Somac

Well, it's been a while since I've been in this club. I had my '04 Outback that I put a JDM facelift GT-B front end on, then had my '05 Outback XT that I got a JDM Outback rear bumper, tail lights, headlights, and grille for. Now I have another '05 Outback XT that, for the first time, actually *needs* a front end swap. So I just bought a JDM Outback pre-facelift front end for it as well as another set of facelift tails. I kinda wish I bought a facelift front end instead but a black Outback front end hasn't popped up in a long time (or else my first '05 OBXT would have gotten it) so I just went with this. This car already has an EJ20X, so it's essentially going to have a full JDM half cut at this point.

 

I have the Dual HVAC JDM bezel ready to swap in... Can someone tell me if 7" displays have worked for them or does it have to be 6.95". Really needing some clarity on this before I buy a HU. Thank you!

 

If it's a Chinese head unit that's advertised as being true double DIN, it will not fit. The double DIN bezel on these cars is smaller than the official double DIN specs.

 

My Joying 7" double DIN head unit would not fit my bezel. It was too wide and too tall.

 

I hate to admit it, but I just use shitty StackOn cabinets. I'm absolutely certain I'm going to learn a hard lesson eventually, but it's just tough justifying the cost of a real safe, especially when moving around every year until I buy a house.

I honestly can't imagine living in California and liking guns. There is maybe one gun in my whole collection I'd be able to own in their current forms.

Now that there's nothing I *need* to do on the car, I'm starting to get into stuff I *want* to do.

 

Got a set of JDM pre-facelift headlights. Made adapter harnesses for them so they're plug and play without messing up the body-side wiring or the JDM headlight-side wiring. Got a spare set of LHD RX330 projectors as well as some Morimoto Black Series clear lenses for them. Some Osram CBBs should be a good fit! Just gotta get some new LEDs for the running lights and turn signals and I should be good to go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also picked up a Grimmspeed intake. Not a fan of the Cobb intake and I really like Grimmspeed as a company. Once I go flex fuel and get retuned, I'll throw it on at the same time.

 

 

Tried mounting up my Defi STI gauges, but unfortunately, the JDM bezel I have for it means that I'm going to have to cut up a stock cubby. The JDM cubby doesn't fit a USDM car. I picked up a couple extra cubbies so I won't feel bad about cutting them up. I love the look of them in there, but I miss the red matching rings and illumination effect that my Defi Advance CR gauges have.

You mean this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-SUBARU-OUTBACK-LEGACY-TAILGATE-BOOT-LID-TRIM-91711AG040-STEEL-GREY-C6Z/143283363841?epid=841750518&hash=item215c5aa001:g:nc4AAOSwS3xc-CCG

 

 

30 uk pound! If you can convince the seller to ship to you, you'll get this for fairly cheap.

 

I keep forgetting about UK eBay, thanks! Convincing sellers to ship to the US or even just respond in general is the hardest part. None of the breakers I messaged before ever responded.

Have any of you seen this two piece front lip for a JDM Outback front end before? Not sure if it's just some random aftermarket piece or an OEM option.

 

 

Keep wasting my money on dumb stuff.

 

Bought JDM pre-facelift headlights until I sack up and buy the JDM facelift Outback front end that's on eBay. Also finally bought JDM facelift tail lights.

 

 

 

Still deciding on the rear garnish and whether I want the plain facelift JDM rear garnish, with something like the G Square cover, or the OEM waist spoiler on it. I'm thinking I'm going to get the OEM spoiler. I wish people didn't want so much money ($300+) just for the rear garnish.

 

I was back and forth on the UBR for a while. I wanted the PRS gen 3, but constantly heard about how heavy it was and how they didn't really use the features of it, etc. etc. It feels good just dry firing with it, but we'll see once it comes time to actually using it.

It'd be kinda cool to put a switchback in that spot and use that as your turn signal and running light, to be honest.

Got my slide back from Primary Machine, machined for the Aimpoint ACRO P-1, nice clean job, very tight fit, no slip. Slide refinished in salt bath nitrocarburizibg. Co-witness height sights installed. Got it too lat for a range outing today, but look forward to it.

 

That came out awesome! Be sure to post how you like the optic when you take it out.

 

I run a Trijicon Accupower 1-8x28 on mine. It’s a tank of an optic, but perfect for an AR10.

 

 

Hey, looks pretty similar!

 

 

We've got the same bipod and stock at least.

I still have to decide on an optic for an AR 308. I've got 0 use for it and don't have any range that's longer than 200 yards around me, so I feel dumb for wanting a higher magnification scope. Probably going to end up with a Nikon FX1000 Black since Gucci optics are way out of my range.

The OEM mid-range tweeters are in the door just in front of the door handle. Had them installed before I picked my wagon up when I bought it late June 2004. I love the way they fill the car with sound.

 

I think he's talking about moving them to the Harmon Kardon position in the corners where the door mirror covers are.

I guess I should probably update this thread again.

 

The motor is in the car and it runs great! Very happy with how it turned out. Feels like it pulls just the same as it did before, which is all I was hoping for.

 

 

 

I bought a few sets of wheels for it so I have to decide what I want to run now. I have my carryover Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2s in 17x8, GR WRX wheels in 17x8, a couple sets of 15+ STI Enkeis in 18x8.5, and I'm planning on picking up some GR STI BBSs, too. None of them will get used until I either get Outback-sized tires, or I lower the car. They'd all look way too goofy as it sits.

 

 

I got some Tomei 3-bolt equal length headers so I can finally get rid of the rumble. EWG will be staying so I won't be using the up pipe from it.

 

 

And I finally got my JDM Outback rear bumper so I can get rid of these turn-downs. Grabbed some 2011 STI mufflers just to see what they look like in the cutout. I'll end up with some Xforce Varex mufflers but they'll need work on the tips to avoid burning the bumper.

 

 

That's all for now! I'm about to get a USDM STI Defi gauge pack to replace this JDM one so I'll have gauges facing the right direction. The mufflers are next on the list, then probably JDM Bilsteins for a comfortable lower ride and by then, hopefully I'll figure out what wheels I want to use.

All I've ever used out of my 5.56/.223 Wylde guns are the cheapest brass 55gr 5.56 I can get, which is virtually always American Eagle stuff. I'm trying to put myself on a schedule to order 1-2k rounds every month when I find good deals. The stuff does well enough for ~1.5MOA or less.

I'm gonna be picking up the sedan rear beam and brackets I need soon so I can finally mount my JDM rear bumper, then I gotta get new mufflers to replace the turndowns I have now.

 

I'm still so sketched out about cutting up my JDM double DIN kit to fit my radio. I know it's only a small trim, but I just don't want to ruin this faceplate. I'd feel better about it if I could still get the faceplate separately from PartSouq for like $40 like I used to see.

My dumb self keeps thinking about buying this one. I've dumped way too much money into this car lately though. Still have my whole pile of JDM stuff to throw on.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-03-04-05-06-07-08-09-Subaru-Legacy-Outback-Nose-Cut-Front-Pearl-white/323781276522?hash=item4b62de336a%3Ag%3AW7kAAOSwdGpct3wg&LH_ItemCondition=4

How do you like the general drivability with Legacy-sized tires with an Outback final drive? That's the only reason I've been hesitant to lower mine and swap to smaller tires. Highway revs are already bad as it is.

Impreza and Forester front ends still go for $1500+. It's wild. I guess Legacy stuff truly isn't desirable enough and the most I'd pay at this point for a front end is like ~$800 shipped. I think I paid $1200 for my 3rd gen JDM front end.

The washer headlights are going to be a necessity for me. It's just one of those smell extra flexes you'll have on top of the guys that do normal JDM conversions. Plus it seems like most Outbacks came with the washer headlights compared to Legacies.

 

I'm tired of waiting for OBP facelift parts to pop up and importers don't seem to be able to find any! I just wish these UK eBay people would get back to me. So far none have even responded.

Requires a full HVAC conversion, which isn't worth it when you could just buy a dual zone HVAC controller. At that point, the only value is to someone overseas or the faceplate to someone in the US, but the faceplate itself goes for ~$40 new from Partsouq.

 

A bit more on topic:

 

 

It finally showed up! My JDM Outback rear bumper in OBP. Now I can get rid of these turndowns and run the mufflers I want. The collection of JDM parts waiting to be installed is growing faster than the parts currently on the car. It's going to be even worse when I finally order the JDM facelift Outback front end I'm telling myself I don't need.

 

Oh, and side note, I finally got my car running after 6? months of being down. Runs like a top. Still probably going to set money aside for an EJ20Y when this EJ255 blows again.

There's legitimately nothing wrong with PSA stuff, but unless you're on a strict budget or you're just trying to hoard as many guns as possible, it's IMO always worth it to just buy better stuff to begin with for a little bit more money.

Unfortunately it usually doesn't. The single zone isn't usable for anyone in the US so they tend to go dirt cheap since no one wants them. I'd honestly be surprised if you sold it to someone in the US.

I got a complete set of jdm bilstein shocks for the outback model from Croooober UPGARAGE koshigayaten. The transaction was painless, and website was in English too as I recall. Shipping was fast too.

 

How much was shipping for them? Last time I checked some out, they were around $200-300 just for shipping, and at that rate, I was just going to buy some off of eBay from an importer than already brought them in.

You could say the same thing about 600s or below, to be honest. Then again, most of us probably do stuff knowing we won't really be able to use the full potential of it.

 

I've never had a strong desire to get one and that's why I've stuck with 600s. I ride my brother's '07 R1 all the time and I'm just not pulled to it. Highway pulls are great. It's just not as fun for me. Maybe I'll feel differently on another CBR.