Converting '92 to '91 Front end...

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I'd like to replace my headlights, and grill with those of a '90-'91 Legacy.

Does anyone know if the fenders, hood, and all the lights will bolt into place? Or am I going to have to modify some things to make it all work?

I found a '91 Legacy Turbo that would be a perfect canidate, its even black so I dont need to paint the parts

Also, is there any chance of using the front bumper as well?

Thanks Guys
-Brian

[LaureltheQueen]

i know the pre-facelift was more attractive, but do you really want to lose lighting THAT much?

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Will I loose that much lighting? And if I do... i can always make up with it by using a pair of HELLA's

-Brian

[vrg3]

Your lighting will become much, much, much, much worse. And you can't really make up for bad low beams with aftermarket lights... you can help a little with a pair of the discontinued Hella 500XL auxiliary low beams, but those are very rare and even then it won't be as good as 92-94 low beams.

[Legacy777]

If you want to swap front ends.....you'll need a hood, fenders, bumper cover, headlights, grille probably bumper beam and associated crap.......that's the least you'll need.

IMO.....it's not worth changing....just for asthetics.

[evolutionmovement]

A soon as I get money I will be getting a pair of JY lights to convert to replacement headlight Hellas. I will post when (if) I get it to work so you may not lose lighting in the end if you carry out this conversion. You'll really confuse us geeks driving around with a later rear end, too.

Steve

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Both my fenders and my hood are trashed. My bumper is as well. Not destroyed like in an accident, but just faded and scratched. The bumper is missing chunks, and my hood is somehow flat black with a grey primered scoop.

If I have to replace them anyway, i see no reason not to try to convert as well.

-Brian

[vrg3]

Yeah, aftermarket headlights could give you good headlighting if you don't mind the front end looking non-stock, and it does look like Hella 90mm lights would fit in the 90-91 housings.

But, you still lose out on signal lighting. 90-91 front turn signals are much less visible than 92-94 ones; they're front-mounted and use amber lenses. 92-94s also have the sidemarkers behind the wheel wells, but those fit 90-91 front ends as well so you wouldn't have to lose them.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Yeah, i plan on retaining my side markers. Also, when i say hella's i mean a couple of 6" spotties. If I have to replace the entire bumper and beam then i will prefit some nice auxilary lights and make sure they fit right. Of course they wont help me much on the freeway, but i dont mind that, all my subarus have had lame headlights.

-Brian

[mTk]

I'd like to replace my headlights, and grill with those of a '90-'91 Legacy.

Horrible idea, /me shudders at the thought of more butterface legacies driving around

MK

MK

[Gus S]

i know the pre-facelift was more attractive, but do you really want to lose lighting THAT much?

oh my.. there are some who prefer the pre-facelift look?

Don't the post-facelift wagon in the top left corner of your screen look good to you?

[mTk]

oh my.. there are some who prefer the pre-facelift look

believe it or not, yes. They must have neglected their meds, or possibly tortured as a child.

MK

[IronMonkeyL255]

oh my.. there are some who prefer the pre-facelift look

believe it or not, yes. They must have neglected their meds, or possibly tortured as a child.

MK

I prefer the pre-facelift front end (except for the fact the headlights suck), but I LOVE the post-facelift rear end.

[LaureltheQueen]

i agree with ironmonkey. I like more square corners, but that's just me.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

If I wore pink shoes and carried a fanny pack, then yes... i'd probably like the '92+ look. But my car reminds me too much like a Cavalier. I love the Pre-Facelift... it actually looks like a car. The headlights actually look mean, not cute.

Anyhow, this isnt a debate on which looks better, just trying to learn what i'll need to cut to make what fit where.

-Brian

[LaureltheQueen]

yeah, car looks like it's smiling post-facelift. looks goofy.

[mTk]

If i wore brown paper bag over my head, had no legs and applied skin ointment on my entire body to prevent my scabies from returning i might like the < 92 look. Then people would notice the ugly car before the person driving, and there would be the possibility of a getaway.

MK

[georryan]

Well the argument is back it appears. We've had this argument before, and it is pretty apperent that a lot of people like and even <gasp> prefer the pre-facelift model. I do.

But for the sake of helping subarujunkie out, lets stick to his question, because I've seen his car, and truthfully, it doesn't matter what he puts on his car, it will make it look better on the front end.

The argument over which front end is better can be carried on in other posts that are geared for that.

My biggest hesitation or worry would be the parking lights on the 91 are up top, as are the 92's, but they don't blink on the 91. Somehow he'd have to be able to move his blinker/parking combo down, or up or somehow work the wires so that they do what he needs. That is the biggest unanswered issue that I can think of. Everything else should swap over right?

So did the owner of that black car say he'd let you have the front end Brian??

[THAWA]

i know the pre-facelift was more attractive, but do you really want to lose lighting THAT much?

oh my.. there are some who prefer the pre-facelift look?

Don't the post-facelift wagon in the top left corner of your screen look good to you?

wether you want to believe it or not the majority of us do. Just look at this poll: http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=16565

about the lighting. We can just take the part where it connects to the 92 light, snip that, then take the part that connects to the connector on the 91 light snip that and solder together extend if needed. That way the original wiring harness isnt cut and everything will still line up. Although the front lights will be on as parking lgihts now. Hmm, I'm sure there's something to rewire, but there will be a way to do it w/o messing up the factory wires.

Also no offense brian, but I agree with ryan. Pretty much anything would make the front look better, not that I have much room to talk.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I agree, my front end is screwed. I havent talken to Barscotti lately, but if you see him try to drop a line and let him know im interested. Should make it easier when i have to go up there to ask him.

The wiring im not too worried about. I can splice wiring Soldering would be better for it.

-Brian

[91White-T]

Somehow he'd have to be able to move his blinker/parking combo down, or up or somehow work the wires so that they do what he needs.

All you gotta do is unplug the wiring from the blinkers and parking lights and switch em!! They use the same connector and everything is easy to reach. It'll take all of 5 minutes.

[THAWA]

but arent the blinkers and parking lights the same on 92

[91White-T]

Well it's that easy for a 91 at least....