere near what a good true-optics full-retrofit will be able to bring you.

---

I honestly can't understand why "the Impreza guys" would say that HIDs are worthless for their type of driving.

I'd imagine that they may have experienced improper aftermarket kits, or inferior/not-well-thought-out retrofits, thus biasing their opinions.

In all honesty, HIDs, properly done, should offer much superior performance over standard incandescent low and high-beams under their typical driving conditions - with perhaps only HIR high-beams and/or dedicated auxiliary low-beams, true "driving lights" or "pencil beams," being superior, under certain special circumstances.

[KA82]

^ you've done a retro, correct?

[han]

The impreza guys were the stock STi HID's. Actually, all the imprezas were STi's and all of them complained.

[KA82]

bumch of wankers

[TSi+WRX]

han, that's really strange. But perhaps the older body-style STis (which did not use the projector setups) didn't have optimized reflectors (i.e. OEM design lacking), or, alternatively, their bulbs may have aged to the point that they were getting more "blue shift" than true, bright, stark white (and yes, this can and will happen to all HID bulbs).

I really can't understand why they say what they did, except for personal-preference. The data truly is there to support that "whiter/brighter" does indeed do "better," on a quantitative basis.

----

KA82 - No, I have *not* done anything to my headlights, outside of replacing the low-beams with a 65W solution, and the high-beams with an HIR1 solution.

I just don't feel that the BL/BP chassis Legacy needs much help in this respect - that the time/trouble it would cost me to do the retro isn't worth my perceived gains in the end.

I've done full-optics retros before, on my DSMs, and I just didn't see the need on the LGT. :)

Personal preference. YMMV. :)

[Dookie]

Dookster got new BLING last night!!! Thanks to our new member Hmoob_gt.


Before - with the black inners.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d731b3127ccebba828e769b800000036100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA


After - with the chrome inners
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd10b3127cceb7918101181400000026100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA


And of coarse, the before and after of the de-ambers.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd10b3127cceb79181f718e200000026100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA

:D

[TSi+WRX]

Nice!

I'm not usually a fan of "more chrome," but on a silver-colored car, that does look classy!

[han]

Looks good both ways.

[havanisda]

Looks good both ways.So your bi? :eek2:

[andrew.anderson]

Dookster got new BLING last night!!! Thanks to our new member Hmoob_gt.


Before - with the black inners.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d731b3127ccebba828e769b800000036100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA


After - with the chrome inners
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd10b3127cceb7918101181400000026100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA


And of coarse, the before and after of the de-ambers.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd10b3127cceb79181f718e200000026100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA

:D

Glad you took the amber out.

As far as the chrome stuff...whatever, does change much as far as I am concerned.

[han]

So your bi? :eek2:
Bi is (pronounced bee [translated to korean is rain {he is popular singer/actor}])
http://myfilmblogs.com/sinemakorea/files/2007/10/bi-rain.jpg

[andrew.anderson]

Whats with the gay pics. :mad:

Come on now. :(

[havanisda]

Whats with the gay pics. :mad:

Come on now. :(You're more than welcome 2 post pix of the wife. :tup:

[han]

Whats with the gay pics. :mad:

Come on now. :(

Takes one to know one...

[andrew.anderson]

Takes one to know one...

witty :rolleyes:

[KA82]

hahahaha han ....bahahahaha

[Dookie]

Subscribe.....oh wait...I'm already subscribed.



:lol: :lol: This thread is starting to deliver.

[KA82]

the gayness you mean?

[Dookie]

It's always funny watching 2 gay guys fighting.

[KA82]

i usually look the other way when they start talking

[Dookie]

I don't, I like to egg them on. "Slap him you little b!tch!!!":evilbanana:

[KA82]

headlights look great dooks

did you just trade your '05 with '06 lights? straight up?

[Dookie]

'05 with '07

[Bskey]

I like the swap!

[ciadrew]

I just cleared my headlights two weeks ago, but due to a tiny accident back in november my right headlight is still fogging up. I actually dumped about 2 cups of water out of the housing it last time i did this! :lol: Guess i'll use this long weekend to rip the font off and try to reseal it again.


Dookie, where'd u get the pink emblem?...or did u do it yourself?


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd10b3127cceb7918101181400000026100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA

[Dookie]

Made it myself, and I painted it red. It looks pink in that pic, but it's red.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d731b3127ccebba8f9c6a85900000036100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA


If you haven't done it before it's very easy.

1) Pull emblem off (double sided tape on back) from it's bracket.
2) Sand off all blue/black on the back using 220 grit.
3) Brush on enamel paint (testors model paint works great) of your choice.
4) Wait a few hrs before appling double sided tape to the bracket.

[SubieChik]

Made it myself, and I painted it red. It looks pink in that pic, but it's red.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d731b3127ccebba8f9c6a85900000036100AZtHDZo1bt2 KA


If you haven't done it before it's very easy.

1) Pull emblem off (double sided tape on back) from it's bracket.
2) Sand off all blue/black on the back using 220 grit.
3) Brush on enamel paint (testors model paint works great) of your choice.
4) Wait a few hrs before appling double sided tape to the bracket.

When you sand it wouldn't you sand off the Subaru logo??

[Dookie]

Nope. You'll be sanding the back of it, not the front. The back is flat and the stars are a little harder to sand, because they're set in deeper. So it's easy to just sand the back of it and once you paint it, all the sanding groves disappear. It's like MAGIC, YO!!

[Mitch]

SC? You thinking of doing this? It's pretty easy. I did it on my RS. First mod I think.

[SubieChik]

SC? You thinking of doing this? It's pretty easy. I did it on my RS. First mod I think.


Hmmm....I dunno. I kinda like the blue.

[Dookie]

I think you need some pink ones, since you're a girl....:p

[ih8vtec13]

Why is this the only new post? You guys should be ashamed to call your self post whores.

[Dookie]

It's because I'm in training FOOL! Just wait till I get back. I'll become a Post Slut!!. :lol:

[SubieChik]

Why is this the only new post? You guys should be ashamed to call your self post whores.

Yea I know! I was thinking about that, but I have red brakes and red lug nuts.....I would throw off the color scheme with pink.

[Dookie]

Go red then. :rolleyes:

[ih8vtec13]

yeah go red!!!!

wow first post here in a while :lol:

[Bskey]

I like pink a lot... uhh... but red would look cool too! Personally I'd paint your lugs and calipers blue to match the logo.

[Dookie]

I like pink a lot...

:rofl:

[LGT4ME]

Does anyone know where i can find some aftermarket headlights? My brother just got "Angel Eyes" for his Jetta and they look f'in sweet! My headlights are fogged from oxidation, and i have buffed them out too many times now its getting to be a pain in the a$$....:mad:

[SubieChik]

I have never heard of anyone offering aftermarket headlights for the Legacy.

You mean the whole headlight and housing right??

Angel eyes is usually a mod that is done to your exisiting headlights.....I think.

[TSi+WRX]

^ Correct on all counts.

Unfortunately, there are still no aftermarket headlights available for the LGT.

Cost-wise, it's going to be a pretty penny to source replacement headlamps from a dealer (or even a discount parts source, such as 1st Subaru Parts), it may be nearly as costly as trying to pursue JDM HIDs (for which you'd need to reverse the cut-off-shield, in order to get them to be viable for LHD/stateside usage) from JDM-parts Vendors.

The other possibility would be to source second-hand headlamp units, which would be the most cost-effective, but quality will vary depending on the source. The lucky thing is that this is still a very tight community, and sellers are very trustworthy. I just sourced a slightly damaged left one (the seller was perfectly honest about the condition of this one), with a perfect right, for about $200, shipped.

As for the "Angel Eyes" -->

http://www.legacygt.org/forums/vbpicgallery.php?do=big&p=16

That's mine. RPM CCFL DDEs, with painted "streaks" - but that's prior to my fitment of the carbon-fiber Stanza Development Lab's eyelines.

I composed a walk-through for this on .com , you can read all about how to do it, there. :)

[Dookie]

There is also an easy fix to oxidizing headlamps.

1) Lightly sand down the headlamp with 1500 or 2000 grit sand paper.
2) Then spray clearcoat over it. Do at least 3 coats.

Presto! New headlamps.

[havanisda]

Speakin of new headlamps. How do I get mine 2 look like this?
http://members.cox.net/ohmer_stuff/tn_halo1.jpg
What r they, how much do they cost and how ez is it 2 DIY?

[TSi+WRX]

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19784

That's my walk-through on .com - :)

I'm not sure, in the photo you cited, if that person used the RPM CCFL DDEs, or if he/she used a different CCFL set. Also, I don't know the color-temperature of that particular CCFL set.

Mine, as you saw on this pic:

http://www.legacygt.org/forums/vbpicgallery.php?do=big&p=16

- are "white" ones. The ones in the picture you cited look a bit blue.

Also, those are likely some type of amber bulbs in the fogs, either that, or amber film.

[havanisda]

OMG Allen thats way 2 involved 4 me I would probably pay some1 a small fortune b4 attempting 2 do that myself. When/if u decide to get rid of your car ( I know u'd never dream of it) lemme know how much u want 4 'em. Assuming it would be simple to install in my car w/everything u've already done. Also u should take a pic of yours like that w/the low beams off and see how it compares 2 the 1 I posted, I'd prefer the white over the blue anyway.

[TSi+WRX]

^ I'll try to get out to take a pic, but I can't promise anything....the sun goes down awfully late around here, and by then, Anna's in-bed.

The problem now is that she just started wanting to sleep with the door open (before, she wanted her door hermetically sealed, I kid you not). That, combined with the fact that we live in an older house, with hardwood floors....well, you can imagine. ;)

I'll keep you in-mind for when/if I do get rid of her..... I've already got another set of headlights for when I "revert to stock."

I was just debating with my buddy the other day - what car would I get next. My conclusion was that nothing had enough bang-for-the-buck, and the ones that I like cost too much for me to afford! :lol:

[havanisda]

I'd try and keep mine a long time but I put like 15k miles on her/year and I'm already @ 55k miles (which is probably double what u got) but who knows. I never had a car more than like 3 yrs but this might be:
http://www.tracksounds.com/images/misc/the_one_big_temp.jpg

[TSi+WRX]

^ :lol:

Actually, I've barely turned 30K miles. :o

Lowest mileage I've ever had. Likely because of Anna - and the fact that I now go nowhere ! :lol:

[SubieChik]

I'd try and keep mine a long time but I put like 15k miles on her/year and I'm already @ 55k miles (which is probably double what u got) but who knows. I never had a car more than like 3 yrs but this might be:


I'm at 55K too! http://smiliesftw.com/x/runawaycrying.gif (http://smiliesftw.com)

[Dookie]

Actually, I've barely turned 30K miles. :o

Lowest mileage I've ever had. Likely because of Anna - and the fact that I now go nowhere ! :lol:

Damn, that must be one fast grocery store commuter.:lol:


I'm going on 54k.

[havanisda]

So we're all around the same mileage. I had an injector fail, Dooks had a fan relay/ECU replacement IIRC and SC any issues so far?

[TSi+WRX]

Damn, that must be one fast grocery store commuter.:lol:


Not fast - just decently quick. :o There's a few real monsters here in my parts, and until I go much-bigger-turbo (which I'm honestly not sure I'll do), I won't feel comfortable calling Winky "fast." :p

Work's a 15 minute ride through local streets. I put less miles on her going to and from work for a day than most people will run simply training for a marathon. ;)

Picking up the baby from my sister-in-law's place in the afternoon, though, adds up to about 100 miles a week. Yep, I'm a prime candidate for a "low mileage lease." :lol:

I usually end up taking her on the highway once a week, just to clear out the injectors with a romp or two up a few on-ramps.