another North American 2nd gen wagon question

[Yamazaki]

So I just got a grille from the US (I think they look better), and since it's for a '97 GT-B limited I figured it would fit. But it's a little taller, wider, but not as deep at the Japanese grille. So it sticks out a little at the bottom. My question is: where did I go wrong? What model should I have tried to get? Here's what I'm talking about (click thumbnail):
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/th_DSCF0956-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0956.jpg) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/th_DSCF0957-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0957.jpg)

[httrdd]

I know some people complain about gaps when installing their imported grills. You are having the opposite effect.

[mycargoesvroom]

I had no issues fitting my old GT-B grill on my 97. I was under the impression there were only two styles of grill, the tall and short.

[Huffer]

So I just got a grille from the US (I think they look better), and since it's for a '97 GT-B limited I figured it would fit.

You need a "L" or Brighton grille from a USDM vehicle. I'm assuming based on the picture that you bought a USDM GT grill.

[mycargoesvroom]

I would think you're right Huffer but then why do the GT-B grills fit USDM GT's perfectly? The "L" grills are considerably smaller and wouldn't fit a GT well at all.

[Huffer]

No idea. Without seeing both grills and both cars side by side the comparisons and differences are hard to make out.
I had a GTB grille on my old USDM GT and it left a 1/2" gap between bumper and grille. Width-wise it was fine.

[mycargoesvroom]

I think I see it now there is a gap on the GT with the GTB grill.

Here's the GTB grill on my GT:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/08/20110808_220037_820-1.jpg

Here's the GTB grill on a GTB:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/08/sickwagon-1.jpg

Looks like you need the smaller "L" grill for a perfect fit.

[httrdd]

Maybe not though. He has a GT sized hood on there. I am betting that 1/2" gap you have makes a huge difference when the grill is bigger. An L grill may cause his car to still have a gap. Someone measure an L grill.

[mycargoesvroom]

I think it might be the bumper making the difference. If you look on my car the JDM projectors have a slight gap at the bottom as well.

I'll look around and see if I can get some measurements on the L grill.

[Huffer]

The hood is the same. It's the bumper that causes the fitment issues.

It's always the same issue with the JDM grills. They aren't tall enough to fill the void. To make it perfect, you have to mod the bumper or install a JDM one.

[mycargoesvroom]

Dimensions on the L grill are roughly 29 3/8" x 3 /78"

[Wiscon_Mark]

I was told there were three sizes: Short, Medium, Tall

USDM:
L, Brighton: Short
GT, Outback: Tall

JDM:
95-96 (unsure on models): Short
97-99: Medium

I might not be completely accurate, but the JDM grilles never fit the GT or Outback bumpers perfectly. Some early ones have fit the L bumper though.

[Yamazaki]

The 2nd Gen Legacy started in '93 here....and '97 was it's last year. The 3rd Gen started as a '98 model.

[Dead91silvia]

Ok, this is not looking good for me... I just got a GT-B Limited bumper on the way and if my USDM SUS grill (tall) does not fit, I'm gonna be pissed! I'm not cutting up my bumper, thats for damn sure! And I dont really like the L7 grills much.

I have a cracked Outback grill (tall) that I can mod to fit my GT B bumper and make sure you dont cut it up for nothing. I have no problem doing that... I have 3 grills bumping around anyway, all the tall ones. Also it might solve a problem for me also...

Also, the L, LSI, and Brighton grills look like crap, but thats me. They just look cheesy.... The GT and OB ones are the same, just painted different colors. SUS is also tall, but I dig the small square design...

[Yamazaki]

Ok, this is not looking good for me... I just got a GT-B Limited bumper on the way and if my USDM SUS grill (tall) does not fit, I'm gonna be pissed! I'm not cutting up my bumper, thats for damn sure! And I dont really like the L7 grills much.

I have a cracked Outback grill (tall) that I can mod to fit my GT B bumper and make sure you dont cut it up for nothing. I have no problem doing that... I have 3 grills bumping around anyway, all the tall ones. Also it might solve a problem for me also...

Also, the L, LSI, and Brighton grills look like crap, but thats me. They just look cheesy.... The GT and OB ones are the same, just painted different colors. SUS is also tall, but I dig the small square design...
I feel the same way, that's why I got a grille from the US. It isn't too bad though. It just sticks out a little. I'm sure if I bothered to modify it just a little, it would fit. But I'm just too lazy... And I'm not going back to the old style.

[Dead91silvia]

I know it might have been covered... but I'll say it anyway... I did a little home work. Hope this helps...

Tall gills/low cut bumpers USDM:
97-GT (lip not painted)
98-99 GT (painted lip)
96-99 Outback (includes Limited)

Short grills/high cut bumpers USDM:
95 Outback (same as L)
95-96 GT
95-97 L, LSI, Brighton
98-99 L, LS, Brighton are wild cards. I have seen some with GT bumper, without fogs...

All hoods and head lights are the same design (other then one peace and two peace head lights [95-97/98-99]) and inter change on all 2nd gen Legacy's, no size changes. Only on grill and bumpers!

This is a good site to check parts interchange if your trying to figure something out for a USDM car. I use this for my business all the time.
http://car-part.com/

[Dead91silvia]

Ok, this is not looking good for me... I just got a GT-B Limited bumper on the way and if my USDM SUS grill (tall) does not fit, I'm gonna be pissed! I'm not cutting up my bumper, thats for damn sure! And I dont really like the L7 grills much.

I have a cracked Outback grill (tall) that I can mod to fit my GT B bumper and make sure you dont cut it up for nothing. I have no problem doing that... I have 3 grills bumping around anyway, all the tall ones. Also it might solve a problem for me also...

Also, the L, LSI, and Brighton grills look like crap, but thats me. They just look cheesy.... The GT and OB ones are the same, just painted different colors. SUS is also tall, but I dig the small square design...
I feel the same way, that's why I got a grille from the US. It isn't too bad though. It just sticks out a little. I'm sure if I bothered to modify it just a little, it would fit. But I'm just too lazy... And I'm not going back to the old style.

I'm still gonna play with fitment and see what I can come up with. I never really even thought about it. If I would have, I might have just done a Outback bumper and color matched it, but I just spent a butt load on the Limited bumper so I'm committed... :lol:

Keep your USDM one around, I'll see about making one fit and see what needs to be done to make it look right! :smt023 I'm still not cutting my Limited one though.... :smt005