JDM versus USDM tail lights

I didn't find a ton of information when I was looking, so I thought I'd post some pics of the differences between the two. Ignore the dirty car and somewhat crappy pics. There are also two chips out of the corner of both. They came damaged during shipping. I just installed them today, and need to glue the corners on.

The JDM tails are mucher cleaner looking, and the amber is significantly darker. You'll notice that the USDMs have one extra bulb on the side. Quite honestly the pictures don't do it justice, and I'm really happy with how much better the new tail lights look.

http://i.imgur.com/djC1ZEi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Lb3b4Ns.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/oDIsf9t.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CPm6sWo.jpg

Now for some shots in the dark to compare them.

The extra bulb on the US lights - is it for some special reason?

Now for some shots in the dark to compare them.

 

The extra bulb on the US lights - is it for some special reason?

It's the rear side-marker for DOT compliance. They are a little more careless in Japan. No rear side-markers, Rogue Ninjas, Fukishima.

Here are some pictures that were taken from a real camera.

http://i.imgur.com/DniS7N8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jY7uHgB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/keTx5Gq.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/WELp5OM.jpg

It's the rear side-marker for DOT compliance. They are a little more careless in Japan. No rear side-markers, Rogue Ninjas, Fukishima.

Same as here - no legal requirement for side markers on passenger cars. You may have side markers but they must be amber both front and rear.

On the other hand - larger vehicles needs to be lit up like a Christmas tree...

Until the latter set of photos, I didn't see much difference. But yes, a definite improvement. I looked for a set this past spring when I was doing a slew of upgrades on the XT, but couldn't find any in good condition/good price, so I went with the LED Valenti lights.

Milwaukee! (I'm in Muskego )

Nice! Technically, I'm in Brookfield, but I figured that nobody would know where that is

Until the latter set of photos, I didn't see much difference. But yes, a definite improvement. I looked for a set this past spring when I was doing a slew of upgrades on the XT, but couldn't find any in good condition/good price, so I went with the LED Valenti lights.

 

Milwaukee! (I'm in Muskego )

Probably. When I say "Muskego", people often ask "You mean 'Muskegon?"

I grew up in New Berlin, too...right between the two.

We recently moved to the area. I'm currently working in New Berlin.

Probably. When I say "Muskego", people often ask "You mean 'Muskegon?"

 

I grew up in New Berlin, too...right between the two.

Well welcome to the area.

I'm one of two lowered Outbacks in Muskego, so keep an eye out when driving about.

Well welcome to the area.

 

I'm one of two lowered Outbacks in Muskego, so keep an eye out when driving about.

Thanks! I'll definitely keep an eye out for it. Unfortunately, the Legacy is my wife's car. If it were mine, it would be a GT. I get to drive around a beater '99 protege ES.

Sorry to bump an old thread but the JDM ones are nicer haha.

I may purchase a set. Is it direct plug n play? Also what is the Kouki style?

Does anyone have a pic of the SEDAN version of JDM tails? Though I bought my car new, I've never cared much for the USDM tails, nor have I done anything about it.

H2OSB

Does anyone have a pic of the SEDAN version of JDM tails? Though I bought my car new, I've never cared much for the USDM tails, nor have I done anything about it.

 

 

H2OSB

Are you looking for installed pics? If not, here's a link (Canadian) with more pics of it not installed.

https://globaljdmautoparts.com/collections/tail-lights/products/jdm-subaru-legacy-oem-left-right-tail-lights-lamps-sedan-lh-rh-2005-2007

Is it direct plug n play? Also what is the Kouki style?

They are virtually plug and play. The USDM side marker needs bulb removed and the open socket to be taped off or insulated in some fashion. As for the “Kouki” they are one of the different versions of JDM tails available. I believe they are these (correct me if I’m wrong). Some have LEDs for the brake/running lights and a halogen blinker some have both halogen

There is also the “Hanabi” taillights which I have that are similar to the Kouki but are all white up top instead of the slashes of white and same red in the bottom. Mine (last pic) are a smoked version of the Hanabi

They are virtually plug and play. The USDM side marker needs bulb removed and the open socket to be taped off or insulated in some fashion. As for the “Kouki” they are one of the different versions of JDM tails available. I believe they are these (correct me if I’m wrong). Some have LEDs for the brake/running lights and a halogen blinker some have both halogen

 

 

There is also the “Hanabi” taillights which I have that are similar to the Kouki but are all white up top instead of the slashes of white and same red in the bottom. Mine (last pic) are a smoked version of the Hanabi

 

 

Thanks for clarifying and showing me the different versions. Yes the first pic you showed is the Kouki version, as it is different from the one that was posted in the original post.

The Hanabi versions do look nice haha. Coming to the EDM tail lights with the rear fog light, where can one get them? I know in order to get the rear fog light to work, some wiring work has to be done.

Note: some of them are obviously aftermarket versions and others genuine Subaru of which I am not 100% sure on which are and aren’t aside from the obvious versions so maybe someone else can chime in on that

Noted. Thanks again.

Kouki just means new/after in Japanese, which usually signifies facelift. Zenki is old/before/pre-facelift, thus why you'll see headlights and tail lights listed as zenki or kouki on Japanese sites.

The original post shows USDM zenki and JDM zenki lights. The comment above me shows JDM kouki, followed by two versions of the Hanabi tails.

In America, you used to typically only see 240SX kids calling their stuff zenki/kouki, but it's been spreading to other Japanese cars, too. It's a little bit too weaboo-y for me, so I stick to pre-facelift/facelift.

Kouki just means new/after in Japanese, which usually signifies facelift. Zenki is old/before/pre-facelift, thus why you'll see headlights and tail lights listed as zenki or kouki on Japanese sites.

 

The original post shows USDM zenki and JDM zenki lights. The comment above me shows JDM kouki, followed by two versions of the Hanabi tails.

 

In America, you used to typically only see 240SX kids calling their stuff zenki/kouki, but it's been spreading to other Japanese cars, too. It's a little bit too weaboo-y for me, so I stick to pre-facelift/facelift.

Thanks for confirming. Now that I am comparing the Zenki and Kouki, I prefer the Zenki more.

Are you looking for installed pics? If not, here's a link (Canadian) with more pics of it not installed.

 

https://globaljdmautoparts.com/collections/tail-lights/products/jdm-subaru-legacy-oem-left-right-tail-lights-lamps-sedan-lh-rh-2005-2007

Yes, I'm sorry, I meant installed pics. I've never really liked the look of the stock lights, but I don't find them so hideous I'd replace them with just anything. I would imagine the JDM version looks pretty good based upon the look of the wagon units. But...I want to see them first.

H2OSB