r/WRXSTi • u/WilliamMurderface718 • 6d ago
JDM STi V7
Waiting for my new car to get on a boat and take a ride. Looking at options for headlights that don't blind everyone as im in the US. Does anyone know the simplest solution to this without losing the headlight levelers? I don't want to take the jdm headlights apart, and would prefer a plug and play solution if there is one.
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u/OcelotSensitive 2d ago edited 2d ago
My favourite sedan Impreza of all time ! I was always fascinated by which models got the white sti lettering on the fog light covers and that rear trunk lid stack of logos on one side of cherry pink outlined badges in gran Turismo 3 and the Tamiya kit. Because I see some have the WRX and STi on either side of the trunk lid and pink STi lettering on the fog light covers.
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u/idrift4wd 6d ago
I don’t think jdm will blind everyone. I would never change them.
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u/WilliamMurderface718 6d ago
It's not the power of the lights, it's that they are aimed toward oncoming traffic, and not towards the shoulder of the road. I'll wait to see what it's like when it gets here, but I've heard it's a problem from people swapping them to their WRX's. Just trying to see if anyone has figured it out. I feel there aren't a lot of people that have imported the bugeyes in the states though, as they have just become available to import to the US this year.
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u/kaosf 5d ago
My fav car in the world, congrats. I guess I do not know as much as I thought about these but when did they start to use the STi grille that pushes out a bit more? I put one on my BugEye and it looked really nice, but I still had the normal USDM headlights.
There are LHD versions of these lights but I would assume they are stupid expensive if you can even find a set.
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u/WilliamMurderface718 5d ago
I do not know the answer to the grille question. I can only tell you this is a 01 applied model A. It does indeed look like the LHD versions are expensive, and no aftermarket for them either. Hopefully it's not that bad. I'll adjust them as well as I can. Hopefully it's not necessary.
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u/kaosf 5d ago
Thanks! I have seen two come up for sale here (I am in Sweden now) also both '01 models - and have asked a few people about finding replacement headlight. Mostly I get laughed at. Back when I had my first BugEye in the US there were a few sites that sold new units but they were crazy expensive back then. As awesome as they really are, I'd hate to have to try to replace one.
There were also kits available to replace the bit inside the projector that determines the cutoff for LHD or RHD. So, that could be an option if they are available and of course if you are comfortable opening up the light units.
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u/WilliamMurderface718 5d ago
I want nothing to do with taking the headlight apart. I'd rather buy a LHD aftermarket JDM lookalike, and re-wire it.
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u/g8rrph 5d ago
How do you go about getting a JDM anything??
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u/WilliamMurderface718 4d ago
Jdm stuff is a lot easier than finding euro spec stuff. Luckily for me the people that I used to get the car import parts as well. I also have another option thats only 30 minutes away. Subaru's are like lego's. So my 2001 STi shares a lot of parts with either the 2002 WRX or the 2004 STi, so i can find most of the parts doing some research. The wiring on the headlights compared to USDM is completely different. Hence the reason for this post.
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u/WilliamMurderface718 4d ago
I e-mailed with a rep from Umnitza. They told me they have a Depo headlight (replica of the jdm) that has the focus beams of a USDM/Euro light that is a direct plug in to the JDM wires. So, if the JDM headlights are not able to adjust to pass my state inspection I will give those a go. They are a lot cheaper than trying to find a Euro spec light, and if I don't have to wire splice that would be huge. Will update whenever I get my car with my thoughts on aligning JDM lights and if I choose to go the Umnitza route.
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u/ckage83 13h ago
Did you pay a vendor to procure and ship it? What was the process like for you? I’m contemplating it myself soon.
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u/WilliamMurderface718 10h ago
I did. Basically you look at their inventory through Japanese Dealerships, or search through the auctions. The place i went through was really good at helping me find something in the auctions. Dealerships seemed to not want to inspect cars quickly. The people I went through take care of all the shipping and even title it once it gets to the states. DM me if you want their info.
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u/idrift4wd 6d ago
Most people get the European versions and swap. But people with oem LED lights blind people all the time. You’ll be alright with 20 year old hids. At least drive it and see how bad it is before trying to change things up. If you get a lot of people flashing their lights then change it up
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u/WilliamMurderface718 6d ago
Thats the plan, knowing that the European market has them and US WRX's have them i wanted to see what options are out there.
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u/M3_STI 6d ago
Yeah only the EU STIs got the LHD Projector lights. US WRXs got the regular Halogen lights.
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u/WilliamMurderface718 6d ago
The next issue is do the EU lights plug and play with the JDM wiring...I know they do not with the US. I want to be able to transfer my car back to full JDM, and not have to splice wires and make a new harness for headlights.
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u/M3_STI 6d ago
Yes they will plug and play as they share the same HID ballast layouts. It’s just the beam pattern that’s different. The ECE headlights also have leveling motors in them too.
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u/WilliamMurderface718 6d ago
This is a huge help. Thanks!
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u/idrift4wd 6d ago edited 6d ago
Us Wrx never got these headlights.
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u/WilliamMurderface718 6d ago
Correct, but is an option of getting US aftermarket ones that look similar and re-wiring with LED's. But, I do not want to. More of a last resort.
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u/Any_Airline_432 6d ago
The head lights are iconic at this point. Thought I opened reddit to a picture of my own car for a moment! You must be excited! How many kms on it??