thatericguy Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 so as some of you may already know, my long awaited used JDM spec B front and rear bumpers arrived recently for my GT Wagon. i spent the day figuring it all out and i think this will help answer all the questions we've all had on how it would work out. so here is my walkthrough. (See pictures in rar file for more detail) 1. remove the bumpers...(i will not go through this since it is explained on the subaru manual), one bit of advice though, the push clips can be PIA, so keep some WD40 around to help ease them out. 2. with the bumper off, i first tried to put the spec b bumper with the foam insert on, but as you all guessed, it did not fit. so i tried it without the foam, and that also DID NOT work. what i discovered was that the USDM bumper beam is 4" too long on each side for the JDM bumper. apparently, the JDM bumper curves earlier due to its reduced width, and so hits the bumper beam earlier than the USDM bumper. 3. so unfortunately, it looks like you can only either buy the JDM bumper beam to get it to work, or you could modify it to make it fit. I chose the latter. 4. I measured the front of the bumper beam around 4" and then cut diagonally (with hacksaw, 18T blade) to the back corner of the bumper beam. This is a timely process, and goes by MUCH faster with at least one other pair of hands. It took roughly 20 minutes each side, with rest. So basically the beam becomes a trapezoid shape rather than rectangle. After doing this, the JDM bumper DOES fit. 5. However, this is not without outstanding issues that I will need to figure out. a) The bottom of the bumper usually attaches to the plastic underbody protection, but the spec B bumper does not fit the USDM underbody, and so again, you need to source the spec B underbody it to properly fit. Otherwise there will be gaps and the push clips will not all be properly bound. I will probably custom add additional brackets in order to try and get as secure fit. b) The other concern is the fog lamp assemblies, I did not have enough time to figure out how to get those in place, and had to get the USDM bumper back on. I noticed on this thread that the JDM A needed a spec B fog light assembly, but If possible I will try and retrofit it. c) The USDM grille does not fit properly with the JDM bumper, it appears that the JDM grille is a bit longer (up/down wise), and leaves a gap on the JDM bumper. So I will need to get one of those before continuing. So, in the end I discovered a few new things, it will be a little more effort than I had thought it would be, but I will finally get the look I've always wanted for this wagon. So with that said, I understand it may be in poor form to ask of this (but I had a few people pm me about it and it got me thinking), and I apologize upfront if you take offense...but being the guinea pig here (again my choice entirely), but I'd really appreciate any help you guys could give me with this project. Once I figure more of it out, I will post updates, and explain to you all the cheapest, yet secure way to achieve this modification. Anyhow, I guess just pm me if you think you could help out.. Cliff Notes: JDM bumper does not fit on USDM bumper beam even without foam. Modification of USDM beam or JDM beam is REQUIRED. Other issues are USDM grille does not fit, fog lights possibly not fitting properly and underbody plastic difference. Here is the link for the rar file of pictures (similar to zip). http://www.erion.net/eric/specbon.jpg http://www.erion.net/eric/front_orig.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC GT Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 Dude, that looks sweet! You've got big balls. The Spec B grill is definitely different, a bit larger. The fogs are also different. I've attached pics. You can get both the stock grill and the fog lights on Yahoo Auctions Japan. Instead of the stock grill you can get the STi grill through Paul or anyone else that can order JDM STi parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt_ltd Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 http://www.illfindsomethingtoputhere.com/funforum/images/smilies/bowdown.gif This Space For Rent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iuksob03 Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 wow, that looks a lot better than i thought it would Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Bradtmueller Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 The JDM bumper looks sweet. Looks like your in for a big project. Keep us posted on the progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opie Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 Dude, that looks sweet! You've got big balls. The Spec B grill is definitely different, a bit larger. The fogs are also different. I've attached pics. You can get both the stock grill and the fog lights on Yahoo Auctions Japan. Instead of the stock grill you can get the STi grill through Paul or anyone else that can order JDM STi parts. So what is different about the fog lights? The ones in your pics look exactly like the ones on both my '05 Legacy's...once you pull the trim cover off. thatericguy - Since that Spec B bumper doesn't match your car (paint) you can send it to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatericguy Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 yeah i'd like to know what the actual differences are in the fogs as well...i imagine the housing to be different..i went searching on yahoo japan, but couldnt find any examples. got specific details or links? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firedawgs Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 That bumper is sweet. I am in the market for a bumper since mine is wrecked. But I don't see all that modification and extra price worth it. I wish there was a aftermarket bumper that would fit on our USDM bumper beam. But, two thumbs up to you for the reveiw and write up. You should write a reveiw up in the reveiw section too. Updated my vBGarage: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iuksob03 Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 Whats the reason for the different sized JDM beam? Is there a safety issue that prevented it from making it over here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatericguy Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 rumor is that its for insurance reasons. bumper beams do relatively nothing for safety of the occupants within the car. it is more about ratings and damage that is done during low mph tests that the insurance industry does. if you take a look at audis, acuras and vehicles with flatter front ends, they tend to have higher repair rates for low speed impacts.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC GT Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 My bad on the fog lights. I kept seeing auctions for Spec B fogs so I thought they were different than the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTpower Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 Dude, I support you 120%!!! keep updating with us~! Can you put the bumper on without the beam by any chance?? You are my hero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatericguy Posted April 4, 2005 Author Share Posted April 4, 2005 thatericguy - Since that Spec B bumper doesn't match your car (paint) you can send it to me! sorry to disappoint, but it won't be ABP too much longer... and yes, without the beam, it will definitely fit. it would probably fit even better since when i put it on, i noticed i had to pull the bumper a bit on each side to get it taught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awd-turismo Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 Thanks for jumping in with both feet on this. I wasn't quite ready to take the plunge, myself. I'm drowning in other projects right, now. (All right, I can't think of any more watery anecdotes.) It's nice to see that we can save a couple hundred dollars by not buying the bumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mach_six Posted April 5, 2005 Share Posted April 5, 2005 The grille on the Blitzen looks like it would fit that bigger grille opening you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatericguy Posted April 8, 2005 Author Share Posted April 8, 2005 Does anyone know if the spec B grille is larger than the JDM 'A' GT version? I can't find a picture difference? anyone know what this grille is? and if possible a part number? http://img47.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/4/5/2/9/yochidori-img600x450-1079276870bp5fb.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne53 Posted April 11, 2005 Share Posted April 11, 2005 Found the underbody piece...not sure where you buy it though http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~tn-guts/img266.jpg http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~tn-guts/page037.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatericguy Posted April 12, 2005 Author Share Posted April 12, 2005 actually that skidplate piece appears to fit on top of the piece i mention. the reason why i say this is because if you take a look at the bumper, you will see the small plastic pieces of it that jut toward the engine which are used to bolt down the bottom of the bumper. On our USDM models, these plastic pieces jut out and are clipped into that front plastic underbody i was mentioning. if only they removed that skidplate, then i am sure thats the piece we'd need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLTek Posted April 15, 2005 Share Posted April 15, 2005 how is the fitment of the bumpers going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatericguy Posted April 18, 2005 Author Share Posted April 18, 2005 im currently out of town so i cant continue...but im waiting on some additional parts i need anyhow. i dont think rear bumper will be too different tho...at worst..the beam mod again. i'll let you guys know when i can get more time to work on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest *Jedimaster* Posted April 18, 2005 Share Posted April 18, 2005 Found the underbody piece...not sure where you buy it though http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~tn-guts/img266.jpg http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~tn-guts/page037.html I believ ethat's through Primitive Racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwaydrifter Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 nice avatar... samba open2trans sploit? 2.2.8? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi Pimp Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Wow what a huge friggin difference! It really is what the Legacy GT front end should have always been. Sho Fizzle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mines Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 the underbody thing is from PROVA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLTek Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 thank you Peter Sz PLTek,llc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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