rkrenicki's 2004 US "RS30" - The End.. 2019-12-20

[rkrenicki]

I figure I should do an MR1 post for my car with the ongoing changes I am making with my car!

I bought this car in February of 2012 from Carlos at Secor Subaru in New London, CT. I had been on the hunt for a newer generation Outback to replace my aging 96 BG w/206k on it. I was originally looking at H6 wagons due to them being cheaper and just outright replace the one that I had, but in the back of my mind I really missed the sedan form factor. When I found this car local with the H6 and it not being that Seafoam Green that everyone seems to have, I decided that it was the car for me. I had never bought a car from a dealer before, but it ended up being a real smooth process thanks to Carlos and the rest of the people at Secor. Since this is a sedan, that would leave me without a larger vehicle capable of moving things, I decided to go ahead and keep the BG as well.. so now we are a 2 Subaru family once again!

This is the only really decent photo that I have, and it was still on the lot at Secor at the time.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/8056954363_9aa6b26a05_ojpeg-1.jpg

Since then, I have been "slowly" converting the car into a Subaru Legacy RS30 replica. I am not ending up with a 100% accurate replica, but it is close enough for me to call it an "RS30". Currently, the front end is fully converted, tinted rear glass and rear wiper, and the badging has been fully changed over.

Front offset shot:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_2066-1.jpg

Front end closeup:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_2065-1.jpg

Side shot:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_2068-1.jpg

Rear three quarter shot:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_2071-1.jpg

Overall Dashboard shot:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1864_zps6485ee2d-1.jpg


Modifications so far



Japanese D type HID Headlights converted to flat beam pattern and wired the Turn Assist lights
Japanese Smoked Legacy tail lights and finisher garnish
Japanese A~C Type Blitzen Rear Spoiler
US Legacy Front Fenders
US Legacy Doors
Japanese B4 Factory-tinted rear door windows
Japanese B4 Factory-tinted rear windshield
Japanese B4 rear windshield wiper and washer
NMO Antenna mount on trunk lid
Mistuba Alpha II Compact Horns
Japanese 3rd Gen Blitzen Wheels with Primewell PZ-900 215/45ZR17 tires (Summer setup)
Japanese RS30 badge
US 4th Gen Legacy "Subaru" badge
BP/BL Side Mirrors converted for BE/BH use
Independent fog light modification




UK Market D type BFM Gauge Cluster (85015AE110 version) with a Dakota Digital SGI-5C adapter for accuracy.
Onstar Delete
Japanese Legacy S401 Red Hazard switch
D-type Headlight Leveler switch (Takes place of Front Wiper De-icer switch)
US Forester SG Wiper Control stalk
Connected Front Wiper De-icer system and side mirror heaters into Rear Defogger system
Modified Keyless Entry for single-stage unlock
Auto HVAC controls Modified for Metric temperature readout
Full Black/Grey interior swap from a US Legacy and Outback.
Brand new Grey carpet and Grey "Legacy" branded mats
Japanese Legacy B4 trunk mat
Forester XT Steering Wheel
Sportshift mode selector assembly from a 2003 Legacy GT




Pioneer AVH-1300NEX Carplay Head Unit
Kenwood KFC-1666S 16mm two-way Speakers
SiriusXM SXV300 Satellite Radio
Generic Keystone Reverse Camera mounted on Center Garnish.




KnuKonceptz 4GA CCA Grounding upgrade
DC Power Engineering 180 AMP high output alternator
Optima Red Top Group 35 Battery




Front
Outback Subframe Spacer Delete
KYB Legacy Struts
Original Outback Sedan springs
Japanese Aluminum Control Arms from Legacy S401
Whiteline W51709A Polyurethane LCA Bushings
19mm Front Sway Bar from 2nd Gen Legacy L (-2mm from stock) [20410AA050]
Moog K750049 Front Swaybar links
Legacy Steering Rack (16.5:1 Ratio)
Impreza 06-07 WRX 4pot Calipers [26292FE041, 26292FE051]
Centric "e-Coated" 120.47018 Rotors
StopTech 309.11820 Street Performance Brake Pads
StopTech 950.47005 Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit

Rear
Outback Subframe Spacer Delete
KYB Legacy Shocks
Original Outback Sedan Springs
Whiteline W63398 Trailing Arm bushings
2 pot Brembos from Japanese Legacy S401 [26692FE020, 26692FE012]
Japanese S401 trailing arms w/Backing Plate and Parking Brake Assembly
Centric High Carbon 125.47020 Rotors (2004 STI Fitment)
StopTech 309.09610 Street Performance Brake Pads
Japanese STI Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines [ST2655066050]





Currently stock




None

[rkrenicki]

It looks to be a nice day today, so I am going to go around and do a little photo shoot with my car this afternoon and post pictures once I am done!

[Yamazaki]

Finally! I've been waiting for you to do a Member's Ride page. And for the record, you have a BEE. A BE5 is a 2.0L Legacy.

[rkrenicki]

Right right.. I had forgotten about the E suffix for the 3.0. I just got back from a fresh wash and photo shoot, so I will be throwing up some photos here pretty shortly.

[Yamazaki]

I just got back from a fresh wash and photo shoot, so I will be throwing up some photos here pretty shortly.
Awesome. I can't wait. Make sure you have interior shots too.

[rkrenicki]

It was difficult to get some interiors, since I only had my Canon Nifty-Fifty lens with me.. and it wasn't really wide enough of an angle to take any decent photos, but I did what I could. I am finishing the editing right now and should be uploading them in a few minutes.

EDIT: there we go, all of the interior shots were pretty much crap with the 50mm, so I grabbed my 18-55mm lens, and snapped off a few of the dash real fast at 18mm.

I have no real decent photos between the above from the day I bought her, to anything below which is as of today (2012/10/05).

I used the fairly good automatic car-was today, and took her to the old high school parking lot where I could get some decent photos without a lot of cars and houses around.

First, we start with the frontal 3/4 shot:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1017-1.jpg

And the rear 3/4 shot:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1019-1.jpg

Rear, straight on:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1022-1.jpg

Closeup of stock spoiler, antenna, and rear lights:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1023-1.jpg

NMO mount on trunk lid:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1024-1.jpg

JDM HIDs:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1025-1.jpg

Front, lights off:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1027-1.jpg

Front, parking lights only:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1029-1.jpg

Front, Headlights and Fogs on:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1030-1.jpg

[amgarrety]

Thank you! I was waiting for this thread. I can't get over how beautiful and clean this car is. It's really nice seeing one in silver too.

I'm really impressed by your attention to detail with the car. Everything is so nice and clean, and the headlights look beautiful. I kind of like the black trim going around the bottom too. The BFM is killing me, it just looks so nice. I'm sure a lot of it is your photography but this really is a stunning car.

Subscribed.

[rkrenicki]

I am very much into keeping the basic stock appearance. I am not into ricing up a car with big nasty body kits or hacking up an interior, but I am a big supporter of sportier OE or OE clone parts.

On my to-do list is suspension upgrades, and possibly brakes however these are working quite well the way they are. I am also looking into possibly changing out the rear lights with JDM and perhaps the grille too with JDM.

Amgarrety: where did you find that B4 badge you are using? I have been keeping my eye out for those for a bit and I am having no luck.

As for my photos, the BFM halos look a fantastic orange in these pictures, however they are much closer to gold in real life.. I kind of wish they were as orange as these pictures.. heh

I will be grabbing my pocket camera today to snag some interior shots since it has a wider angle lens than any of my DSLR lenses, but it is basically bone stock so not a whole lot to look at other than the blue streaks from some melted crayons on the back seat, lol.

[chrish8r]

H6 power and some JDM goodies. Very nice looking!!

[rkrenicki]

As promised, interior shots!

Front seat! If you look really carefully, you can see the front end of my 96 OBW in the windshield next to my landlords junk-filled garage..
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_2457-1.jpg


Back seat!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_2458-1.jpg


Front seat interior:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_2460-1.jpg

Back seat, with my daughter hamming it up:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_2462-1.jpg

[Yamazaki]

Wow, your car is soooo clean! I've stripped mine down to the bare metal and put it back together and it isn't that clean....

[amgarrety]

Wow that is incredible for the car being 8 years old. You definitely got a great car.

As for the B4 badge, I had to email the owner of Celtic Motorsports to order one for me, and he ended up ordering somewhere in the neighborhood of 5, brand new from factory with the protective film still on the back. He sold one to me and sold a few on eBay, but he might still have some left.

Here is the link. It says sold out, but I wouldn't hesitate to email him and ask just to make sure. Believe me, it took me months to find that badge until this guy finally pulled through for me.

http://www.celticmotorsport.com/catalog ... 1ba34cf504 (http://www.celticmotorsport.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1504&osCsid=8cd58c4da443229d307f491ba34cf504)

[rkrenicki]

Wow, your car is soooo clean! I've stripped mine down to the bare metal and put it back together and it isn't that clean....


Hah.. just dont look in my trunk.. I have a good portion of my tools, parts for my incomplete projects, and the old headlights back there right now.. Oh, and all of the reusable grocery bags shoved into one corner as well..

[octain11]

very nice and clean ride, how did you do the BFM Gauge Cluster mod, was it a direct fit? i like the NMO antenna, is that for gps?

[rkrenicki]

The BFM has its own thread here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=25730 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=25730)

The NMO mount is for a 144mhz/440mhz whip antenna. I do not use my Amateur Radio license often, but for the long trips or emergencies, I like to have it available.

[octain11]

nice, love the H6, working on a H6 long block myself, cant wait to have it in my legacy

[octain11]

wish i can do that BFM mod, but looks expensive, and i hate wiring

[rougeben83]

That's a really nice and clean outback sedan!

[rkrenicki]

I finally located myself a headlight leveling switch for this car, but it will not be here for at least a week.. The only one I could find was the entire trim panel with the three switch locations from a JDM car, so I guess I will have an extra foglight switch as well.

The next issue I have is what to do with it, as all three switch locations are filled on my car.. Fog, Cruise, and Wiper heaters.. I guess if I can hack cruise to be permanently enabled, that would work.. Or is there a cruise joystick from another generation that has a button on it end for enable that I can hack in?

In other news, I completely forgot to put the Transmission cooler in my list of mods, so that has been added, hah!

[amgarrety]

The BL and BP incorporate the cruise on/off onto the cruise stalk itself. It's like our cruise stalk, bu with that little button you're looking for on the end of it.

[rkrenicki]

Looks like the mounting tabs between the two different cruise switches are quite different.. It might be easier to put a whole steering wheel on from a 4th gen instead..

[Yamazaki]

The next issue I have is what to do with it, as all three switch locations are filled on my car.. Fog, Cruise, and Wiper heaters.. I guess if I can hack cruise to be permanently enabled, that would work.. Or is there a cruise joystick from another generation that has a button on it end for enable that I can hack in?

I planned to tie the wiper heater into the mirror heater. Then one button and it turns on all the heated elements.

[rkrenicki]

Oh, that is an excellent idea. Then again I did have the thought of putting on the JDM folding mirrors at some point in the future...

[amgarrety]

Oh, that is an excellent idea. Then again I did have the thought of putting on the JDM folding mirrors at some point in the future...

While they are cool, I find them generally useless in everyday life. I feel like it is one of those things you install and play with for about two weeks, but then forget about, unless you have a tight garage or park on the street in a city. Not to shoot it down or anything, but for the purpose of simplifying things, I would rather have heated mirrors than power folding mirrors. Regardless of which way you go, you'll still have no need for a mirror heating switch. It'll either be tied in with your windshield heater, or not needed at all.

[rkrenicki]

There was that thought too.. I have a hard time convincing myself that they are worth the $200 to get them, but they are pretty cool, heh...

[Yamazaki]

A a person with the Japanese mirrors (on my impreza) and heated mirrors (on the Outback), I can tell you that because of the difficulty adjusting the Japanese mirrors and the convenience of the heated mirrors (esp. in colder climates), the heated is by far a better choice. You'll be annoyed with the japanese mirrors, I can almost guarantee it.

[rkrenicki]

Alright, that answers that!

So, I will look into tying the wiper heater into the mirror defroster, that should be a fairly simple conversion.

[rkrenicki]

It looks like my Headlamp leveler switch is arriving today at my home, apparently the guy sent it via EMS, so it only took 2 days!

I also found and purchased a JDM Red Hazard switch, so that will be going in at some point..

I also bought a JDM auto climate control for the sole purpose of figuring out how it is configured for Celsius. I know that the unit itself will not fit in my trim, but I am sure that there must be a simple jumper or software difference between the USDM one and the JDM one, as I can see that they use the same vacuum fluorescent display with both units on it. In theory, I hope to be able to rig up a switch somewhere to change the readout between F and C based on what I learn from comparing the two units.

[amgarrety]

It looks like my Headlamp leveler switch is arriving today at my home, apparently the guy sent it via EMS, so it only took 2 days!

Lucky! Out of cost, I had mine shipped SAL (EMS was $13 more expensive), and it hasn't arrived yet. I'm hoping to see it today, because based off of the 8-10 day shipping schedule of SAL, it should be here by tomorrow at latest.

[rkrenicki]

SAL has always been quick for me, I generally get it in under a week. I guess this might have been too large due to it being that whole trim panel to ship via SAL.

[Huffer]

Can I ask where you are buying these items from?

[rkrenicki]

eBay is my only real option for JDM parts at this point. But, I am working on building some relationships in the land of the rising sun to get them a little more directly.

I know that some of my parts have actually come from other countries, like this Auto Climate is actually coming from Malaysia, the HIDs came from Hong Kong.

My BFM actually had a nice little round-the-world trip, as it came from a JDM car imported to Scotland, and parted there. I bought it from the guy in Scotland.

[Yamazaki]

I also bought a JDM auto climate control for the sole purpose of figuring out how it is configured for Celsius. I know that the unit itself will not fit in my trim, but I am sure that there must be a simple jumper or software difference between the USDM one and the JDM one, as I can see that they use the same vacuum fluorescent display with both units on it. In theory, I hope to be able to rig up a switch somewhere to change the readout between F and C based on what I learn from comparing the two units.
Well geez, I could've taken the one out of the S401 and taken pictures for you...
If you want to see anything further, just ask. I've taken pictures of all sorts of parts on the S401 for people so they can see how the Japanese stuff works. It saves you money instead of buying the stuff just to see it.

[Huffer]

eBay is my only real option for JDM parts at this point. But, I am working on building some relationships in the land of the rising sun to get them a little more directly.

I know that some of my parts have actually come from other countries, like this Auto Climate is actually coming from Malaysia, the HIDs came from Hong Kong.

My BFD actually had a nice little round-the-world trip, as it came from a JDM car imported to Scotland, and parted there. I bought it from the guy in Scotland.

Let me know... I would love to have a connection to source me some items for the wife's Odyssey.

[rkrenicki]

I appreciate that YamazakiSubaru, but I would need it to be nearly completely torn apart to see what I am looking for.. I would never ask you to disassemble something in your S401 to the extent that I would need for this.. :)

[Yamazaki]

Ah okay. Yeah, I thought you just wanted to see the back or the connectors or something. Well, my offer still stands for anything that doesn't need to be torn down to its individual components.

[rkrenicki]

Thank you YamazakiSubaru, I am sure at some point I will take you up on that.. I seem to really have the modding bug right now.. hah!

Todays project... Correcting the beam pattern of my JDM headlights. I used the process documented here on SL-i.. https://sl-i.net/FORUM/showthread.php?8762

When I got home today, I first baked my original USDM headlight so that I knew the procedure without destroying the JDM light.. It was a simple enough process so I moved on to the JDM light a few moments later. So far I have just done the drivers side (left side) assembly.

I picked up some flat black enamel and brushes at my locale Lowes, and went to town! I am right now waiting for the first coat to dry before I put another one on and reassemble.

In the meantime, I am going to finish my write-up of the BFM harness wire removal!

[amgarrety]

You, sir, are on fire.

[rkrenicki]

The tutorial is up, amgarrety. I hope it has enough detail, as apparently I either just didnt take as many pictures as I thought, or my cameraphone ate some of the files.

[amgarrety]

Works great, already have two connectors completely stripped.

[rkrenicki]

Hurray! The fact that each pin basically has two retention mechanisms was really throwing me off at first.. I guess they REALLY didnt want these pins to fall out on their own..

I finished my drivers side headlamp.. it now has a nice flat beam pattern.. the cutoff is not as nice as I would like, but its not horrible. I will do the other assembly tomorrow, as its too dark and too cold outside now.

[rkrenicki]

I picked up my leveler switch this morning, and I am on the hunt for the connectors for the leveler servos. It looks like Toyota uses the same connector, and sells the housing for about $6, but each pin is another $5.. so $21 per connector which seems a little excessive. I am on the hunt for alternate sources right now for at least the pins.

Once I do the passenger side headlight this evening, I will put up some photos of that process.

[rkrenicki]

I just realized that I never put a photo of the engine bay.. Not that there is a whole lot to look at with the big engine cover on top, but at least you can see the Supertones and tranny cooler. Oh, and the fall leaves that have accumulated in one night already..

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121012_171521_914-1.jpg

I snapped this off with my cellphone just before I pulled the passenger light out to mod it. Doing that now.. waiting on the oven to get to temp!

[rkrenicki]

all done! I am a big fan of the flat beam pattern. Once I have the levelers connectors in hand, I will be able to finish that and be finally done with these headlights.

I unfortunately burned myself when separating this light.. I was focusing so much on getting the two halves apart, I did not notice that my forearm was pressing against the adjustment screw... I now have a great perfectly headlight-aiming-screw-shaped blister! If I look really carefully at it, I can see the philips head dent where it didn't blister.. lol

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121012_191528_159-1.jpg


I did not really take many pictures, since it was already well documented in that other thread, but I do have one of the headlight apart..

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121011_175207_907-1.jpg


And one after being painted! Actually this photo makes it look pretty sloppy, but in real life it is actually a really good finish.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121011_184723_293-1.jpg

[hansvonaxion]

eBay is my only real option for JDM parts at this point. But, I am working on building some relationships in the land of the rising sun to get them a little more directly.


Let me know... I would love to have a connection to source me some items for the wife's Odyssey.

:smt006

Here to help.

[rkrenicki]

hansvonaxion: I had shot you a PM a week or so ago, did you see that? That particular request is no longer needed, but I do have a new one that I can send you via PM as well..

[rkrenicki]

So, here is a question.. on the headlight leveling switch, is 5 the highest angle, or 0? 5 is the highest number, but you have to scroll it down to get there, so I am just trying to figure out what setting to use when adjusting...

[Yamazaki]

0 is up. 5 is down. I just verified it on the S401.

[rkrenicki]

Okay, so it works in the direction of sliding.. not the value of the number.. good to know.. Thanks!

[rkrenicki]

I just agreed to buy an 090 cluster from Yahoo Auctions Japan, so I will be happy to have an accurate tachometer. I am also going to use that cluster with the new connectors that I ordered that will not be here until January.. One fel swoop to do it right. After that is done, I will likely be selling the 030 that I have, along with the current harness for those who want it.

In the meantime, I took a look at the VIN plate on my car, and realized that I had the wrong color listed for it all along.. It is color code 19X, or Silver Stone Metallic. One of the papers from the dealer had it listed as Titanium Pearl, but the more I look at that color on paint websites, it is totally wrong.

[rkrenicki]

I found my old Hex-Crimp style coax crimper today, so I can now start on the grounding kit. I just fabbed up the Battery to Fender jumper a few moments ago, and it looks pretty good. I need to find my old heat gun to put this weatherproof heatshrink on, and then start measuring out the rest of the jumpers.

I also received my JDM heater control module and the Forester JDM 6CD changer w/ MiniDisc player that is destined for my BG.

I also wanted to note that the Low Beam bulbs from the USDM headlamp is the same as the High Beam bulbs in the JDM... So, I moved the Narva Rangepower+50's that I had into the JDM High Beam location. I think that one of the low beams is dimmer than the other as well, so I am on the hunt for a deal on D2R bulbs since I have no idea how old these are.

[amgarrety]

I think that one of the low beams is dimmer than the other as well, so I am on the hunt for a deal on D2R bulbs since I have no idea how old these are.

Is it your passenger side that is dimmer? I've noticed that as well.

[rkrenicki]

Actually, its the drivers side for me. well.. the US drivers side..

The passenger side is great, has a fantastic cutoff even after the painting mod, the drivers side is just kind of mushy and dimmer than the other side..

[amgarrety]

That might be a bulb issue then. Mine isn't significantly dimmer, so i'm just letting it go for now.

What color did you paint your reflector? That is something I was thinking of doing, but I don't like having a solid black portion of my reflector. I was thinking of maybe doing it in a matte silver.

[rkrenicki]

I used flat black but it blends in really well, without knowing to look for it, you would never notice that it was painted.

[rkrenicki]

I had forgotten about an upgrade that I had done a bit ago.. I replaced the brake light bulbs in my car with 3457 bulbs instead of the stock 3157s. This gives about a 25% boost in light output.

[rkrenicki]

I received the JDM environment controls on Monday, and its bad news.. It is COMPLETELY different from the USDM one. Nothing about them is the same, even made by different manufacturers, and completely different harness connectors... so back to the drawing board on that one I guess.

I suppose I can stop by a Canadian junkyard next time I am up there to see if I can snag a CDM version..

I also am working on installing my Alpine Imprint system, but I am rapidly running out of room behind my center stack... heh

[amgarrety]

I felt the same way when I got my BFM. I thought I could merge the cool parts of the BFM with my mileage from my old cluster. Nope. Nothing in common.

[rkrenicki]

A fairly busy day today.. it was a beautiful day out, so I decided to work on my car instead of actually work.. heh

I half installed the KnuKonceptz 8 gauge amp kit for my Basslink sub... I have it from the battery to the drivers seat, and then it is just sitting on top of the carpet for now.

I installed the very first link in my 4 gauge grounding setup, from the battery to the chassis. I am working on assembling the 2nd link from the chassis to the intake manifold right now.

I completely re-did my stereo. Originally I only had the head unit, one DIN pocket, and the Bluetooth unit in the center stack, with the Sirius adapter in the center console, and the Sirius tuner under the back seat. Now with the addition of the Audyssey Imprint unit, and the way that it has to be in line with everything.. that would not work.

Somehow I managed to shove the headunit, 2 DIN pockets (finally finished that Onstar Delete), the Bluetooth unit, and the Sirius adapter within the center stack. The Audyssey unit is to the right of the stack, where the pop-out cup holder would be in earlier revisions of this car. I put it there so that the Mic and USB ports were "easily" accessible . That leaves the sirius radio itself which is now in the center console.

The car interior is still completely torn apart.. I am going to run the last power wires needed for my hide-away strobes, and then I should not have to run any more wires under the carpet ever.. Do it all at once, and be done with it.

[Yamazaki]

So I think it goes without saying that pictures are a must after it's all back together. Hell, take some pictures now while it's all torn apart...

I actually have the S401 all torn apart on the inside too. I'm kind of doing the opposite of you- I'm removing the ETC and DVD/Nav system (taking out fancy electronics vice installing them). I have a feeling that you'll have your car back together long before I do though.

[rkrenicki]

I am not sure if I want to take the center stack out again.. I doubt I would get it all back in there... hah

but tomorrow I will snap some photos of the disaster zone that is the interior of my car in the morning.

[amgarrety]

You think yours is bad... my entire dash is currently sitting in my passengers seat haha

[rkrenicki]

I've done that dance a few times now... at this point I could take apart my dash and reassemble it in my sleep.

[rkrenicki]

As promised.. pictures of the disaster zone formerly known as my clean car. These were snapped off with my cellphone, so they are not the best.. then again the car really isnt in the best shape so it does not matter!

Back seat:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121019_080936_778-1.jpg


Front seat after I partially reassembled it for driving it home yesterday:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121019_080946_616-1.jpg


Center Stack as it is now:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121019_081054_45-1.jpg


Closeup of the Imprint unit velcro'd up into the dash:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121019_081102_914-1.jpg


New home for the Sirius tuner. It is actually not in this orientation as it was in the way of the cupholder. It now lays flat in about the same spot:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121019_090710_11-1.jpg

[rkrenicki]

After a feverish half an hour in the rain this morning.. I managed to get my car almost completely reassembled. The 8 gauge wire and RCAs now reach the trunk right along the transmission tunnel under the carpet, and the center console and back seat are reinstalled.. It is still quite a mess, but it is a vast improvement over the above pictures.

I need to find a better way to get into the trunk from under the back seat, as the center fold-down has a decent pinch point and I do not want the 8ga shorting out there at some point in the future.. but I am going to wait for the rain to end before trying that again.

In the meantime, I measured out some of the lengths that I need for the grounding upgrade, and I am cutting, crimping, and heatshrinking them in the dryness that is my office.

[rkrenicki]

I just installed the 2nd link in my grounding kit from the chassis to the intake manifold. I also quick-and-dirty-style hooked up my Basslink II in the trunk, its just floating around back there with all the other junk in my trunk..

I am going to try to get the rest of the grounding wires made up today, and snap some photos of it installed either today or tomorrow.

Hopefully I will find some time this weekend to mount the sub too...

[rkrenicki]

Well... that was an interesting turnout for a foreign language barrier..

I emailed the ebay seller that I bought the JDM HVAC controls from asking if he would accept a return for a refund since this unit will not work for my needs. The guy never emailed me back, so I figured that was his answer to taking a return.

Instead, the seller must have understood that as "the unit does not work". As there was a fresh Fedex Express package sitting on my porch when I got home with another JDM Auto HVAC module in it.

[amgarrety]

Haha so now you have two for the price of one?

[rkrenicki]

Apparently so! I suppose that is payback for not allowing me to combine shipping on the two items that I had bought from him.. he charged me full rate for both but shipped them in one box.

[rkrenicki]

Today, I received a few presents for this car...

First up....
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121026_203753_433-1.jpg

I swapped the mounting bracket from a USDM one, and then put them side by side for a comparison shot (this is why the USDM one now has the tabs going in the wrong direction):
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121026_203903_77-1.jpg

And.. you can see them peaking out in the picture above.. the connectors for the JDM HID levelers!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121026_203744_7-1.jpg

So, I now have some projects for this weekend!

[amgarrety]

Nice! I love getting packages like that. It always makes me happy.

[rkrenicki]

I managed to get a couple of small projects done today.

First up.. SL-i Represent!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_152532_258-1.jpg


I put the text above the finishing panel.. but I am not very happy with it here, I also realize that I put the "Subaru Legacy" part too high, and it throws off the whole line.. I guess it is a good thing I bought two decals!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_152528_472-1.jpg


Next, I tackled the Hazard switch. First, I cut off the original harness connector as it is just too short to do anything with, and I spliced on my 10" harness extension.. This was a big move for me as it is the first time I have cut into the original harness of this car, but I justify it by telling myself I am splicing in another piece of an original Subaru harness..
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_142155_133-1.jpg

After taping the wires up, and tucking them above the radio, I now have a nice, easy to access disconnect for the Hazard switch.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_142354_237-1.jpg

All put back together with the shiny new S401 Hazard switch in place!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_142742_632-1.jpg


While I had the dash open, I snapped in the HID adjuster switch.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_142715_156-1.jpg

Since I have not yet tapped the windshield wiper defroster into the heated mirrors, I stashed the wiper switch into the cubby below. This is in no way permanent, just so that I retain its function in the meantime.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_142724_578-1.jpg


I also worked on my engine bay re-grounding. All 4 AWG Copper Clad Aluminium wire.

Battery to fender and Fender to intake:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_143411_234-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_143424_287-1.jpg

From intake to Starter to throttle body to other side of intake and finally to passenger side strut tower:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_150024_170-1.jpg


I Armor-Alled the engine cover, air box, air filter box, and intake snorkel. I am quite surprised how much better it looks with that.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121027_151151_22-1.jpg

[rkrenicki]

When I was re-doing my center stack, I apparently did snap off one photo which I hadnt posted before now.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/20121018_095620_830-1.jpg

[rkrenicki]

Now that UPS has resumed deliveries to my state... the heat shrink tubing that I had ordered showed up finally.. so I can finish my HID levelers this weekend!

I also had show up the 22 gauge wire I am going to use for the new BFM, as well as the #74 bulbs for all of the indicators. My #2723 bulbs should be here tomorrow and that will replace every single bulb in the cluster except for the P and D ones. It will be nice to not have to worry about a bulb going out any time soon.

I also have an Alpine Minidisc changer on the way, which means I am going to have to figure out how to run yet another Ai-Net cable in my car.

[rkrenicki]

This weekend did not see a whole lot of work on the car, but I completed the engine bay wiring for the HID levelers, and the wires are run into the cabin but I have not completed the switch side of things yet.

I also cut and crimped all of the wires for the C connector on the 090 cluster, since I have that connector here already. They are all yellow, but I have something special in store for that adapter once the time comes...

[rkrenicki]

Sweet! The JAE connectors got to Mouser.com early, and they just charged my card for delivery.

Unfortunately, the other half of that I have not started on, as I thought I had plenty of time. I guess I better get cracking on it today.

[rkrenicki]

My daughter is off at a friends birthday party today, so I had some kid-free time this weekend to do a few projects.

So far I have installed the Minidisc Changer that I ordered from Japan... unfortunately, this required me taking out the center stack which was already pretty jammed packed.

This was my first arrangement, which I really liked, but I found out pretty quickly that it would not fit properly. I know from last time that the fold down pocket will not function properly in the bottom slot, and it turns out that neither will the fold down face of the changer.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/IMAG0081-1.jpg

This is a closeup of the changer itself, with one disc sticking out.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/IMAG0082-2.jpg

The mass of wiring behind this stack. I am very tempted to cut off the onstar connectors as they are quite large and are a waste of valuable space behind the center stack.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/IMAG0084-2.jpg

This is eventually what I settled on to make everything fit. The radio components are next to each other, and the standard pocket is back in the bottom location.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/IMAG0085-1.jpg


The changer also has a Graphic Spectrum Analyzer on it, that works in all modes. It is kind of neat, but not overly useful. I also snapped a photo of the final placement of my Scangauge II

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/IMAG0086-2.jpg


Now I need to dig out all of my minidiscs... the only one that I had handy was some Shrek Sing-along disc I made for my daughter long ago.. LOL At least I know the player works properly with it.

[amgarrety]

Jeez! That is a ton of wiring! That makes my center stack look like it came from the 1800's. I really like the complex look of your stack, with all these cool controls and lights and what not. I'm a simple person haha.

You wouldn't happen to want to sell that compartment with the flip down cover would you? It looks like you removed it from the center stack.

[rkrenicki]

I may.. It depends on what I end up doing in the BG. I have a double-din CD/MD deck for it, but I also picked up an MD only radio that came with this changer.. Give me a week to figure out what I am going to do, and I will let you know.

Unfortunately, with all of the Alpine gear in there, all that wiring is necessary. I have 3 Ai-Net devices, and the Bluetooth module on the Fullspeed Net along with the iPod cable. There is still all of the Onstar harness in there as well, which takes up quite a bit of room.

Otherwise.. I just hooked up my levelers, and they both seem to work. It got too cold outside, and it is too bright outside to see them actually working, but I can hear the motors turning when I adjust the setting. I snapped a few real quick pictures before I came in, as it is really windy and cold out there right now.

I had just stuck the wires into the heated windshield connector for the Ground and Illumination circuits. The 12V incoming is being provided by an "Add-a-circuit" tap on the "Rear Wiper/Washer" fuse.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/IMAG0087-2.jpg

All buttoned up, and lit up (as much as you can tell in the daytime)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/IMAG0088-2.jpg

[rkrenicki]

Now that it is dark, I adjusted the levelers and made a quick video of it. click on this picture for the video from my cellphone.

http://krenicki.com/ForumPictures/Vehicles/2004-BEE-RS30/th_VIDEO0004.jpg (http://krenicki.com/ForumPictures/Vehicles/2004-BEE-RS30/VIDEO0004.mp4)


I also snapped a few pictures of the radio in the dark. I guess I will need to replace the LEDs in the changer to red, like I did with the head unit.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/11/IMAG0091-2.jpg

[hansvonaxion]

Sorry I didn't reply to your PM way back when.

But I wouldn't have bought a big, ugly red hazard switch to replace your nice black one on principle.

:wink:

Looking good man, that's gonna be a nice personalised ride when you've finished.

:smt023

[rkrenicki]

Hey, I like the red ;) And besides.. my cars' got a little S401 in her now! heh

My struts are showing up today, as well as a part from amgarrety. I also just ordered the wheels that I have been wanting.. I cant want to get those on there..

I posed a question over in the Audio/Video forum for some mounting suggestions for my sub. I also plan on doing some de-badging to prep for new badges. I hope to get both of those done sometime this week.

[amgarrety]

What rims and badging are you doing? This sounds interesting :)

[rkrenicki]

Those are both currently surprises. But don't worry, once I have the rims in hand, I will post some teaser pictures... ;)

[hansvonaxion]

Hey, I like the red ;) And besides.. my cars' got a little S401 in her now! heh

Well in that case, would you like an S401 badge to match the hazard button?

:twisted:

[rkrenicki]

I think that might be crossing into sacrilegious territory. ;)

I do not want to badge the car for what it is not. I have some STi badges but they will "never" go onto this car.. (unless at some point an STi swap happens, which I doubt).. however, that being said, I am going to PM you a price request..

[rkrenicki]

My Tokico struts showed up yesterday, and unfortunately they got pretty beat up in transport. It looks like Tokico just put a single piece of cardboard between the struts which shifted at some point, and the two struts were knocking on each other. The chipped paint I am not that worried about, however there are some marks on the tube of one unit, which makes me worry that it might have been compromised in some way.

[dodik]

I wouldn't worry about integrity of the tubes as far as there is no damage to the shaft they should be good, but i would still contact them to see how they go about it. On a side note make sure your wheels are at most +48 offset or tires will hit the perches.

[rkrenicki]

Both the current and the incoming wheels have an offset of 48. The size difference is that the new ones are 17x7 vs 16x6.5 on the current rims.

Looks like I will have the new rims on Friday, Monday at the latest..

[amgarrety]

Rim size of 17x7, offset of +48.... sounds familiar ;)

[rkrenicki]

Oh yea? I am 95% positive you do not know what I ordered.. heh, but there is always a chance.

[amgarrety]

Haha there's a good chance I'm wrong, but there was a set of the rims I'm thinking of that were just for sale. Either way, I'm excited to see what they are!

[rkrenicki]

They are not from anyone on here.. these are brand new from the manufacturer. Nobody sells them used yet because they are too new.

[amgarrety]

Ok, I'm definitely wrong then. I was thinking B4 rims I saw on eBay for $450 :P

[rkrenicki]

I will say this.. the primary color of these rims is *not* silver. Oh, and they are domestic rims, I am not going to import something heavy like big chunks of aluminium by themselves.

Otherwise, my "new" grill showed up today after some minor fighting with UPS, but that needs some slight work before it goes on.

I also pulled out the back seat completely and re-ran the wiring back there. I also took the opportunity to run some control wires for my hide-a-way strobes and my Basslink unit. It will be nice to not have to pull the fuse in order for it not to drain the battery.

I hope to actually find some time tomorrow to physically connect those wires.

[rkrenicki]

Today was a bit cold, so I did not get much done. I pulled off the crooked SLI stickers and the Secor Subaru emblem. Tomorrow should be warmer, so I should be able to get the new SLi decals on there how they should be.

Otherwise, I tried to fit the honeycomb grill that I picked up from amgarrety before I did any changes to it. Unfortunately it does not fit properly with my outback bumper. There is nearly an inch gap between it and the top of the bumper :( So, back to the drawing board on that one...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/20121201_160430_681-2.jpg

[amgarrety]

Ohhh. I see now. I would've never guessed there was a difference, but I guess there is.

Want my bumper too? :lol:

But really, my stock bumper is for sale. Haha

[rkrenicki]

I have a few ideas of what I can do here, but obviously this grill is no longer part of the plan.

A new bumper may work for me.. but I like the look of the current one, and the fogs that are on there... I am not sure.. many things to think about here....

[rkrenicki]

I am waiting for the phone call so that I can pick up my rims today, I will reveal them this afternoon ;)

For the grill, I have decided to butcher up the original Outback one. I ordered a new badge and some hex mesh to install and I will plastidip the whole thing. I just need to find my dremel and hack out the old plastic bits. I do not think I can bring myself to spending hundreds of dollars on a replacement bumper just for a grill, especially when I like the bumper that I have, heh.

As for the new cluster, I received some more bits over the weekend, and I am just waiting on the last part before I can begin assembly of the new and improved adapter.

[rkrenicki]

I just picked them up!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0092-1.jpg

[amgarrety]

They are in Subaru boxes but they are aftermarket?

[Yamazaki]

I keep checking to see if you've shown pics of the wheels yet.... stop teasing us and post them already!
:lol:

[rkrenicki]

I do not believe I ever used the word "aftermarket" to describe these... ;)

So, I picked up these rims from Dan Perkins Subaru, aka Subarupartsforyou.com. They are located in Milford, CT which is about an hour-ish drive from my office. The reason why I hadn't shown photos of the rims until now, is that I haven't opened the box until about 5 minutes ago.

Enough with the blah-blah.. these are them!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0103-1.jpg

[amgarrety]

XV RIMS!!!


I really can't wait to see how these look on our cars, I've sort of had my eye on them. I don't think I'd do it on my car, but I still had a burning desire to know how they'd look, becuase they kind of seem like a spiritual successor to the Blitzen rims, just as the new Forester XT rims look (and believe me, I'm really interested in seeing those on a BE as well).

[rkrenicki]

Bah.. apparently they do not come with the center caps.. I just opened up another one to check. I am hoping that I can get them to send me a few, as I do not want to make the 2 1/2 hour round-trip for them, especially after dropping almost $1200 (!!) on these, it seems odd to not include the $20 center cap.

But yes, XV rims!!

I also took the opportunity to check out their BRZ while I was there.. my wife wants one of these in the worst possible way. She is actually a little jealous that I sat in one today without her, hah!

[Yamazaki]

Ooh, nice. Yeah, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't rock those. I like the two-tone look too. But crazy about the no centercap thing.
One more thing, if you run the 215/45ZR17 tires that are standard on the 17x7, offset +48 wheels, then you'll have to correct your instrument cluster because your speedo will be reading 8% too fast (which will also screw with your ODO). On the other hand, if you can adjust it to where the speedo is accurate with that setup, then PLEASE let me know.

I cannot wait to see how those look on the car. :smt023

[Lancaster6]

I like this approach much better than plasti dipping the wheels...I can't wait to see how they look!

[rkrenicki]

I was going to pick up 225/55R17s to keep nearly the current circumference, but with the current tires my speedo is already about 5% fast. This is not an artifact of the km/h-mph adapter nor the speedo itself, as the original USDM speedo and the OBD2 data both reflect 5% faster than what multiple GPS units have shown.

I am still awaiting an answer back from Dan Perkins Subaru about the center caps, but my current plans are to get tires on these and installed later this week or over the weekend.

cglock25: I don't think that I would ever plastidip a wheel.. seems tacky to me, and I doubt it would hold up to being on a wheel for very long, besides.. I would not have XV rims that way! The only thing I will likely be plastidipping is the franken-grill that I have in the works.

[Lancaster6]

I don't think that I would ever plastidip a wheel.. seems tacky to me, and I doubt it would hold up to being on a wheel for very long, besides.. I would not have XV rims that way! The only thing I will likely be plastidipping is the franken-grill that I have in the works.

I don't blame you. I did it as an interesting quick, yet reversible, poor man's "mod" thingy. When I get my money tree I'll get some real wheels that aren't dipped. :cool: I've never seen the XV wheels up close and personal before, they look sweet. *Patiently waits to see badass wheels mounted on car*

[Yamazaki]

I was going to pick up 225/55R17s to keep nearly the current circumference
Will that fit with the car on lowered suspension? I can't wait to see how it looks on your car. I may end up doing that with the "Blitzen" if it works out well..
but with the current tires my speedo is already about 5% fast. This is not an artifact of the km/h-mph adapter nor the speedo itself, as the original USDM speedo and the OBD2 data both reflect 5% faster than what multiple GPS units have shown.
Is there a way to make it more accurate?

[rkrenicki]

I was going to pick up 225/55R17s to keep nearly the current circumference
Will that fit with the car on lowered suspension? I can't wait to see how it looks on your car. I may end up doing that with the "Blitzen" if it works out well..

That is a really good point, and something I had not thought of. I have at least 3 inches between the top of the tire and the bottom of the well opening. If the drop is around 2 inches, I would think it would sit like any standard Legacy with about an inch all the way around from the opening.



but with the current tires my speedo is already about 5% fast. This is not an artifact of the km/h-mph adapter nor the speedo itself, as the original USDM speedo and the OBD2 data both reflect 5% faster than what multiple GPS units have shown.
Is there a way to make it more accurate?

I suppose if either the VSS itself were altered, or the signal coming out of it before the ECU were properly adjusted, but a small percentage of error that has been present prior to my tinkering is acceptable to me. I guess I could compensate for it in tires...

[rkrenicki]

The official word is.. Subaru OEM wheels do not come with the center caps. Just an FYI for those who may end up doing this too.

That being said, Subarupartsforyou.com is working out a deal for me that while I am not 100% happy, is better than spending $80 additional to finish these wheels.

[Huffer]

I am pretty sure your existing center caps will snap in. You could easily paint your center caps to match and snap them in.

[rkrenicki]

My current wheels will likely end up on my BG, so I want to keep them complete.

[rkrenicki]

So I have resolutions to both of my outstanding issues. Subarupartsforyou.com is giving me two of the caps for free, and I am buying the other two. They are also throwing in free shipping. Basically, we split the cost of the caps 50/50.

I also finally heard back from Tokico about my struts. They tell me that they will function fine as long as there is no damage on the shafts. They are giving me a $50 refund to pay for any painting I do to rustproof the struts.

[rkrenicki]

I am pretty sure your existing center caps will snap in. You could easily paint your center caps to match and snap them in.


I received the new caps today. They are the same as the 4th gen Legacy caps, except painted in the gunmetal color, the part number on the package is 28821FJ000, indicating the XV model, but the cap itself has 28821SA030, which is the part number for the Legacy caps.

I have not looked closely at my 3rd gen caps, but they look different on this website.

Unfortunately, money is a little tight when I have to come up with several hundred dollars for home heating oil.. so tires are going to have to wait a bit :( I also need to let the wife cool down a bit too as the conversation went something like this.. "You spent HOW MUCH on these?.. and that does not even include the tires?"... She knew I was going to buy them, but I guess I never ended up telling her how much they were going to be..

In the meantime, I hope to get the struts installed this weekend, assuming the weather holds out.

Also.. a photo of the rim with its center cap installed!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0105-1.jpg

[Yamazaki]

Unfortunately, money is a little tight when I have to come up with several hundred dollars for home heating oil.. so tires are going to have to wait a bit :( I also need to let the wife cool down a bit too as the conversation went something like this.. "You spent HOW MUCH on these?.. and that does not even include the tires?"... She knew I was going to buy them, but I guess I never ended up telling her how much they were going to be..
I hear you brother. I even showed your post to my wife and she said "of course she's angry. I understand how she feels".

They just don't understand us. :smt009

[rkrenicki]

Oh, I do not blame her for being angry at all. In hindsight, I should have waited until after the holidays to pick these up.. but its too late now. All I can do is postpone the tires for a bit as that is going to be another fairly decent chunk of change.

So, in a pile these rims will sit for at least a few weeks. What sucks the most is that I am really excited to see these things on there, and I am going to have to wait longer. At least I have some other projects that I can complete now without spending any (or very little) additional money since I have all or most of the parts.

Speaking of projects. The last bit for the 090 BFM should be here tomorrow according to the tracking number, so I will try to get that done over this weekend as well.

[rkrenicki]

Since the sun was out for a bit today, I decided to re-do the SLi decal that I had on the car. The white on silver was hard to see, and it was crooked. This time, I moved it down a bit onto the finisher panel. I did make sure to measure the trunk and get everything centered using some painters tape with about 5mm of spacing between each section. I am much happier with the way it turned out, you can actually read it now!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0112-1.jpg

I also finished running the remote turn-on wire for my Amp as well as a switch and wire for the corner strobes. This way I do not need to pull the fuse after using my sub, and I do not have to use the accessory outlet to turn on my strobes. I still need to permanently mount both the sub and the strobe pack, but at least this is a step in the correct direction.

[rkrenicki]

Just to keep this thread up to date...

New BFM adapter:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0124-1.jpg

Adapter tucked away in the dash:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0126-1.jpg

Cluster installed, and evidence that the tachometer is now correct!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0129-1.jpg

And.. My SLi dead pedal showed up yesterday. I think it looks great!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0130-1.jpg

[Navi271]

ScanGauge's are awesome little tools.
And now I can't wait to get my new dead pedal. I ordered the same one, SLi in Wrinkle Black. Looks great!

[rkrenicki]

The mileage has been corrected on the 090 cluster, even if I did break a part of the trip display...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0133-1.jpg

[Yamazaki]

Everything looks fantastic! :smt023

And I doubt anybody can notice the damage. I wouldn't've known if you hadn't pointed it out.

[rkrenicki]

Yep.. all came down to a slip of the screwdriver I was using to take the back panel off. I thought it looked okay when I inspected it, but I guess the proof is there staring me in the face.

[98legwag]

I just spent 5 mins looking and didn't see anything other than what I am guessing was trimmed in the dash to fit the BFM.

[rkrenicki]

Nothing was trimmed, this is a direct fit.

If you look at the picture, it looks like the trip meter is reading 0.1, when it is supposed to be reading 0.0, the right half of the number is missing, so a 1 does not show up at all, a 2 looks like a lower case "r", etc.. The whole miles works just fine, its just the tenths that are messed up.

[legacyB4RSK]

Dayum!!! That's a nice BFM adapter, where does one get one like that. It's nice and tidy. Wonder if it would work for the non H6 cluster as well.

[legacyB4RSK]

BTW, where did you get the HID leveller plugs and switch and was it hard to wire up, do you have instructions/diagram to help get this done. I've always wanted to do that and seeing it in action , quite impressive. Good work. I bought my lights new from Japan and luckily they are aimed all the way down by default so I don't blind anyone.

[rkrenicki]

I designed, had fabricated, and assembled the adapter myself. As it is right now, it would not work for an H4 car, however I will likely make one up for it.

The HID leveler plugs (if you are talking about the 3 pin connectors that connect to the lights) were purchased from New United Race Tech (http://www.newunitedracetech.com/shop/toyota-9098011016-refurb-e-p-10859.html?cPath=1327)

There is another thread on here that details the process for the levers. It was specific to the D-type, but the wiring is the same as the A-C-type. It is located over here: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=19106&hilit=leveler (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=19106&hilit=leveler)

[legacyB4RSK]

Well if you ever make one for the h4, I'd buy it from you in a heartbeat. Thanks for the diagram. What wires did you use in the engine bay to join the leveller plug wires to the leveller switch?

[legacyB4RSK]

Is the leveller switch from a USDM STI or a JDM B4 RSK.

[rkrenicki]

I ran a new wire through the firewall for it. I used a 4 conductor cable to do it all in one shot. The switch that I have came from a JDM BE of some sort, I do not know what specific model it was.

[Yamazaki]

The switch that I have came from a JDM BE of some sort, I do not know what specific model it was.
It doesn't matter since they all have the same part. A~D type.

[rkrenicki]

I ordered a new pair of Philips D2R bulbs from Amazon, since I do not know the history of the bulbs that are in my headlights. All I know is that the two lights seem to have different brightnesses, so it is possible that the two are of different ages. Amazon direct has them for about $41 each, which is better than Autozone and Advance Auto Parts, which both sell them for $99 each.

This will also give me the opportunity to re-fit the headlights to the car, as I mentioned to Yamazaki a few weeks ago that I noticed a very slight fitment issue. I am hoping that I can shift the housings around a bit to get them to line up properly..

Still no tires yet, but I have decided which ones I am going to get, and I have a set waiting for me down at the local Town Fair Tire. I will be getting my yearly bonus here shortly, so that will do the tires. I will have the XV wheels on before the Maryland meet for sure.

I also have not figured out the cluster dimming problem, so I will likely just wire the stalk directly to the BFM, and wire the rest of the car to full-bright. I also need to do the independent fog mod, finish the subwoofer mounting, and the permanent wiring of the hide-a-way strobes. Once those are done, all that is left is the re-badging that I had planned, but the new badges wont be here until the end of this week it looks like.

[rkrenicki]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0011-1.jpg

Hopefully, this is the last photo of just the cluster I feel the need to post. The new 090 showed up today, and I swapped pieces around so that I have the new display module for the tachometer/odometer, so the trip meter works fully now. I also decided to use the new backlight bulb, as this cluster had only 98000kms on it, so I should get a better life out of the backlight.

I hope to never have to take the cluster out of this dash again, it works 100% and I am happy with it. I think I have pulled the cluster out of my car 30 times in the last few months, and I would like to never have to do that again. The only bit I have left to do is the backlight dimming, but I can do that without removing the cluster anymore.

In other news, my new JDM badges showed up today too, so I will be working out the details on those shortly.

[rkrenicki]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/12/IMAG0014-1.jpg

Snow! We got about 9 inches or so, and we have some neighborhood cats that like to walk around on my car, all those dents are from their paws.

[rkrenicki]

I posted in the BFM thread, but I did "fix" my cluster dimming issue by basically hotwiring the rest of the dash to full-bright, which also disconnected the BFM from the dimming control module. This in the end fixed both from freaking each other out. The stalk now only controls the dimming of the cluster, and the rest of the lights are always on full.

I am still on the search for tires, but those should be coming very very soon. The Sumitomos that I originally wanted, I cant seem to find anyone local that has them in stock anymore.

I also replaced the HID bulbs with brand new ones the other day, and I must say.. the improvement was quite dramatic. Both sides are of equal brightness now, and the cutoff seems much more pronounced on the drivers side. In looking at the old bulbs, the drivers side salts were much more yellowed than the passenger side, so I am assuming they were of differing ages. Since you "have to" remove the whole housing to get to these bulbs, I took the time to refit them to the car as well. It looks much cleaner, and I was able to shift the housings slightly out so they line up nicely with the fenders now.

I hope to go to Home Depot or Lowes later today to pick up some wood to finish my subwoofer mounting, and strobe pack mounting. All that I would have left is my two-way radio to wire and mount, and I should be "done" with the car for a while after the wheels and badging projects I already have in progress.

[rkrenicki]

I just spent 5 mins looking and didn't see anything other than what I am guessing was trimmed in the dash to fit the BFM.


You know, I said there was no trimming.. and I take that back. I had forgotten about the trimming I did behind the cluster for the CCFL module. That could be detached and stashed above the duct work back there instead, but that would be tricky.. and nearly impossible with my pcb adapter back there too.


So, after looking at other cars on here, seeing amgarrety's D-type front end, and talking to YamazakiSubaru.. I had the idea in my head to turn my car into a full blown RS30 replica. I started looking at D-Type front ends, aluminium hoods, B4 rear glass and a rear wiper, badges badges and more badges... I even sent an offer to someone on ebay for a JDM H6 engine cover for $170 (which he declined! thank goodness)... then I brought myself back to reality before I spent thousands of dollars on something that will not do anything to the car but make it look a different..

I have decided that I will be going forward with my project car plans, and bringing a D-type JDM BE5 or BH5 into the states (cut in half of course) and finding a USDM shell to swap everything onto. This will cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of $2500-3000 which is what piecemealing some parts for an RS30 replica could easily come up to, and has the added benefit of doing that RHD conversion that I have been itching to do. I am leaning towards the BH right now, and using that to replace my BG9.

In the meantime, the BEE that I have will not get any more significant changes.. Once the wheels are done, the badges (that I have) are put on, and whatever I end up doing with the suspension is done.. the car will be "complete".

[amgarrety]

What do you mean when you say you will swap everything onto a USDM shell? Yama learned just recently that the USDM and JDM models are too different to do a swap like that. The big problems are the larger B-pillars on the US models. The JDM doors don't fit to the US body, so if you're doing the RHD swap, you'd have to find a way to do it while keeping the US doors.

Another thing that I might warn against that isn't proven, but very possible (after seeing how non-interchangeable some JDM and USDM parts are) is that the interior RHD parts may not fit a US car. In theory, it should all fit fine, but it hasn't been tested to find out. There is always the possibility that the extra safety regulations in the US might throw off the dimensions of the interior, making the dashes incompatible, even by the slightest amount. Now, it's very possible that it might all be a direct fit, but I'm a little more wary now that I saw how the JDM and USDM doors differ.

[rkrenicki]

Well, this is all theory at this point, but I would keep the USDM doors as well. The firewall (or portions of it) may need to be swapped, so that should fix the mounting issues with the dashboard if there are any. If that is the case there may be a larger gap between the dashboard and the doors in the end, but I think that would be acceptable.

I may also just scratch the idea of 3rd gen, and do it with a 2nd gen instead.. but since the Postal is available state-side, that becomes less appealing to me in the end.

Either way, this is all just thinking "out loud".. I do not have the physical space for such a project where I am living right now.. I rent a home, where we have two parking spots and three vehicles as it is. When we eventually buy a house, I intend on having a garage to work in, and adequate space for the active cars, and project(s).

[Yamazaki]

I posted about the differences in the interior pieces in my thread. The US models are 1 inch wider and that makes a difference. in the trim. I basically brought an entire car minus chassis over here and have had to toss a lot of parts because of fitment issues. Even the fenders, which I still put on, have fairly big gaps between them and the doors.

If it hadn't been so inexpensive for me to get everything over here, I wouldn't've done it. And I definitely don't want a RHD conversion. The novelty wears off quickly and things just become annoying (like grabbing a ticket from a parking garage entrance booth).

[rkrenicki]

Well, this conversation is fairly premature right now, as there are many dependencies that I am not ready for yet.. that and it has very little to do with this car... so back to talking about the BEE! ;)

I had apparently forgotten that I put an offer in for some D-type headlights on ebay. I received notice this morning that my offer was accepted, which is surprising since I only offered $100 for them... So on one hand, I got a really good deal on D-type headlights.. but on the other hand, I scrapped my D-type conversion plans.. lol I guess if I find some good deals on a D-type hood and bumper at some point in the future I will already have the lamps for it.

I found a place fairly local to me that carries the Sumitomos that I wanted for the XV rims. I have an appointment for tomorrow morning to get them installed, so I should have pictures available tomorrow afternoon to put up on here. I am very excited to finally get these on the car.

[rkrenicki]

deleted for cleaning up.

[amgarrety]

Nice! I can't wait to see some full car shots!

[rkrenicki]

Huh, I apparently linked the wrong one in the first picture.. It was supposed to be the bottom shot here, but oh well!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0020-1.jpg

The only issue I have with these rims is that they are much more open than the old ones. I need to do something about my rusty calipers.. I suppose I could paint them with some black exhaust paint..

Also, these tires are great! They are nearly silent! There is not much snow and ice left around here to try out.. but the dry and wet roads today were great! It also looks like one of the old fronts was out of balance, as my slight steering wheel shimmy is gone now too.

[rkrenicki]

Since I posted these pictures, I have taken the car out for another drive. So far I have put about 100 miles on these tires.

My speedometer is more accurate. Before when reading "70" on the speedo, my GPS would say 67-68... now it reads 68-69. After trying a range of speeds, I would say that the speedo and OBDII data it is about 3% faster now, instead of the 5% that it used to be.

I has been too warm today, and all the ice and snow has been melting, but it feels like I have overall better grip with these tires.. I am very very happy that I stuck it out and found these locally instead of settling with the Falkens.

I also ordered a set of black lug nuts, the ones that I have are not in the best of shape, and I think that the black on the dark grey rim will go together nicely.

Since the Tokico's are sold now, I also bought a pair of GR-2s for just the rear right now. The passenger side shock has a bit of a rattle so I will replace them both at the same time. The fronts will be done when it gets a little warmer outside.

[amgarrety]

It's so weird see a car like mine sit so high. I like how the rims incorporate both prominent colors on your car, the main silver color and the black color of the trim.

[Yamazaki]

Man those look good. You are so lucky to have a car that already looks good without needing a full paint job or body panel swaps or anything.

[rkrenicki]

You know.. silver was not my first choice in color.. but seeing that H6 Sedans are so rare, I had to take what I could get. But the color has really grown on me, especially with the black bits. The only colors I would have outright refused to buy would be gold and that seafoam green that everyone seems to have from this generation, hah!

I am working on locating a good tint shop right now too, I am going to do either 50% or 35% all around which should really complement the black/silver.

[Shiv]

Not bad...

I've always been a bit iffy about the XV rims but they look good for something a bit different.

Outback sedan is rare. Here in Aus, they recently released a limited edition Legacy which features raised suspension. I think they're testing the waters to see if there's a market for it down the line....

[rkrenicki]

Not much has happened this week, as I have been holed up in my house with the Flu.

I did receive my new KYB Excel-G shocks and boots for the rear. I also have some top mounts on the way as well from KYB, but they won't be here until next week. The only stock parts will be the springs, at least in the rears for now.

I am not really sure why KYB ditched the GR-2 name, or ditched the silver color. "Excel-G" is not as recognizable of a name in my opinion.

In related news to my Flu.. it has given me too much alone time with the internets, and I bought myself a set of JDM smoked tails for my car. I bought a full set for $100, which I thought was a really good deal. Now I have to find some amber strobe bulbs since the turn signals are clear on these...

[Dead91silvia]

You know, I saw a add on TV last night for the SUV thingy and thought those wheels might be kinda cool on a Legacy.

What size are they? 16's or 17's? I would rock those on one of my Legacy's if I found a set for the right price.

[rkrenicki]

They are 17x7 with an offset of 48 and of course the 5x100 bolt pattern.

The are not really that cheap. I bought mine from subarupartsforyou.com with local pickup for $300/each plus tax and center caps. If you can find someone who has an XV and is getting new wheels, I would highly recommend trying to buy the rims off of them.

[Dead91silvia]

Nice! I'll keep an eye our for them. I have an in with some of the local yards too if by chance one comes in. :smt023

[rkrenicki]

Not too much new, but I am on the upswing from my Flu. I took a little bit of time and changed out my lugnuts with the new black ones. I think they look pretty good, but I am a little disappointed that they got scratched up just by putting them on. I thought they were powder coated, but I guess they were just painted.

The new nuts are about twice as long overall as the original ones. they stick out a bit, but not past the wheel itself. I am not 100% sure if I like the way that looks, so I will have to give it some time before I decide.

This post will be updated with pictures shortly.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0022-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0023-1.jpg

[chrish8r]

I had bought my lugnuts from the autoparts store and the paint just looked awful after taking them on and off a couple times. Ill just have to save up to get some quality McGard or Gorilla lug nuts.

[rkrenicki]

So, after looking at other cars on here, seeing amgarrety's D-type front end, and talking to YamazakiSubaru.. I had the idea in my head to turn my car into a full blown RS30 replica. I started looking at D-Type front ends, aluminium hoods, B4 rear glass and a rear wiper, badges badges and more badges... I even sent an offer to someone on ebay for a JDM H6 engine cover for $170 (which he declined! thank goodness)... then I brought myself back to reality before I spent thousands of dollars on something that will not do anything to the car but make it look a different..

......

In the meantime, the BEE that I have will not get any more significant changes.. Once the wheels are done, the badges (that I have) are put on, and whatever I end up doing with the suspension is done.. the car will be "complete".

Well, so much for my willpower, lol.

Over the last two weeks, I have bought an aluminium D-type hood, smoked JDM tails, and D-type headlights. I am going to use the Outback front bumper for now but that will likely be changed out at some point in the future, and I have no plans on removing the outback door trim although I will debadge them.

I would like to do the rear wiper at some point, but that is pretty far away at this point.

[amgarrety]

I would like to do the rear wiper at some point, but that is pretty far away at this point.


Let me know when you do, I might jump into that with you and split shipping. I'm in the process of trying to set something similar up for a rear bumper.

[Yamazaki]

Get a D type front bumper or else your D type grille won't fit. Check out that S401 you posted.


But welcome to the US D type club!

[rkrenicki]

Get a D type front bumper or else your D type grille won't fit. Check out that S401 you posted.

I know that there will be a gap below the grill to start which will just be larger because of the Outback bumper, but I need to take a little break from spending for a little while. I can live with it in the "short term".

[rkrenicki]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0030-1.jpg

[amgarrety]

You got one already?

[rkrenicki]

Yes, apparently I ordered one when I was home sick and it showed up today. That must have been why I was thinking so much about that grill, lol. I had honestly forgotten about it.

[rkrenicki]

Holy crap that was fast. This was shipped less than 35 hours ago!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG00311-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0033-1.jpg

The grill that is on it is pretty beat up, but the other one I have is in very good shape.

I am really surprised as to how light this hood is.. the whole package was just over 20kg, the hood has to be less than 15kg on its own.

[Yamazaki]

I am really surprised as to how light this hood is.. the whole package was just over 20kg, the hood has to be less than 15kg on its own.
It's great, isn't it? When you get Japanese front and rear bumpers, you'll lose even more weight.

[rkrenicki]

Speaking of which, what did you do about the bumper beams, did you change those out as well?

I had not thought about changing the back bumper, but the weight savings may make up for the hassle.

[Yamazaki]

Yeah, I had to change the bumper beam. The old one didn't fit with the Blitzen bumper.

[rkrenicki]

I installed the small-cell honeycomb grill onto the hood since it is too dark to actually do any work on the car at this point. I wonder if the hood deflector that I have will mount on this hood, I dont really see why it wouldn't since it only connects in a few spots.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0035-1.jpg

And thank you to YamazakiSubaru for the emblem trade that we worked out. The Subaru one is actually from a USDM Impreza, but it is the same style as the JDM 3rd gen emblem although it is about 10% larger than the JDM one overall.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0034-1.jpg

[98legwag]

The hood and the emblems look pretty sweet. I really like the "6 boxer" one.

[rkrenicki]

I think I am going to ditch the wind deflector in the end. It is not going to fit perfectly, and it throws off the lines of the hood and grill.

My smoked tails finally showed up, and I swapped on the finisher panel this morning. I forgot to bring my new strobe bulbs and drill so I am going to wait to replace the corners until I have those handy. I have never seen the JDM smoked tails in real life before, I was a little surprised at how much darker they are, but they look real nice. They are a very welcome change to the car.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0040-1.jpg

I am going to try to get the debadge done today since it is over 50 degrees outside, however my office building has no power due to the storm last night.. If power comes back on before lunchtime, I hope to get all of those Outback badges off today.

[Huffer]

Get some rockblocker on the leading edge of that hood... and the front bumper.

I'm jealous of you!

[1996Battlewagon]

That RS 3.0 badge is sick!

[amgarrety]

Wow I'm amazed at the progress on this car! It looks like I'm going to have some 6-clylinder competition at this meet! I'll no longer be the only silver D-type with a BFM :P

[rkrenicki]

Wow I'm amazed at the progress on this car! It looks like I'm going to have some 6-clylinder competition at this meet! I'll no longer be the only silver D-type with a BFM :P

Too bad I wont have a D-type bumper so it will not be perfect, but I fully intend on having the car "done"™ before the meet.

I am pretty annoyed at myself today, as I had alot of things that I wanted to do to the car today and I forgot just about all of the tools needed to do them. The few tools that I did end up bringing with me, depend on power which we do not have in my work garage right now.

[Dead91silvia]

I told ya that seller is bad ass! Nice to see you got it fast and the parts are good too!

[rkrenicki]

Debadge complete! I need to buff it out a little bit, but the badges themselves are off now. I still have no power in that building, but I ran an extension cord from a building that has a generator.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0041-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/01/IMAG0042_zpsa60cc1d7-1.jpg

[Lancaster6]

That looks great, what are your plans for filling in the holes on the plastic paneling? I want to do the same to mine but those pesky holes are the only things holding me back.

[rkrenicki]

I have new badges to go on, once I clean up the paint underneath a bit. It does not really show in the pictures, but the outline of the old badges can be seen fairly easily still. I do have badges for the sides as well, but I only have one of them here at the moment so that will wait until the next one shows up.

It actually looks like they are not holes but indents as it does not seem to pass all of the way though the plastic.

[Lancaster6]

Hmm, interesting. I have a new badge to go into the "Outback" on the tailgate, so those holes won't be an issue, but it will not match the same badges on the side trim, nor do I have any badges for those pieces. Good to know that the trim pieces don't have holes that appear to go all the way through. Back to the drawing board for now. Can't wait to see those badges installed on your BEE though!

[rkrenicki]

I feel bad posting multiple times per day, but I have managed to really get some progress on the car in the last few days.

Today I changed out the rest of the tail lights, but I am not drilling the holes for the hide-a-way strobes afterall. It turns out one of the amber bulbs that I bought broke during shipping, and there is no point in doing just one. I may look at LED alternatives that do not necessarily go in the corners since I cant really find a good spot to put them in the D-type headlights anyways.

I also put on the Subaru logo that I have on the right side of the trunk. I have not put the RS30 or Piston 6 on yet..

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0045_zpsf8c7bf43-1.jpg

The reason why I have not put the other ones on yet, is that side has some residue that I cant seem to remove. I tried to take a picture of it, but it is pretty faint to begin with so it is hard to photograph. In the picture below, you can see an outline of the "H6-3.0" and a little bit of the O in Outback. I have been using Goo Gone and a plastic razor blade to try to get it off, but it just won't budge.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0044_zps9fc6ba20-1.jpg

I am looking for suggestions on how to deal with this residue. I would like it gone before I put the new emblems on.

[amgarrety]

Try acetone to get the residue off, and then rinse it with water right after. Thats what I did and it worked well. You could also try a chemical like simple green or bleach white.

-edit-

Sorry, just realized you said you tried goo gone. It might help to heat it up with a heat gun first, then try acetone again. With it being cold, that might make it more resilient to chemicals (though I can't say that for sure).

[Yamazaki]

I am looking for suggestions on how to deal with this residue. I would like it gone before I put the new emblems on.
This sounds like something to post in the "Ask a detailer" thread....

[rkrenicki]

That's funny, I was just posting it over there as you two replied.

[rkrenicki]

...Too bad I wont have a D-type bumper so it will not be perfect...

Scratch that. I will have a bumper in time, just depends on the weather if I can install it in time..

I hope to dig out my dremel this weekend and get the new headlights installed so that I can change out the hood this weekend too. The bumper should be here either Tuesday or Wednesday, so if I get a warmish day this week, that should go on too.

It is getting pretty cramped in my BG, since my old wheels, tail lights and the JDM hood are currently being stored in it.

[Yamazaki]

Excellent.

[98legwag]

I am liking where this is going.....

[rkrenicki]

Not much done today to the car, but I did bake and paint the D-type headlights to have a flat beam pattern. I also just realized that I need to hack the wiring up to do these, as I modified the A-C ones with my USDM headlight connector. I will probably end up reselling the A-C ones, so I do not want to cut that off..

Perhaps I will put the JDM connector straight to the car harness this time..

[amgarrety]

Perhaps I will put the JDM connector straight to the car harness this time..

That's what I did with my A-C headlights, not knowing the D-type lights used the same exact connector, so it was a pleasant surprise when I didn't have to do any additional wiring.


Also, which D-type bumper did you get? Was it a wagon bumper or a sedan bumper?

[rkrenicki]

It is from an RSK, so it is the right kind :)

I do have the wrong grill for an RS30 replica, but I also have the wrong doors and rear bumper.. But, it is close enough for me to call it a "Lifted USDM RS30" when I am all done.

[amgarrety]

Are you referring to fitment? I actually don't believe there is a difference in the D-type bumpers. My bumper is a from a wagon and I haven't seen any weird fitment issues, but it could be entirely possible both of my grilles are from wagons. Yama would know for sure.

I really like the RSK bumpers, and considered buying one when I bought the rest of my front end. I can't wait to see it!

[rkrenicki]

Well, it is the right kind for a Sedan, and the RS30 specifically. I had asked elady01 specifically for one from an RS, RSK, or RS30 with the beam included and she found one pretty quickly for me.

[amgarrety]

Yeah, that seller is awesome. How much did it cost you to get a bumper shipped over here from them? I would definitely trust them to get me a rear bumper.

[rkrenicki]

I PMed you with it and the link. I may end up having to repaint both the hood and bumper as they are a different silver.

The hood is 01G and the bumper is 17K which I guess are both Platinum Silver Metallic. That is why I asked about the color difference on your car. I have not yet put the hood up against the car to see the difference.. but it will be as is for the meet that is for sure.

[Yamazaki]

Y'know, at the meet we will have four D type cars and all will have different front ends. Cool.

[amgarrety]

^True. S401, Blitzen, Sedan, and Wagon. That's awesome. This is probably the only place in the US that you will find four different D-type front ends in the same place.

[rkrenicki]

I am going to get this D-type front end on this week no matter what. I brought my car into work again today so that I can put the headlights in. I am replacing the connectors on the car with the JDM type because it will never go back to the USDM lights at this point.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0063_zps947a707a-1.jpg

I trimmed the metal on the drivers side and mounted the headlight. It is very very cold out today, even with the nose of the car in the equipment garage I needed to come in and warm up some before starting the passenger side.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0064_zpsc90264ed-1.jpg

I did notice that my levelers no longer work. I hooked them back up to the A-C and they are fine there, so I am not sure what is different between them.

[Yamazaki]

I did notice that my levelers no longer work. I hooked them back up to the A-C and they are fine there, so I am not sure what is different between them.
There shouldn't be any difference. I used a '00 (C type) wiring diagram to wire up my '02 (D type) lights. They are all compatible.

[rougeben83]

for your residue problems, a hair dryer and warming up the area just a little bit will allow the gunk to be more malleable, especially in cold weather. Goo gone usually needs to soak into the stuff for a few seconds for it to work at its best...I also used 3M adhesive remover with good results in the past. What ever light stuff it left I take some polishing compound and smooth out the surface and then a cutting wax like zymol...

[rkrenicki]

Well, after freezing my butt off.. the lights are in. The levelers still do not work, but I will deal with them later. For some reason, I always seem to break the plastic clip on the bottom of the drivers side light, all three of the headlights that I have had on the car have had that same clip break. All of the passenger ones survive just fine.. I guess I will run by the dealer and see if they sell that clip.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0066_zpsf4df6263-1.jpg

Now, I can put the hood on, depending on the weather over the next few days.

As for the residue, I will be giving it another whack later in the week when it warms up some more and I have a claybar kit on the way as well.

[amgarrety]

Well, after freezing my butt off.. the lights are in. The levelers still do not work, but I will deal with them later. For some reason, I always seem to break the plastic clip on the bottom of the drivers side light, all three of the headlights that I have had on the car have had that same clip break. All of the passenger ones survive just fine.. I guess I will run by the dealer and see if they sell that clip.


Did your levelers work with the A-C type lights? Because I may be noticing a trend here, as my levelers stopped working when I swapped to D-type as well. And its funny you mention that clip, because I have broken that exact clip on every single piar of lights I've had on the car (4 pair), but the passenger side was always fine. Yama actually broke it on my D-type lights while test fitting them, and he was even trying to keep it in tact. I don't think it is all that vital though. I've never noticed any difference without that clip, but then again, I don't believe I've ever driven with it in tact. That being said, there is no rattling or anything, it's just easier to remove the light now because you don't have to yank that clip off of the body.

[rkrenicki]

Yes, they worked great on the old headlights, but I get nothing out of the D-type lights, not even a buzz.

I did manage to find the part number for the clip, and my dealer will sell me a few for $4 each. I would not say that they are vital, however the fit is not perfect without it. Where the headlight meets up with the fender, the gap on the bottom is bigger than the gap on the top. The line was perfect on the first try with the functioning clip. There must be something different about that side that gives it a propensity to break. Each and every passenger light has survived multiple removals, but that drivers side breaks on the first try..

The part number is 84943AE010 for the driver side, and 84943AE000 for the passenger side. My dealer did not have them on the shelf, but they are ordering them for me to get here sometime later in the week.

[chrish8r]

This is coming together very nice. Hopefully Ill make it to the meet to see it

[Yamazaki]

The part number is 84943AE010 for the driver side, and 84943AE000 for the passenger side. My dealer did not have them on the shelf, but they are ordering them for me to get here sometime later in the week.
You mind getting an extra set for me? I'll hand you the money when you get here.

[rkrenicki]

Sure, I had asked for two sets so I could restore the ones on my A-C lights which are destined for resale. I will call him in the morning and see if he can add another set to the request.

Did you want both sides, or just the drivers side?

[Yamazaki]

Both sides, just in case. Thanks!

[rkrenicki]

It is a craptacular picture because it got dark, but I had just enough time before the sun set to put the hood on. It is not perfectly aligned, but it is on there and that is all that matters to me!

I cannot really close the hood that well because the bumper interferes a little bit, but the JDM bumper should be here tomorrow, wednesday at the latest. Once the bumper is here, I will take the time to align everything properly. I also need to swap over the hood liner, as the new hood did not come with one.


I also received a new SL-i decal from Huffer today, so that will be going back on the rear finisher panel again when it warms up a little bit.

[amgarrety]

Very nice! I had to do some alignment as well. Granted mine was mostly due to the accident I had, but it definitely didn't fit quite like the original hood I had put on and realigned after the accident.

Can't wait to see the completed front end! I'm really excited about this!

[rkrenicki]

Both sides, just in case. Thanks!

Hey Yama, this was your 2000th post. :smt023

[rkrenicki]

Better picture time. In looking at the lines, I have it on there pretty good. I need to mess around with the drivers side a little bit but all in all they are pretty straight.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0067_zps1631759d-1.jpg

The color match is very very close, it is only ever so slightly lighter in tone.

[Dead91silvia]

I cant wait to see this is person so you better show up to the meet! LOL

The hood matches with the bumper almost perfect, other then the grill being 'high'. I would have thought the corners by the headlights and the hood would have been off.

[rkrenicki]

Actually, the hood and bumper do not line up well at all. The tabs on the bumper are too high, and are bending behind the front of the hood. In fact, I think it is bending the hood out a little too. It also has that same 1" gap between the grill and the bumper that I had with the other USDM Legacy grill, but that was expected.

I am not leaving the hood all of the way down until the new bumper gets here, I pushed it down for the pictures only.

I will absolutely be at the meet, everything is booked and this car will be "done" for it as well.

[rkrenicki]

Here is some detail of the bumper interference. With the hood completely closed, it has no place to go but to push the bumper itself back.. or pull the hood itself forward, but since the bumper is plastic, I am hoping it is being bent instead of the hood. But, with the gap that you can see there it looks more like the hood is being bent. This is why I am not closing the hood all the way except for these pictures.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0070_zps3f13e1e8-1.jpg

You can see the width difference better here:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0071_zps8dfbd4d0-1.jpg


With the new bumper on the way, I have been researching what is needed to remove the existing one. I find it hard to believe that it is only two bolts and 11 clips, but there it is. I removed the passenger side bolt today without an issue, the drivers side bolt came about halfway out before it decided to start spinning in place. I can't see all that well up in there, but it looks like it is going into a speed clip on the fender, so at least I will be able to replace the connection point when I get it off.

[Yamazaki]

Yeah, bumpers remove so easily...

And it's only eight bolts to put on the bumper beam. Easy day.

[Dead91silvia]

Ahh... Ok, the other pics didnt show it so well. I remember this from doing Yamazaki's Blitzen.

[rkrenicki]

No bumper today, for some reason it did not ship until last night. I will likely see it tomorrow, Friday at the latest. In the meantime, I will be working on removing the existing bumper cover and beam so I can whip it right on.

Yama or amgarrety: Do you know if the fog light connectors are different?

[amgarrety]

Mine were exactly the same. It was a direct swap. Now, I have a different bumper (both stock and D-type) than you, but I'm pretty sure it will still be a direct swap.

[Yamazaki]

What's funny is that while amgarrety's foglights were a direct connect for him, they weren't for the Outback. Neither are the CIBIE lights of the Blitzen bumper... I'm going to go out on a limb and say that- unless you got a Lancaster bumper (which I know you didn't), it won't be a direct fit.

[amgarrety]

I think mine was direct because I went from projector fog to projector fog. You went from outback fog to CIBIE fog, and he has to go from outback fog to projector fog. So I'm thinking this might be a 50/50 chance. On one hand, maybe we all have the same connector on the car, and CIBIE lights have an odd connector, making a direct swap for rkrenicki and I, but not you. On the other hand, the problem could be that the outback itself had a different connector than the sedan, in which case I would be the only one with a direct swap, the noticeable error with this idea being that my bumper is from a wagon. So if my sedan can directly swap to a wagon bumper, there may be a chance that an outback may swap directly to a sedan bumper.

That is all just guessing though. We'll likely just have to all find out together.

[Yamazaki]

Well, you remember that I was using the wagon bumper before you got it.

What's funny is that while amgarrety's foglights were a direct connect for him, they weren't for the Outback.
So if the sedan projector is like the wagon projector, he'll have to alter his connectors a little in order for them to fit.

[rkrenicki]

Nothing is ever easy is it? I went into this thinking two bolts and 11 easy plastic clips.

The top 5 clips came out very easily, no problems at all.

The bottom has not 6 but 9 clips (two on each edge, and one behind each fog that I did not know about) and each and every one of them kicked and screamed their way out. Okay.. maybe it was me who was kicking and screaming.. but nonetheless they were a pain. I also did not know that the fog lights have to come out first, as they connect to both the bumper and the beam, and the bumper wraps around the back of them.

So, in the end.. I got all of the clips out and one of the bolts out. The stupid bumper is still attached by one bolt, which I am just going to end up cutting as I picked up new clips and bolts at the dealer this afternoon when I picked up the headlight clips.

Bumper skin "mostly" off.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0077_zps0a1ce855-1.jpg

New clips and bolts for the edges:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0074_zpse8588af4-1.jpg

Outback bumper beam off the car:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0076_zpsa14eee36-1.jpg

Tabs on ends of Outback beam. It is funny, this is the only real rust on the whole car. By some miracle, the rest of the car is virtually rust free.:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0075_zps19eb40ed-1.jpg

I also swapped the hood insulator over to the JDM hood as it did not come with one. I also swapped around the sprayer nozzles as I had recently replaced them. I will need to see if I can get my hands on the evap label for the hood, I would probably put it over on the right side where there is no current label.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0078_zps072fa504-1.jpg

Speaking of the sprayers.. Oddly enough, they are different on this hood. The hoses are different lengths, the splitter is I guess in a different spot, and the the JDM ones have two streams where the USDM one has a fan pattern. Of all the things to change, this was the one thing I did not think they would have done. As of right now, I am using all the JDM hoses and splitters, and just the sprayers themselves are USDM.


As for the fog lights, I am not that worried about it after taking this apart. I did not know that my fogs had another connector inline, I thought it was just the 9006 bulb connector. I have seen this two pole inline connector before, I am sure I can source some new connectors and splice them in on the JDM fogs.

[Yamazaki]

You may want to swap those sprayer nozzles back. Look at them carefully. The Japanese ones are different from the US ones. They are more focused.

[rkrenicki]

Thats funny, I just edited my post with my comments on the sprayers. I may, as the USDM ones always seem to overshoot the window. That was the reason why I bought new ones to begin with, but it did not help. I just assumed that is the way it was. They overshoot on this hood as well.

[amgarrety]

The reason they shoot so high is to compensate for high speeds. If you spray your windshield on the highway you'll find it sprays in a more practical area. Personally I don't care for the JDM sprayer nozzles as much, but I don't care to swap them out this time (I did with my first hood). One of the nozzles is a slight bit clogged so I just need to clean that out.

[rkrenicki]

If you spray your windshield on the highway you'll find it sprays in a more practical area.

I do not think I have noticed that, but I try not to spray them on the highway as I figure it is just going to clean the car behind me instead of mine, hah!

[98legwag]

The reason they shoot so high is to compensate for high speeds. If you spray your windshield on the highway you'll find it sprays in a more practical area. Personally I don't care for the JDM sprayer nozzles as much, but I don't care to swap them out this time (I did with my first hood). One of the nozzles is a slight bit clogged so I just need to clean that out.
I never thought of that either. I swapped my nozzle sprays for ones from a 3rd gen. The 2nd gen has the 2 streams vs the 3rd gen fan spray. I like the fan spray much better. Although, when stopped it sprays the roof too....

[nikolaus.conrad]

I have the USDM 3rd gen fan sprayers in my hood and I love them! Much better than 4 jets blasting the glass lol

[rkrenicki]

Lots of progress today! I had three deliveries today all car related. The bumper showed up, and "installed". The fogs are not currently connected, but I am building the wiring tails for them right now. I am struggling a little bit with fitment, but it is physically mounted. It is too cold outside today to keep messing with it, so I will fine tune it after this storm we are getting.

Here is the beam installed, and the bumper ready to go on.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0079_zps442d1cf9-1.jpg

Bumper on!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0083_zps131490ee-1.jpg

Close up of some of the fitment issues. There is a pretty big gap between the fender and the bumper, and the bumper keeps popping out of the clip here. The other side has the same problem as well:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0081_zps74bcde07-1.jpg

There is an issue with some of the brackets and the mud guards in front of the wheel well. I think I am going to need to track some down from a Legacy to make it all fit properly.

Since my US license plate will not bolt straight up without an adapter, I whipped on the Japanese plate that I have. I do not believe that I can leave this on all the time in CT, so it is purely temporary right now:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0087_zps5cece70c-1.jpg

I changed out the headlight clips today since I had it all apart. For the first time in a very very long time, both headlights are properly attached to the car with all of the intended fasteners.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0080_zps732982e1-1.jpg

My claybar kit showed up the other day, so I tackled the old badge residue. It came right off, I was amazed at how something so simple could do such a good job. I went around and did all of the residue around the car, but I finally put the RS30 and Piston 6 badges on.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0088_zps91e23477-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0089_zps8a5841c1-1.jpg

I also received these new Osram "disappearing" yellow turn signal bulbs. They are a very light blue color when off, and yellow when on. Here is a comparison between normal 7507NA bulbs and the new Osram ones. It is not a big difference, but I think it looks pretty good. I found these for about $6 a bulb which is an amazing price for this type of bulb, they are usually $14 each or higher. I stocked up and bought 10.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0091_zps2d7505e5-1.jpg

This is the JDM lights with normal 7507NAs:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0090_zpsfd14f4fc-1.jpg

This is the JDM lights with the new OSRAM bulbs:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0092_zpsdb0dbb4e-1.jpg

And finally, this is of the OSRAM bulbs lit, there is no hint of blue:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMAG0094_zpsaabd9b11-1.jpg

I also changed out all of the brake lights with Honda 3496 type bulbs which are about twice as bright as the standard P21/5W bulbs. They are clear and nothing to look at so I did not photograph them.

[Dead91silvia]

Looks good! We had a fitment problem with Yamazaki's bumper as well. Cant remember if it fixed it's self or not.

Cant wait to see it in person.

[rkrenicki]

There is a bracket that comes from the frame to the bottom of the bumper right infront of the wheel well. The one on the car has another piece of metal welded onto it that is about an inch lower than the rest of the bracket which I am struggling to get the clip into. I am willing to bet that the legacy one does not have that extra piece of metal, and it would line right up.

Otherwise, the front two hook went straight into a piece of plastic which needed to be trimmed a little bit, and the mud covers currently are shaped for the Outback fogs, so they are big scoops under the bumper ripe to scoop up snow and whatnot.

There is a junkyard nearby that has a 2001 or 2002 Legacy wagon, so I will go take a peek at it sometime this weekend to see what pieces I can pull from it to clean this up.

[rkrenicki]

Oh what a long way she has come.. I did not clean her up, I just went back to that same school and snapped off a few shots with my point and shoot.

Before:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1017-1.jpg

After:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMG_2468_zps8a1914d61_zps9a016746-1.jpg



Before Rear:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/IMG_1022-1.jpg

After Rear:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMG_2464_zps7207beb31_zps50e890ec-1.jpg


And my favorite shot tonight:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/02/IMG_2467_zpse9d9dc221_zps27514072-1.jpg

[Lancaster6]

Looks great!! Can't wait to see it in person. :D

[Yamazaki]

What is with you guys and Japanese plates? At least amgarrety's makes sense. Yours comes from a commercial vehicle out of Osaka....

[rkrenicki]

Yea well, it was given to me and it is what I had kicking around. I knew it was from Osaka but did not know it was commercial.

I will be fabricating up an adapter for my US plate as I need to have both on in Connecticut. I cannot leave this one on for any real amount of time, I just didnt want a big gap during the pictures.

Speaking of that whole area, I will likely plastidip the plate area and the scoop below it black to bring back some of that black on silver look that I had on the Outback bumper.

[amgarrety]

At least amgarrety's makes sense.

I take that as a compliment.

Damn! I can't believe the progress on this car! I honestly can't wait to get some pictures of our cars together, not to mention the other D-type cars that will be at the meet. But it's cool that I have a stateside D-type sibling of sorts. It's like, we both have silver D-type Legacies, but yours is non-turbo sedan while mine is turbo wagon, and I'm B4 while you're RS30. So we're very similar, yet very different. That's awesome.

[Yamazaki]

Don't forget jverendia. He's another one of the D type "Silver Siblings"....

[jverendia]

but im not complete yet. haha after the tax return i hope to be done.

[rkrenicki]

Far it for me to question you Yama, but aren't commercial plates inverted in color? I am trying to remember what my friend said it came from, but I think it was a mini-truck? Does that make sense?

Do you have any insights about my fitment issues? Since you have done pretty much this exact change, I thought you may have a pointer or two about these brackets.

As for jverendia, he is not one yet! But I can't wait to see his done as well.

We just need to get some D-type conversions going on the west coast too.. since all of us are along the eastern seaboard, hah!

[amgarrety]

Speaking of that whole area, I will likely plastidip the plate area and the scoop below it black to bring back some of that black on silver look that I had on the Outback bumper.

I want so bad to make a joke about you copying me, but to tell you the truth, I was just about to suggest it to you. That would look so good on your bumper.

[rkrenicki]

Speaking of that whole area, I will likely plastidip the plate area and the scoop below it black to bring back some of that black on silver look that I had on the Outback bumper.

I want so bad to make a joke about you copying me, but to tell you the truth, I was just about to suggest it to you. That would look so good on your bumper.

I hadnt said anything until now because I thought you might think that. The whole area has a recessed outline, so my thought was to plastidip everything within that line.

[Yamazaki]

Far it for me to question you Yama, but aren't commercial plates inverted in color? I am trying to remember what my friend said it came from, but I think it was a mini-truck? Does that make sense?

Do you have any insights about my fitment issues? Since you have done pretty much this exact change, I thought you may have a pointer or two about these brackets.
Mini-trucks usually are commercial vehicles. So are certain super-lame wagons. I'll show you what I'm talking about when you get here.

Are you asking about the license plate bracket? Check out my Blitzen. I solved it in two different ways (front and rear). You can decide which way you like.

[rkrenicki]

The fitment issues of the bumper itself, the bottom brackets do not line up, and the sides keep trying to pop out of the fender clip. I have a good idea what I am going to do with the plate mount, but I need to pick up some aluminum stock at the hardware store to make what I need.

[Yamazaki]

Well, I have Japanese fenders, remember? I never had those fitment issues.... well, not there anyway. The fenders create a whole different set of fitment issues....

[rkrenicki]

I dont think its a fender issue exactly. When pushed in, it clips in just fine and looks pretty good.

Mostly I am asking about the bottom support brackets on each end that I cannot seem to get lined up, and the mud guards that were molded around the Outback headlights.

[Yamazaki]

Umm.....then I have no idea. I don't have the issues you are describing. And even though the bumpers are different shapes, I wouldn't think that would make a difference....

[amgarrety]

Did you get back in behind the fenders and screw those two bolts back in? I remember Yama had this problem when he had the Legacy fenders on because they needed to break one of the bolts when removing them from the donor car (due to rust, like I told you about). Mine don't have this problem, and I know I have all of the bolts in.

[98legwag]

You guys and your Type-D's....they do look amazing.

[rkrenicki]

Did you get back in behind the fenders and screw those two bolts back in? I remember Yama had this problem when he had the Legacy fenders on because they needed to break one of the bolts when removing them from the donor car (due to rust, like I told you about). Mine don't have this problem, and I know I have all of the bolts in.

Yes, I actually put brand new bolts and clips in there as I also ended up breaking one.

[rkrenicki]

I stopped at the grocery store this evening as my wife wanted some eggs and butter before the major snowstorm we are getting tomorrow. Nothing like last minute grocery shopping before a storm to get your blood pressure up there...

Anyways, when I pulled in I parked next to an 01 or 02 BH and the owner was sitting in it. He noticed the wheels and asked me where they came from as I was about to walk by. I mentioned that they are from a Crosstrek and after a little more conversation involving the changes that I have made to the car and him taking a photo of it to show his friend who is also into Subarus.. I pointed him to this forum so he will likely come check it all out!

[Huffer]

^^ Boom! Nice one.

[nikolaus.conrad]

Nice!! Those wheels do look amazing btw, they really go well with your car