SilentJ20

46 minutes ago, Underdog said:

Sounds like a pesky gremlin for sure. Sucks.. hope they get to the bottom of it without too many more of your dollars. 
 

That phone mount is slick! Did you drill through your double DIN faceplate to mount it? Lol at the spoiler spoiler

Thanks! The phone mount attaches to the faceplate using 3M Velcro Command Strips.  It holds strong and will be completely removable.

Did a few things recently (not all today, sorry).

FIRST, I replaced the driver side fuel level sending unit.  FINALLY my gauge reads correctly.  I've been tracking the odo and filling at 200 miles just to be cautious.

SECOND, I modified my phone mount to make it more user friendly.  I can just plop it in and the USB connects, then pull it out when done.  And since the holder now has a magnetic attachment I can hold the phone in my hand and still keep the USB connected.

Finally, I added a spoiler to my spoiler so I can downforce while I downforce.

 Stays on at highway speeds and everything.  Started as a joke with a buddy, but I think I'll leave it on a while.

6 hours ago, Gex said:

I need just the bottom of the double din for heater controls.  Anyone have just the bottom panel?  Ill probably just end up getting the whole AVO kit.  but figured I'd ask.  I want my defroster back. 

Wait, that last sentence makes me think I messed something up.  Does the regular AVO JDM kit break rear defroster?  Or am I misreading that?  It's probably something else, but my defroster doesn't work, lol.

EDIT: The light comes on and I can hear a relay click, though.  Makes me think my issue is elsewhere.

On 1/11/2023 at 1:33 AM, 08Spec_B said:

I have an 08 spec b and havent ever thought that storage space was lacking, but that being said I have changed up from the factory setup anyways.

I installed an EU console so I could get rid of the stupid sliding drink cover. With this console I also have the oem armrest extension with extra storage cubby. On top of those, I have a subietrays AP holder/divider in the main console which holds all my pens and such. If I have any loose parts or small dirty things to carry I have an jdm oe option garbage can fixed in place of the rear cupholders that can be used for storage. Phone is mounted via magnetic mount (scosche magic mount) on side of double din facia.

https://subietrays.com/collections/2005-2009-outback-legacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

In regular use I guess I don't have too many complaints about shortage in storage.  I 3d printed a phone holder solution, and most other things just stay in my pocket or on my head.  I guess I was comparing it to other cars I've owned and noticed there was a lack of cubbies.  In honestly, though, the more little nooks and crannies there are, the more cluttered a car can get.

I like the look of this Euro console.  Looks way more 'integrated' to the car.  What's the box hanging off the back, though?  After doing a bit of searching, though, it doesn't seem to be that easy to source parts for.  How long did it take you?

As I understand it, the tank is a saddle-type (fits over/on top of the driveshaft) and as such there are two fuel-level floats in the tank--one on either side.  The 42081AG03A has a float and a low-pressure pump to push to the other half of the saddle once fuel gets low enough.  The main fuel pump and float sensor is 42021AG04B, and costs significantly more (someone please correct my info if it's incorrect).

One or both of the units may be causing the problem.  I'm in a similar boat.  My gauge only goes to 1/4 tank when full, then goes down slowly.  The units will have different resistance ranges, so once I dig enough to figure it all out I should be able to test them.

Never mind, I see the parts you listed cover both level sensors.  But, because of this thread, I JUST learned the 42081AG03A can be purchased without the fuel pump assembly.

Two recent things:

A few days ago, I 3d printed a quick & dirty phone holder.  PETG filament for heat resistance.  Even though I have an Android Auto head unit it can still be very handy to have view of the phone and have quick access to it.  These cars have nonexistent cubby/storage for misc items.  This is out of the way of hvac controls, barely blocks the vent and not affected by the passenger leg-space.

Then today I replaced my disintegrating leather shift knob with a cheap SSCO delrin knob from ebay.  A little larger, but I love the feel of delrin.  It has decent weight (I prefer lighter shift knobs) and won't feel scalding hot in the summer, nor uncomfortably cold in winter.  No shift pattern, though...

Two big things (for me) I got done over the weekend:

Finished my backup camera install.  I wired it into the OEM nav screen (using THIS guide) so as to leave the stereo unaffected.  Image quality isn't the greatest in the world, but it's definitely better than having no camera.

The other, possibly controversial thing is I installed a subwoofer that required some 'modification' of the rear seat pass-through hatch.  Please don't crucify me, haha.

I tried a sub in a box in the trunk, didn't sound as good as the Infinite Baffle type installation I had in my previous car (2007 Saab 9-3, RIP).  The sub and amp are installed on a removable board, it takes up minimal trunk space and it sounds very clean and strong with less wattage and doesn't rattle the car apart while enjoying it.  I've been missing clean, deep bass for some time.  I still need to complete the install (finish wood assembly and hide the new hole with grill fabric).

I usually stay away from any mod that is not completely reversible, but I broke my rule this time.  Worth it.

I gave it a very quick early winter bath.  Not to my usual standard, but the wet roads were being unkind the past few weeks.

Hopefully an appropriate post, I'm still new here.

Shortly after obtaining my spec.B, I noticed how limited the interior storage/trays/cubbies are when you have a nav screen.  I frequently use the cup holders, and often find myself without a place to set my phone, sunglasses, small things during a drive.  The glove box is inconvenient for quick access and the center console can't be a store-all for everything else.  So, I need ideas for things that don't make the car look trashy.

What do you all do?  Dashboard tray?  Sunglasses clip?  3d printed pockets?  Magnets?

3 hours ago, KZJonny said:

That caught my interest, so I looked up their microcontroller. Neat looking unit.

Seems a little spendy to me for what you’re getting, but I would appreciate a tap to signal feature and being able to get a little brighter LED light for turns would be nice as well. (Already tried before, and got hyperflash, should have known better.) Not trying to modernize the car much, but I’ll add safety equipment all day.

Thanks for mentioning that piece.

The flasher unit is a bit spendy, but it dramatically simplifies everything else.  On my prev daily, 2007 Saab 9-3, changing any exterior light to an LED would be a nightmare (some combo of resistors & mechanical relays to satisfy CANBUS and the built-in filament health sensors).  So, when I saw how easy this flasher made it for this car, I impulse-purchased.  Also, shop around.  Most places sell it for $90, but I found it for $60 eventually.

You could probably find a LED-friendly non-smart flasher for less, but I love having the tap signal.  The LED thing was part safety, part aesthetics and part reliability.  The range of LEDs is crazy, though.  Morimoto and Diode Dynamics make some top tier stuff, and there's TONS of cheap no-name stuff.  Lasfit seems to find a happy medium.  Not had any problems with them yet.

Installed Moog swaybar end links.  While in there I noticed the LCA bushings are on their way out.  But even so, driving around with only the links replaced really quieted it down.

Also installed the Diode Dynamics SmartTap flasher unit.  So happy to have the tap-then-4-flashes for lane changes.  Then installed some Lasfit LED blinker and brake light units.  The bulbs were starting to dim and needed replacing anyways.

I know these cars don't last forever, but I'll keep taking care of mine (130k miles) as long as I can.

There are two main types of this stuff.  There is the 'Dip' material.  It's basically colored Plasti-Dip.  Easy to spray and remove when done correctly, affordable, but less permanent.  It's also relatively soft.

The other material I've heard of is a harder Liquid Wrap.  It costs more, application is similar, but the neat thing to me, is the gloss can actually be cut & polished like paint.

Dip doesn't have as many glossy options and unless the formula has changed, it won't take a polish.  What you see is what you get.  You could perhaps add more layers to even out the finish if it gets super scuffed, but defects will show though to an extent.  The Liquid Wrap is basically a vinyl wrap and more durable.

This is what I used:

USB

I was probably looking at one that had a passthrough for the heat unit asking with a charge-only usb-c, but it was out of stock.

I had to use the small plastic ring from the original cig lighter, and I had to cut & flip out the rubber tabs on the USB adapter to make it stay. It's not perfect and I'm not sure that's where I'll keep it (can't close the flap and that bugs me haha).  Nothing of the car was cut out damaged though, so I can go back to original pretty easy 

Still loving my new-to-me Spec B, but I couldn't stand not being able to mod anything with the audio.  The factory head unit wasn't terrible, but it significantly limited any aftermarket changes.

So, I sprung for the AVO-JDM Double Din kit with an Android Auto head unit.

Snuck the USB port into the cig lighter hole.  Wired everything I could while it was on the bench.  Plugged everything in and everything worked first try.  Perfect starting point for better speakers, a sub, and whatever else.