Impreza OBS front bumper on a BG?

[kookookachew]

I was at the local Pick-n-Pull for a quick look around and I found something rather interesting. I was walking along and looked at a white '99 30th anniversary, that just looked... wrong. Well after looking for a few seconds, I noticed why, it had an Impreza OBS front bumper and headlights!!

This got me thinking since my front bumper is getting a bit beat-up. Had some paint start peeling after some nasty rock-chips, and also have a nice gash thanks to an idiot friend who ran into me. There just happens to be a perfect condition front bumper off of an OBS at the same place with the factory fogs too.

So, any ideas on just what kind of project this would be to do? Can I use the stock Outback bumper beam, headlights and grill, maybe slightly modded? Or do I have to go full-out and grab the head-light header panel, headlights, grill, bumper, bumper beam etc?

Also, what do you guys think? I was thinking if it didn't take replacing the entire front end and tons of custom fabrication, it would be a cool project since I would have a unique look.

I've included some pics of the white Legacy that had the Impreza bumper, and of the OBS bumper that I would use, oh and one of my Outback for good measure ;)

Don't mind the Leg GT grill, my buddy just set it there to see if it would fit.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120106102816jpgt1325890667-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120106102807jpgt1325890697-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120106114235jpgt1325890723-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20110821165909jpgt1315150755-1.jpg

[harrymaneuvers]

Those are still 2nd gen legacy headlights in the picture... not OBS lights.


I dont think the OBS lights would fit the legacy grill and I know the taller grill would need to sit down slightly on the OBS bumper as the 97-99 bumpers have an indent for the grill to rest in.


I think there would need to be some slight modding to the hood too.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3225/961/33060480017_large.jpg

[geckoboy86]

So, any ideas on just what kind of project this would be to do? Can I use the stock Outback bumper beam, headlights and grill, maybe slightly modded? Or do I have to go full-out and grab the head-light header panel, headlights, grill, bumper, bumper beam etc?

Also, what do you guys think? I was thinking if it didn't take replacing the entire front end and tons of custom fabrication, it would be a cool project since I would have a unique look.

You're getting into something like my project.
You will need the Impreza bumper beam, Bumper cover, Fogs. As for the Outback/LGT parts need would be the headlights, grille.

Customizing of the Impreza bumper will be need.
--The top corner of the bumper at the fender will need to be trimmed. And new holes drilled in the bumper for mounting it to the fender.
--Wheel liner will need to be attached in a new way. I made a plate to connect the bumper to the fender liner.
--New top mounting holes will be needed in the bumper cover. The existing ones will not work except for middle. So I drilled out the next 2 out.

There is an issue with doing this that I am still working on. Its the gap under the headlights.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/IMG_2867JPG-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/IMG_2866JPG-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/IMG_2871JPG-1.jpg

[kookookachew]

Ahh, ok, thanks a bunch guys. I didn't notice the gap issue at all when I looked at the Legacy in the junkyard, (was in a bit of a hurry). That actually puts me off a bit. Funny gaps annoy the crap out of me...

Also, haha, I guess the Leg headlights in the junkyard threw me off without the corners installed, just didn't look right so I figured they were out of an Impreza too.

But that gap just gives me a new challenge :), I think it would be neat to do, something different you know?

And geckoboy; that is coming along great! I'd love to opt for one of those bumpers instead, but they cost and arm and a leg, and I'd have to have it custom painted $$$, I can get that whole OBS bumper with fogs for $40, and the bumper beam for $10! This might be a good project to begin working on a custom grill too! I've seen some really nice ones out there, and I've been wanting to make one, just never had the motivation.

[kookookachew]

Well, I went ahead and did it! All-in-all, it was very simple. I still need to find something to fill the goofy gap below the headlights, but that requires a few trips to Lowes.

Heres some preliminary pics, sorry about the quality, I'll grab some more finished product picks tomorrow in the day-light.

Quick comparison..

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120107191801jpgt1326003503-1.jpg

Any ideas on how to fill the gap?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120108003623jpgt1326003878-2.jpg

Done for tonight, wired up the fogs, and the front lights. The front lights are now blinkers and are pretty neat. Also gained a couple of inches under the bumper for an increased approach angle.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120108004118jpgt1326003910-1.jpg

[r3v_v3ng3]

You probably need to add/weld plastic under those headlights to fill in the gap and use flex filler to shape it

[kookookachew]

Yep, that would probably be the most professional, but I was also just planning a simple run to lowes, because you never know what you might find, I've seen a few people make really nice bumper lips out of garage door parts!

[kookookachew]

Grabbed some quick daylight pics...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120108132533jpgt1326048567-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120108132617jpgt1326048634-2.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/20120108132624jpgt1326048700-1.jpg


In this pic, you can see the bars on either side of the license plate that I'd like to cut out so that I can mount some circular Hellas, or even my old Outback fogs (which were brighter than my high-beams).
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/01/201201081326451jpgt1326049075-2.jpg

[r3v_v3ng3]

Have you tried the short grill off the 95-97?

[Matty2Hotty]

You can always buy my jdm mesh short grill, would make it 10x better!

[kookookachew]

I am going to be making a custom mesh grill using the short grill from an earlier Legacy. Going to be painting the chrome surround the Rio Red to match the body, with black mesh and some sort of custom logo in the center of the mesh.

[anothernord]

Wow, that's shweet! If you can find a way to fill the gap underneath the headlights, it would look awesome.

[StatGSR]

hmmm, not a huge fan, it just seems to pig nosed from the side now. if it wasn't for the side profile i would say it looks pretty darn good.

[geckoboy86]

hmmm, not a huge fan, it just seems to pig nosed from the side now. if it wasn't for the side profile i would say it looks pretty darn good.

I like how short my nose is with the RS bumper. It kinda reminds me of the nose from a Nissan GT-R R34. It was rather flat.