JDM and US Legacy foglight comparison

[r_willy]

Couldn't find much solid info about fit differences between JDM foglights and the stockers on my '97 US Legacy GT, so now here's a couple of pictures for reference:

http://www.i-club.com/gallery/showphoto ... mit/recent (http://www.i-club.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3658/size/big/limit/recent)
http://www.i-club.com/gallery/showphoto ... mit/recent (http://www.i-club.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3660/size/big/limit/recent)

Hope this helps others!

[Huffer]

Links are no good unless you join the forum... (just a heads up, that's all).

[ooberdoob]

thanks for teh warning huffer!

[Wiscon_Mark]

doesn't look like there's that much difference in size, actually. The JDMs just have a slighter curve to them...thanks for the info and comparison :D

[Legacy4Life]

Just curious to know the reason why this thread is running.

Is it just to put some info in the forum regarding swaping JDM fogs with stock USDM fogs? Or is someone trying to see if there's much difference because they're interested in buying some?

Michael

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'd assume its just for info, but its nice to have either way.

I bet Masube would've liked to have seen this before he went hacking his bumper ;)

[r_willy]

The purpose of my original post was to provide a little more substance on this conversion option. I assume that the availability of JDM lights has made people wonder what's involved in installing them on a US car -- basic conclusion is that they aren't simply a drop-in. Measurements are ~ 11" x 3 3/8" US vs. 11" x 4 1/4" on the Japanese lights, which is a fair chunk of extra height that needs to be found. Looks like much of the cutting needs to be done along the outward side of the bumper light opening. Also worth noting that these specs don't include what space may be required to accommodate custom mounting hardware as well.

[Legacy4Life]

It is quite a bit of work. I installed the set of JDM fogs on my USDM car and there was quite a bit of cutting of the bumper to make them fit. I originally thought they were gonna be "plug and play", but they're most definitely not. Also I had to modify the brackets extensively, but was still able to retain 3 screws of the 4 into the lamp. I had to make new holes to attach the bracket and actually notch out the corner of the bumper too (the real bumper behind the dressing).

In the end it was a two evening job, about 4 hours for the first side and 2 hours for the second. I changed the wiring logic too so that I have full control over when they're on and off including the turn ones on the outside.

I tried to get them off to take some pictures and do a DIY but I fought with them for quite a while and they're really in there. I was actually afraid of breaking them to get them off.

It is possible to do the mod... it takes time and a fair bit of elbow grease! But I love the appearance afterwards. :-D I have pics of the finished job my page at Car Domain.