Lighting options 1997 Liberty

Ant_Man · Post by **Ant_Man** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:34 pm

Hi folks,

I’ve spent a bit of time over the past few days trying to find some lights for my 1997 GX Liberty Wagon. Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful and in desperation this afternoon, found this site via google. I have since searched here for info on my problem and found nothing so I think it’s safe to ask my questions.

I use my wagon for towing my boat around. Most journeys are long at between 300-1500 kms and they are mostly highway kms with the odd wombat and kangaroo around. The factory lights on my car are just not up to the job and I need some help.

What would you folks recommend in terms of driving lights/spotlights/HIDs etc? I have attached a small image of the bumper to give you an idea of what I have to work with in terms of mounting space. Sorry the pic is not the best but I am away from home and consequently my external HDD of photos!

FYI I contacted all the major bulbar and nudge bar manufacturers I could find) as well as places like subaextreme) and none have a nudge bar that would suit my model. I was hoping this could solve any mounting problems.

Any suggestions on lights and mounting options are welcomed. I really need longer reach as well as more ambient illumination for these long, late night drives with very little traffic on the roads aside from the wildlife.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

Cheers
Anthony

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:46 pm

HIDS wuld be a very good upgrade. the ebay ones seem to be alright for other people.

or if not willing to spend that much maybe some Narva Plus 50's or the likes, which are suppose to extend the beam of light ive heard which may be good for seeing down the road more.

theres also a small bar you can buy cheaply from auto stores which mounts behind the numberplate to mount spotties on.
but some dont like the look of it on there car.

i reckon go for some 35W HID's off Ebay. can be had around $150 or something i think

Ant_Man · Post by **Ant_Man** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:04 am

Thanks mate.....please keep the suggestions coming......

How do you mount the HIDs? From what I read on here (and I dont know much about them) there is all sorts of problems with getting them adjusted correctly causing a lot of annoyance to other road users? Is this true?

Also money is not the biggest concern. The max I would go is about 1k but like everyone, if I can do it cheaper would prefer to.

Thanks
Anthony

Battlewagon · Post by **Battlewagon** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:06 am

Bear in mind that retrofitting HID lights may not be legal, you fit them at your own risk.

Ant_Man · Post by **Ant_Man** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:08 am

OK then they are out of the question as it is a fishing car...I get pulled over enough as it is in the other one!! Don't need the same hassle with the boat on the back 12 hours from home...

Thanks for the head's up...

Anthony

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:23 am

you could always source some JDM GEN2 Projectors to fit them in.
then theyd be legal i guess.

but yer i guess legalities are a worry for some people.

also as for fitting HIDS in they simply replace the current globes that you have.

but if you want legalities and simply better/more lighting then mounting some decent spotties would be probabaly the best option. for 1K you coudl certainly buy some very nice spotlights to.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Fri May 16, 2008 6:56 am

Yeah I would have to agree that Gen2's headlight are sh*t and I do complain at night time... saying to myself.. "I gotta get external lights for full beam to give me better beam" but when I get home, main thing is I am at home and I forget about it... I've already looked at Projectors but no one seems to have them for RHS side car, nearly has LHS.
Cheers
AP

Ant_Man · Post by **Ant_Man** » Fri May 16, 2008 8:57 am

Thanks for the replies guys. I have spent a couple of hours trying to find the JDM GEN2 Projectors with no luck so I guess its down to some sort of bar mounting option and some spotties.

Can anyone suggest a place to get the bar or even better a link to the page as well. As far as spotties go - are LightForce 170 Striker 100W Twin Pack worth a look?

Thanks for the replies thus far. I have only just realised how bad my lights are after my missus purchased a new Impreza a couple of days ago. The standard lights she has in that would be fine for my needs but I cannot find the projectors that you mentioned earlier.

Any help is very much appreciated. I live about 200kms out from Melbourne otherwise I would drive around and ask folks at shops. As my car goes in for a work on Monday I was hoping to organise the required bits and have them fit them while the car is in the shop over the next fortnight.

Thanks to those that have taken the time to read and reply.

Anthony

foxx510 · Post by **foxx510** » Fri May 16, 2008 9:29 am

I'd be going to an exhaust shop or a steel fabricator and getting them to bend up a simple nudge bar for you. Take some photos of the subaextreme bars to show what you want. It shouldn't cost more than a few hundred bucks to get one made from mild steel, which you could just paint to match your bumper or go matt black. Get them to weld a couple of mounting tabs on for the lights.
The lightforce lights are supposed to be good. You can make your current lights much better by rewiring them with relays and putting some +50 globes in. I reckon the lighting bars that you just mount behind the number plate would result in shaky lights which can be very annoying.

Ant_Man · Post by **Ant_Man** » Fri May 16, 2008 12:18 pm

Thanks people. Will investigate all these options.

I just contacted Import Monster and they advised me to enquire on the forums as to the specific part to fit my model Liberty. Can anyone help me to find out which model/part (JDM GEN2 Projectors) will fit my car. A 1997 GX Liberty wagon. See attached pic of bumper.

Thanks guys. I reckon I am on the right track now....

Link to Import Monster page....http://www.importmonster.com.au/auction?cat=215&term=bd

Antony

Post by **Alex** » Fri May 16, 2008 2:57 pm

mate, just get some 6000k HID's to replace your original bulbs. You wont get pulled over for them. Nor will you piss other drivers off, the reflectors in newer cars are much better and you WILL see a massive improvement.

I have HID's in both my cars. In my gen3 liberty they made such a big difference it was remarkable. Never been flashed in the liberty.

Also if that isnt enough get some spotties and mount them on a 'uni-bar' which goes in ontop of the numberplate like matatak said. I would steer away from putting spotties in your foglight holes becasue they are too low to the ground and wont work very well.

get some projectors if you wish, but not neccessary in my opinion.

alex

Ant_Man · Post by **Ant_Man** » Fri May 16, 2008 9:20 pm

Thanks Alex. I have been following up much of what has been written here today.

Could you please send me a link to something suitable to purchase? Can you recommend anything in terms of HID kits?

Thanks
Antony

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Fri May 16, 2008 10:01 pm

The HIDs are normally from JDM Legacy GT - go to ebay Canada and there is a couple of projectors there. Give HID a go first and see if you're happy with or not. eBay is a best friend to start off first.
Cheers
AP

bobbyjimmy · Post by **bobbyjimmy** » Sat May 17, 2008 8:58 am

Just type "H4 6000k HID" into eBay, you'll get a few hundred options.
Pick whichever suits your budget and timeframe (most come from China, Hong Kong etc so take 2 or 3 weeks) you can get a kit for $100.

I'd also get a set of the JDM projector headlights from importmonster.com.au - go to browse, body kit etc, Subaru, headlights, then search for BD or BG (the model of your car), should get a fair few results, make sure you get a pair. I've read on ozliberty.com about people with the projectors and HID kits and being very impressed with them.

Ant_Man · Post by **Ant_Man** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:24 am

FYI .....

I received my H4 bi-xenon lights last week and cannot believe how good they are. I have had to aim them lower to not annoy oncoming drivers - but they kick the sh#t out of anything else I have seen and when clicked to high beam are out of this world. Very clean light 4300 50 watt.....with a great flood on the left side of the road where I want it. This is without projectors.

The first night I used them I got dozens of flashes and so had to re-aim them. While aimed lower than what is recommended for my car - they are are just awesome. And with the 100 Watt Lightforce 170s as well, are ideal for driving with my boat on the back.

Thanks for the advice given in the previous pages. For the record the only problem encountered was that the spotties will not run off the headlights as legally required. We played with various configurations including some variations with neg/pos switching at the driving lights relay - all for no result. As such the driving lights are wired independently of the headlights for the time being.

But for anyone contemplating it I would say go ahead. It is the single best thing that I have ever done in relation to my car.

Cheers
Anthony

The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Lighting options 1997 Liberty

Lighting options 1997 Liberty

Thanks and please others feel free to respond..

Thanks

Suggestions?

Getting close - help with part identifcation needed

For the record....