2010 Legacy 2.5 Premium - cosmetic updates questions

[cerrone]

Hello guys.

I became part of the Subaru family since yesterday - I bought a 2010 Legacy Premium, sky blue in color with few extras in addition as a sunroof, tinted windows and a rear spoiler. It has also installed windows deflectors and sunroof wind deflector. The rest is pretty much the stock.

 

What I want to do now is to try to refresh the look of the car a little bit. I want to replace the headlights since they have faded yellowish look, buy a nice set of 17" rims, install fog lights and a hood deflector and probably to buy a roof rack, since the trunk space is limited.

I kinda like the idea to have some black elements on the sky blue exterior and I'm considering to plasti-dip the front grill.

 

I searched the forum and online, but I couldn't find definitive answers on some of my questions, therefore I kindly ask you for some support.

 

My questions are:

 

1. Headlight replacement - are 2013-2014 Legacy/Outback ones are fully compatible with 2010-2012?

I like the black bezel model http://www.ebay.com/itm/262186149784?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

My next option is to go with the complete black Spyder model:

http://www.protuninglab.com/hd-jh-sleg10-am-bk.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=140847986218

 

2. Fog lights - same question here - are 2013-2014 Legacy/Outback ones are fully compatible with 2010-2012? Maybe not, due to the diferent bumper shape?

 

I found a kit with a good price - http://www.carparts.com/details/StyleLine/Fog_Light/STYSU1012FL1.html

 

3. 17 rims - I do like the 18 and 19, but I will go for 17, just because I don't want to spend much right now. I liked several Drag and Konig models from discounttiredirect.com for around 100-120$/rim:

-Konig Lightning

-Drag DR-19 - gold model will go well with the color of the car.

-Konig Lace

 

All 3 models offer some offset, which I like most. Any other suggestions will be highly welcomed.

 

What specs should I look for when buying rims? 17"x7, 5x100 - is this the correct fit for this model?

 

4. Roof spoiler - I found several on ebay. They offer to paint them if you provide the vehicle color, but in the description there is no Sky Blue as a color option at all. Is anyone aware where I shall look for the painted in sky blue roof spoiler?

 

Thank you in advance.

[Humble Rumble]

Welcome, and congrats on your purchase! The Sky Blue is one of my all time favorite colors available for our cars. Real quick, I'm going to request the first passing by mod to move this to the Fifth Gen discussion section rather than the Photo section. Fifth Gen Discussion-> http://legacygt.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/fifth-generation-legacy-2010-2014-92.html

 

I will do my best to answer your questions.

 

1. 13-14 headlights into a 10-12 Legacy. Yes, they do fit exactly the same, wiring is identical, and it's a relatively easy process to swap them. The other black housings you linked are the same story, and should have no issues fitting whatsoever, you just need to decide which style you prefer. In fact, all 10-14 Legacy and Ooutback headlights are completely compatible and identical in shape, so these aren't the only ones that you have to choose from.

 

I have the 13-14 lights on my own car.

 

http://i.imgur.com/WM7HYHD.jpg

 

To swap the headlights, you will need to first remove the bumper. Forum user JLGT made two fantastic guides: one for removing the bumper and one for removing the headlights. I followed these guides and the whole process took me roughly 2 hours to complete. It was very straight forward and even fun to do. Here are both guides:

 

Bumper Removal: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206177

 

Headlight Swap: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206441

 

2. Foglights. Conversely to the headlights, the foglights are NOT compatible between 10-12 and 13-14. You will need to find a kit specifically for 10-12. Fortunately, the kit you linked does seem to be for the correct model years. I can't comment on the fitment or quality of that exact kit, but I can promise 13-14 kits will not fit.

 

3. Rims. The wheels I'm wearing in the picture I posted above are the stock 10-spoke 17" rims. The size of this setup is 17x7.5 +48 offset on 225/50/17 tires, just so you can estimate the size/look/fit. If you do feel like going up to 18's, keep in mind that the GT's came with 18's wheels (18x7.5 +55 specifically), so there's a lot that will fit and some that are pretty reasonably priced. Up to you.

 

4. Painted roof spoiler. A lot of the available roof spoiler sellers I've seen offer to paint the spoiler any specific color if you have the paint code. The Sky Blue was not a very common color, but your color code is E7F if you feel like trying that out.

 

Alternatively, you can try painting it yourself or having a shop paint it. You can find very accurately matched paint at AutomotiveTouchup.com. Here is a link to your year's available colors, where you can select yours and go from there if you want: http://www.automotivetouchup.com/touch-up-paint/subaru/2010/legacy/

 

Hope this helps, and welcome!

[cerrone]

Humble Rumble

Thank you very much for the reply.

 

Thanks to it I already purchased the fog light kit from carparts.com.

 

Also today, I tried to clean the stock headlights with the RainX headlight restoration kit and the result is quite satisfying for now (It was even more effective on the headlights on my other car – Hyundai Azera). The process is quite straight forward as it is described on the box.

 

I do like the picture of your Subi with the black bezelled headlights. Probably I will go with the same option a little bit later in time.

 

And your 17” wheels look exactly how I want size wise. The only thing I do like is to have mine with a smaller that 48 “+ offset”. Something more like the Subi of ihazapear from the link http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160617/061c9e5ae34648c938d75bc4a9a3fca5.jpg

 

I got an answer from the ebay sellers of the rear roof spoiler that they don’t offer sky blue colour as an option, but advised me to choose the glossy black one. Probably a good idea.

 

Another thing I tried to find is whether there is an option to install side mirrors with blinkers. I found some online but they are for the Outback model only. Does anyone tried to DYI it?

[Sarang]

OEM GT 18" wheels seem to go for cheap sometimes, so you could look at that. I find that 18 or 19" wheels look much better on our cars... not that I have the moolah to upgrade mine right now.

[cerrone]

I agree with you Sarang - 18 sit better.

***

I just found these mirrors, but I have no clue whether they will fit.

What do you think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191832585226?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

and these ones - SOA635086, which are for the 2011 -2012 models but probably will fit according to the website. http://subaruonlineparts.com/subaru-legacy-folding-mirror-p-1836.html

 

Both are folding models, but the first offer blinkers installed as well.

[DrD123]

The ones on ebay look to be power folding (push a button and they fold down) - if they are for an RHD car, they won't be angled properly and might be difficult to work with.

 

the second ones fit just fine, and are the normal manually folding mirrors you find on most cars (but were omitted on the 10 Legacy for some reason)

[SubOperator]

I agree with you Sarang - 18 sit better.

***

I just found these mirrors, but I have no clue whether they will fit.

What do you think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191832585226?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

and these ones - SOA635086, which are for the 2011 -2012 models but probably will fit according to the website. http://subaruonlineparts.com/subaru-legacy-folding-mirror-p-1836.html

 

Both are folding models, but the first offer blinkers installed as well.

 

The ebay JDM mirrors you found are for 05-09 Legacy/Outback. I am not sure if they will fit 2010-2014 models, but even if they do the angle and size are different enough.

 

I put JDM folding mirrors on 05 OB, they work great.

[cerrone]

Yeah, I noticed a little bit late that the first link is for the old Legacy model.

Probably I would go for the folding only option and will leave the idea to have blinkers installed.

 

Going back to the wheels topic - what do you think about the combination between the sky blue vehicle and the gold wheels?

My favourite model so far is the Drag DR-19 in gold. http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/wheels/t_20140913.drad19.gdglpl.xl.jpg

Just a random car with them http://i47.tinypic.com/15x1nhg.jpg

Actually, if you google them they look quite good in any other color as well.

[cerrone]

I tried to install the fog lights kithttp://www.carparts.com/details/StyleLine/Fog_Light/STYSU1012FL1.html, but unfortunately, since it is not the stock one, it has switch which cannot fit in its original place. It was my mistake - I should have look closely on the picture provided.

 

I removed the front bumper today because the previous owner had installed HID xenon blue-ish bulbs and I couldn't pass the state inspection with them. Meanwhile, I tried to install the fog lights bezels, but unluckily the locking teeth cannot fit entirely and there is too much material pressure which might lead to a possible disassembly in future.

 

As a result - I decided to return the kit and look for an OEM one.

[cerrone]

Hello guys.

It's been a while since my last post.

Since then, I managed to replace completely the audio system and install new player, speakers, amps and sub.

Now It's time to concentrate on the fog lights install for which I purchased some parts online already. Before I spend some quality time pulling out the old mirror switch and replacing it with the new one I faced a lot of resistance with the dash panel which sits under the steering column.

I don't know what is holding it so firmly to the central console piece.

Any suggestions on how to separate both plastic parts?

 

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f327/nlheikki/Fog%20Lights/2012-06-17_15-23-39_144.jpg

[cerrone]

Hello guys.

There few things I did since my last post here:

 

• The complete audio system replacement with Pioneer DEH 80PRS player, JBL MS-A1004 + MS-A5001 amps, Hertz speakers + sub, Stinger RCA cables, Knu speaker cables, Axxess ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Adapter, etc.

• Front doors sound deadening with Noico products

• Fog lights install – purchased parts independently, not as a kit

• Front hood deflector – Subaru OEM part

• Polishing the headlights – not satisfactory enough – will replace them with the 2013 model ones.

• Plastidipping the front grille

 

The things still in my short term list are:

 

• Installing blinkers/marker lights on the side mirrors –a cheap self-adhesive LED flexible set from eBay arrived already;

• Replacing the non-folding side mirrors with folding ones – I purchased a set already. They came with two black decorative covers each – plenty of room to experiment with the blinkers installation

• Installing a rear fog light – I ordered a F1 style rear fog light from eBay. It is quite easy to install under the rear bumper without major modification.

• Installing a rear view camera+display – I’m still considering which option to go.

• Sound deadening the trunk and the rear shelf – I will use Noico products again.

 

The things in my wish list are:

• Upgrading the wheels to 17 or 18” – looking for some offers

• Installing a 20mm rear swaybar as almost everyone did here in the forum

• Replacing the complete set of struts/springs with the one in 2013 model or some aftermarket brand – need to read more for that.

 

The question I have is related to the rear fog light installation –

Where I should run the cable from the inside through the bottom of the trunk in order to reach the rear bumper? Is there any rubber grommet which I can use? I presume that the same question is facing everyone who is installing a tow bar with a wiring as well.

[cerrone]

Hello guys.

I'm about to install a new set of winter tires on the stock 16'' wheels, but I have question in regard with the tire size. The stock tires are 205/60/16, but the car stays a bit too low on the ground. As for the winter I want to have enough ground clearance, therefore I'm looking to change the tires and I want to keep the 16" size wheels? Will 215/65/16 fit or I shall look for any other size? Any practical advice which will help me decide? Now, I have 18" wheels installed, but I want to keep them dry and salt free for the summer.

[cww516]

215/65R16 should fit just fine, and I believe it's a common-enough size as well. You may have to play with the numbers to get your wheel width and offset correct, but the link below compares that to a 225/50R18, which is a fairly common choice among folks with 18" stock wheels. Short version is that the 215/65R16 sits about 2mm taller.

 

http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=215&aspect=65&diameter=16&wheelwidth=6.5&offset=48&width2=225&aspect2=50&wheel_size=18&wheel_width=7-5&offset2=55

 

 

Also, mind if I move this thread over into the 5th-gen forum rather than the photos forum? You'll get a little more traffic, and a lot more technical advice. Also, I haven't really done anything useful with my mod powers yet...

[testa422]

I made my own rear fog light using the drivers side reverse bulb housing. Looks cleaner that way since it’s integeayed into the tail lense

[hichamaziz]

Thank you very much for the reply.