[Yukonart]

Okay, so I was going to do this uber-detailed thread describing the installation of Subaru's JDM foglight kit for the Impreza lineup. Fact is, it's so darn easy to do, I'm just going to go over the basics with pictures.

When you order the kit, you'll receive a medium-sized box. In that box will be your foglight surrounds (in the color to match your car, hopefully) and this little box here.


In this smaller box, you'll find the following:
(2) foglight housings (with bulbs)
(2) foglight housing mounting brackets
(6) mounting bracket screws (3 per side)
(1) Foglight switch for the cabin
(1) Foglight relay, to be installed in the cabin's fusepanel
(1) Set of step-by-step instructions. . . in Japanese


So it's in Japanese? So what? The pictures are quite useful, and the rest of the install is quite intuative if you know your car in the least.


This is where the foglight switch will be installed. Basically, pick a blank you're not already using.


Here (under the steering column) you can see the vacant plug just itching for a foglight relay to be plugged-in.


Now, if you don't have a JDM bumper beam to accommodate the larger foglight housings, you'll probably need to do this to your existing bumper (or to a donor USDM beam I acquired). I recommend the JDM beam, in retrospect.


If you must cut your existing beam, this is what it should look like when you're done. Bear in mind a torch was used for the front (to get the smooth cut) and a cutoff wheel used in the back for a simple notch job. Two coats of primer, and two light coats of paint were then applied to prevent corrosion.



Okay, if you've gone this route, your two foglight cover cavities should look something like this. If you went the JDM bumper beam route, you shouldn't see ANY bumper beam. Note: On the driver's side, the small amount of foam shock absorber showing is perfectly normal.



Here is where I happened to plug-in the switch. It was actually the last blank I had. The wire for the plug is behind the panel that holds all four. Removing the lower half of the dash (just below the steering column) is required for this step. It's extremely easy to do, and I believe the instructions show all the bolt and clip locations. . . not that there are many to begin with.


Here is one of the light housings mounted. Mounting is simple. Each of the brackets slide over tabs on the back of each light housing prior to installation. Then, plug the housing into the taped-up wire in the cavity. Seriously, the harness is just waiting behind each one to have a housing plugged into it. Now, if you're doing what I did and ordered clear lenses, but opted to change-out the stock bulbs for a set of Ion Crystal PIAAs, then you'll want to do that BEFORE you do any of this.


Note here how the notching of the BACK of the bumper beam is required to fit the larger JDM housings. The shape I cut the fronts in was to accommodate the "browless" foglight surrounds.


Here's a closeup of one of the installed housings. Even with the PIAA bulb in there (which is blue but lights-up yellow for fog) you can't see any color. I love this look. . . so clean.


When finished, you get larger JDM foglights that actually light-up the road with a flood of yellow (or whichever color lens you selected) light that, in my case, does a very good job of cutting through the foggy darkness.





NOTE: If anyone would like any more documented detail into doing this, I can certainly take more pictures and post a few more steps for clarification. Just say so.

[Rac10000]

Thats Awesome! Thanks Yukonart.

Do you know of any negative aspects of the JDM bumper beam (except for the additional price)?

[slow_sti]

Good write up.. i think ill be purchasing some jdm fogs in the near future

[Yukonart]

Originally Posted by Rac10000

Do you know of any negative aspects of the JDM bumper beam (except for the additional price)?

It's been debated a few times. . . but I'll sum-up what I've determined for myself. . . take the opinion for what it is, though.

In a real crash, neither beam will really save the car. . . so don't even worry about that. In a parking lot situation, the USDM beam will certainly protect the car (mainly radiator, AC condensor, etc) better than the JDM beam. However. . . I've come to realize the USDM beam is good for more than 5mph impact. . . probably closer to 10mph.

This all started making more sense to me when I put it into perspective with the North American market Evo. Why isn't the Evo offered in Canada? Because the 5mph USDM bumper beam Mitsubishi shipped with it (to make sure it still accommodates the FMIC) could not stand up to the 7.5mph minimum standards in Canada.

Now back to the STi. Subaru obviously wanted to be able to sell the car in Canada, so they equipped it with a bumper beam that meets or exceeds the Canadian 7.5mph minimum requirements. Given that fact, I'm to assume our beam can absorb quite a bit more than 5mph. I don't believe it's unreasonable to think that the JDM bumper beam for the Impreza could probably hold-up to 5mph impact. . . or at least come close.

What does all this mean to us? Well, either way you're sacrificing SOME front protection. Whether or not that's an issue for you in a rolling impact is your decision. However, on the upside, you shed A LOT of understeer-inducing weight from the very tip of the car. There are more than a few people who've swapped-out to the JDM beam JUST for the weight savings. So, this cloud of doubt DOES come with its silver lining.

I initially chose to stick with a UDSM beam, mostly to protect my car should someone back into me, but I was also able to pick up a perfect unit used for around $100. Given that the JDM beam is not much more to buy, and no cutting is involved, I would recommend the JDM beam to anyone who's not concerned with some added (albeit questionable) protection retained forward of the radiator support.

As I said, I leave the decision up to the individual. I'm merely offering pros and cons to each choice. . . and illustrating how sticking with the former is a bit more work. . . but shouldn't be as vague as it was when I went to alter it. For the purposes of this thread, I am happy with my choice. It offers some information only a few have so far been able to provide.

Hope this helps.

[HenrysWrXSti]

Very nice. Hope to have these shortly. Good Job Yuk and the car is looking as sexy as ever. :wink:

[slow_sti]

this should be sticky

[AK_2005_STi]

any pictures of the beam pattern from the fogs?

[esemes]

beauty there, art.....

i was fortunate to see treys' yella jdm's recently, and WOW.........

they are even better looking in person.

nice writeup!

ese

[Datadatum]

Will JDM Fogs prevent taste loss?

Great write-up. The USDM fogs look so compromised in comparison with the JDM's (hangs head in shame).

[Paperchasin]

good job! only thing i hate is that once u remove that bumper, it doenst seem to sit properly anymore...i.e. gaps here and there....

[R4ND0M_AX3]

A local guy modified his US beam with a sawzall while it was still on the car. He just needed a freiend to lift the bumper cover slightly while he was doing it. I'd rather do that then remove the beam to modifiy it.

[Paperchasin]

Originally Posted by R4ND0M_AX3

A local guy modified his US beam with a sawzall while it was still on the car. He just needed a freiend to lift the bumper cover slightly while he was doing it. I'd rather do that then remove the beam to modifiy it.

better have some good hands...slipping there would not be a laughing matter!!

[TreyS]

Nice writeup.

One thing though, you trimmed too much off the USDM beam.

The JDM beam has the front tow hook hole so the hook threads into it.

On the USDM one, all that is needed to be trimmed is the materal from the tow-hook hole to the end of the beam and the same amount on the drivers side. That way the hook can still be threaded into the complete hole.

[STiNY]

Originally Posted by Paperchasin

good job! only thing i hate is that once u remove that bumper, it doenst seem to sit properly anymore...i.e. gaps here and there....

Not if you re-install it properly. I did the JDM beam and fogs myself. The bumper looks & fits exactly as it did prior to the mod.

[Yukonart]

Originally Posted by TreyS

Nice writeup.

One thing though, you trimmed too much off the USDM beam.

The JDM beam has the front tow hook hole so the hook threads into it.

On the USDM one, all that is needed to be trimmed is the materal from the tow-hook hole to the end of the beam and the same amount on the drivers side. That way the hook can still be threaded into the complete hole.

I thought about that, but doesn't the front hole (which I think is more for lateral support during a pull) on the JDM beam sit further back from the bumper cover? I can't see how the foglight surround on the passenger side would fit properly with that extra hole in the front still on there.



There's no threading in the front hole, only on the one in the back that's part of the upright that bolts to the front subframe. I suppose it could be argued that this might present a problem while towing, but I can't see that cutting away the front hole would pose such a problem that the car couldn't be pulled out of a situation. At worst, I think maybe the tow hook might bend a bit . . . no biggie. I can't recall the last time I've ever had to have a car "pulled" to where a towtruck could get to it, anyway.