2004 Forester STi headlight upgrade

[BreakingBad]

Short days and bad weather have conspired to demonstrate that the standard headlights - both dipped and main beam - could stand some improvement.

Internet search is not helpful for SG9 STIs in the UK. Can anyone suggest a suitable upgrade? I would prefer a bulb or possibly headlamp unit replacement that does not entail changes to the wiring harness, if that is doable.

Thanks in advance.

[MDMA .]

PIAA do a good set of bulbs ( with matching side lights ).

[vxr2010]

have you tried adjusting your headlights using a wall as a guide re height ? when i got my second one the lights were poorly set up and are much better now , they were set very low on heighest toggle setting , plus i’m sure if you need it more powerful bulbs that are a direct replacement can be found

[adamfraser]

HID or non HID being an import?

Both mine are HID equipped - plenty of options for upgrading.

[vxr2010]

fsti is hid , weird photo up top a fsti with fog lights ? as above adjust first then see how you go as last time i looked bulbs were not that cheap , the good side is bulbs seem to last a long time

[MDMA .]

vxr2010 said:

fsti is hid , weird photo up top a fsti with fog lights ? as above adjust first then see how you go as last time i looked bulbs were not that cheap , the good side is bulbs seem to last a long time

Very rare and expensive option. Last time i looked, surrounds were about £240 each, not including the lamps.

[BreakingBad]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Will have a look at PIAA and double check the adjustment as well.

Existing headlights as above (the pic is my car) I’ll have a closer look at the weekend and try to ID the existing bulbs.

[vxr2010]

I think the bulb type maybe written on the top of the headlights ? , from subaru i think bulbs were around 70£ each , they do obviously last well , ebay were doing some but i only looked at replacements , i bought a spare set ages ago and have not needed them , i’m surprised you are getting light issues mine have been very good , you could upgrade the fog lights relay them to come on with the main beams , the fog lights you have are not standard

[vxr2010]

or change fog lights to driving lights if they are not driving lights already and wire them to come on with the head lights dipped beam or have a seperate switch so you put them on when you want

[BreakingBad]

Thanks vxr but on the local lanes, I sometimes put the front “fogs” on and it helps a bit with close proximity but what’s really lacking is some longer distance illumination. On the Audi, full beam turns night into day. On the Subaru, meh!

Been busy today but hope to get outside tomorrow and investigate why and how to improve things...

Edited by BreakingBad on Saturday 18th November 19:39

[vxr2010]

could give your lenses a polish if they have clouded over time mine were bad on my jdm wagon a slight sand back and polish helped

[BreakingBad]

Have had a chance to look a bit better but not much the wiser: Without taking a bit of time to remove the battery and / or a couple of ancillaries, it’s not sprays to see the bulbs as they’re tucked behind an array of reflectors in the headlight unit. Pic below.



As you can see, the lenses are pretty clean and clear and looking on Google images, there seem to be plenty of different types of headlight units inc. doubles, Projectors etc but can’t see others like mine for more info. The design of mine doesn’t seem (to my layman’s eyes) likely to produce a decent light output.

When I have the time, I think I will remove the battery etc and try to get a bulb out to see if a simple upgrade is possible, unless anyone has anything else to add...?

[vxr2010]

you may not like this , it’s easier removing the grill and the two bits of trim on either side of the grill to get the lights out , the grill has pop fittings that a screwdriver can be used on 4 in total , the side panels pull the poppers out and the bits that wrap around slide outwards away from the cat , the side panels are normal poppers , the headlights have three 10 mm bolts , your lenses look ok , sorry to repeat try adjusting first , i read up that was how to get access to the bulbs but maybe i’m wrong ?

[yellowstreak]

vxr2010 said:

or change fog lights to driving lights if they are not driving lights already and wire them to come on with the head lights dipped beam or have a seperate switch so you put them on when you want

Hi,
Given that you already have the headlight bezles I think this is the answer. I fitted Hella Prodrive driving lights in place of the side lights on my Forester XT. They only come on with full beams, but they are mega!

I've been looking everywhere for the bezzles you have for my FSTI so that I could do the same thing, but sadly they are no longer available anywhere.

[vxr2010]

whilst you do it , it’s well worth changing the 501 side light bulbs to a set of led ones , they look a lot brighter and cleaner

[vxr2010]

Breaking bad , what sort of area are you in it shows south east , i don’t suppose you are any where near m1 junction 9

[DaveCWK]

I thought the Forester STi (pre-facelift anyway) were all bi-xenon?

[BreakingBad]

Thanks for the comments and tips and about how to remove the units.

As I said, it seems like there have been several different types of headlights and I’m still unsure of how best to proceed. I’ve been emailing Neil at Slowboy about a couple of other upgrades and will ask his opinion on the lights when I see him.

Vxr, I’m “proper” South East: Kent / Sarf of the river What did you have in mind? PM me if you’d rather?

[vxr2010]

Hi breaking bad i was hoping you maybe nearer as all it said was south east , The fsti appears to be hids on older and newer models , as mine appear to look the same

[TEKNOPUG]

The issue you may have is that they have HID bulbs/ballasts but use traditional reflectors, rather than more modern projectors.

What's odd though is that my '02 Impreza has JDM HIDs with projector lens. From 03' onwards, they moved to reflector lens (and it would appear the same for Foresters). Then Subaru went back to projector lens in 2007. Don't understand why this would be - projectors are much better. Maybe cost cutting or change in suppliers?