'96 legacy headlights

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Dec 24, 2003 | 09:05 AM

BenPratt

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'96 legacy headlights

The harness on one side is fried. Should I go stock, or upgrade to higher wattage. Where do I buy the parts? Is it expensive and time-consuming to install?
Anybody bought higher wattage bulbs from JC whitney? Are they OK?
-Ben

Dec 26, 2003 | 12:12 AM

sybir

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Posts: 13,799

From: Sacramento, CA

Car Info: 97 LOB, 05 FXT, 03 Tundra

Are you asing about upgrading bulbs, or upgrading the harness?
Subaru headlight harnesses are notorious for failign when you put in higher-wattage bulbs. Stay with 55/60 watt bulbs. I would stay away from anything sold in JC whitney, but that's just me.
If you totally rewire your headlights, with new relays, you could probably run higher-wattage bulbs, but you're limited by the light optics anyways. Why not just add a set of auxiliary lights?

Dec 26, 2003 | 09:17 AM

sybir

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From: Sacramento, CA

Car Info: 97 LOB, 05 FXT, 03 Tundra

As for where to buy harnesses, the OEM one would be the dealer or a junkyard but it's probably $$$$$$$.

You could fab your own, you'd need a couple of relays for low and high beams, and a bit of wiring and patience. Have you done anything electrical before?

Dec 27, 2003 | 01:42 PM

BenPratt

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I have to at least replace one harness, so I was wondering if I could get brighter lights while I was at it (for not too much more money).
Anyone used suvlights.com?
-Ben

Dec 27, 2003 | 02:31 PM

sybir

Warm Fuzzy Admin

iTrader: (45)

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 13,799

From: Sacramento, CA

Car Info: 97 LOB, 05 FXT, 03 Tundra

If you upgrade harnesses, you may be able to handle higher wattages, but you still need to be careful that you don't melt the housings.

Haven't used SUVlights, but that harness looks pretty clean.....