Also installed some LEDs for my plate but the Subaru housing for it makes the second one point the wrong way! Arrr. I figured out how to do a 180 on the housing to get it the right way, but I gotta open it back up and get some more slack on the wires.
The one on the right is installed backward. When I installed my plate LED's, they both pointed inward (towards the plate). You shouldn't have any problems with the wiring being too short, unless someone before you replaced a bulb, and reinstalled it wrong.
Other than that, looking pretty good. I want more pics though. :biggrin:
The one on the right is installed backward. When I installed my plate LED's, they both pointed inward (towards the plate). You shouldn't have any problems with the wiring being too short, unless someone before you replaced a bulb, and reinstalled it wrong.
Other than that, looking pretty good. I want more pics though. :biggrin:
Original 35w 6000k HIDs, now switched out for 35w 5000k Bi-Xenons.
HIDs installed
Beams
Installed some LEDs in the parking lamps. I found the housing was installed wrong by the last owner, cables were so tight I had to really work for slack to turn it the right way.
Fixed the housing by snipping some zip ties and gently pulling. Also added some chrome Forester license plate frames.
I ordered some relay harnesses on eBay, I modded them quite a bit to serve my purpose just how I wanted. Here is the preliminary install before I get some wire loom and get it all bundled up for extended use. The install took me the better part of the evening as I custom made a lot and modded the relay but I think it turned out pretty well.
EDIT: This relay was replaced with my own design but that was eventually removed and I am no longer using a relay at all. Also, I reconnected the DRL resistor and then disconnected the DRL module.
Overall shot of the engine: (Red wire going across will be put in a protective wire loom soon, I don't want all the heat damaging the wires to the passenger HID.)
Driver HID overview:
Closeup of the HID itself (The spliced wires are for the high beam halogen, I didn't put them on the relay as they were always on for some reason when I did, so I hooked them to the stock harness. Under all of the electrical tape are connectors so I can replace the bulb fairly easily if need be. Just gotta peel the tape and re-tape, no biggie.)
Here is where I stuffed the relay itself
Passenger HID overview
Passenger Relay
Relay Fuses (I think they are 25 amp but I can't remember.)
Disabled the DRLs (I disconnected the resistor and taped off the end of the cable and zip tied it so it wasn't floating around.)
Your Member Journal is coming along nicely! I didn't do a Journal on the '03X, now my son's Forester. On the positive side, those MODs have been done to my new '07 FSXT that I moved on to in July & I did start a Member Journal. :biggrin:
Question for the other car electronic buffs, do my relays look OK? Not too "ghetto" since I did a lot of modifications myself?
Tests last night show the HIDs are getting much better power, ie no flicker, and they warm up faster, I'm just worried about longevity/safety. I was really careful about putting electrical tape over any spice or connector with an open end, but I wish I had some of those waterproof connectors. Didn't see them at my local auto parts store.
I make sure any wiring I do in the engine compartment is waterproofed, since it's going to get wet in there.
IMO, the relays should be mounted vertically with the wiring connected from below. If you used a socket, I'd fill the connectors with dielectric grease before plugging it together. This will prevent any water from getting to the connection.
I'm not a fan of electrical tape, except for temporary use. In my experience, the adhesive will release as it ages. I prefer shrink tubing, filling any splice with dielectric grease before shrinking to get a waterproof seal.
Dashboard dual din pod installed, currently waiting for my new Nav unit to put in. Will take out the clock, not needed, and take out the stock deck and fill the space with another storage pod like the one below it.
First off, I apologize, I didn't take installation pictures. It was cold, I was tired, and I just wanted to get my nav unit it in. I worked on it from about 2PM to 7:30PM and got it all in and working perfectly. I will take internal wiring pics when I have to connect my rear view camera and a few other odds and ends. I got a few tiny scape marks on the dash from prying it open but I think I can smooth them out. The hardest part was the stupid vent and heat controls. My back and neck still hurt from disconnecting and reconnecting those servos. Works out really nice in the pod, don't have to look down anymore to do stuff on the stereo, much safer where it is now up high.
I also bought a second DIN storage pod so I have two now in the original deck location. The top one holds my iPod and has the cable routed in it via a hole I cut in the back. The bottom one holds a USB connection for a flash drive and the AUX input connectors.
Mix from cell phone pics & D300 for now:
Here it is!!! (For reference, scroll up a ways to see the pre-install how it looked.)
iPod:
USB
Nav:
iPod/USB:
Eject:
DVD: (OMG this is so dangerous! lol)
Notes:
Gotta get a wire to the engine speed sensor for more accurate GPS readings but have no idea where that is located. PROBLEM SOLVED
Reverse wire and rear view camera not hooked up yet.
Connected parking break cable to common ground per instructions from fellow AVN4430 owners online to enable full function all the time.
Yes, I know what you mean about the manual climate control cables being a PIA. I have those in my '03. Still, I prefer their functionality over the automatic climate controls on my '07. :frown:
Installed the new battery ring terminals for more accessories and higher quality connections. The terminals are made by XScorpion. I put a gold one on the positive terminal and a platinum one on the negative terminal.
I got some new Bi-Xenon Hi/Lo HID bulbs (dropped down to 5000k vs the original 6000k) which work great with my existing ballasts but my existing relay isn't Bi-Xenon compatible. I was poking around on the web and found a really cool little solid state relay to go with instead.
I will make a diagram of the new wiring, but my existing relay and all my custom HID wiring got pulled out tonight in preparation. I am excited, it is extremely simple and should work better since the 03X is low side switched and most Bi-Xenon relays don't work with that.
EDIT: This relay was eventually removed and I am no longer using a relay at all.
I purchased my 04 Forester XT 5MT on December 16, 2019 as the Daily Driver replacement for my wrecked 05 WRX Wagon. It was in pretty great shape, had 133K miles on the clock, and was completely BONE STOCK except for a Magnaflow muffler. It had a set of snow tires on it, and also came with a...
Starting this build thread for everybody that is looking to swap their engine with one from a GR gen STI.
The donor car is 2009 Forester XT with 123k miles and an overheated EJ255. The EJ257 engine is from a 2012 STI with 60k miles. Some performance mods will be done to reach the target...
In the past few months i've gone from owning 2 VW to 2 Subarus. My garage currently has a 2017 Forester XT Touring w/eyesight and a 2005 Forester XT Premium. This project log is for the 2005 as the 2017 will remain mostly stock. I've found this forum to be very helpful in finding information...
For a few years my dad and I have thrown around the idea of starting a project together - we finally pulled the trigger on an '05 FXT 5spd.
I previously owned a VF34 powered 2007 WRX wagon with a 6spd swap (the Stealthwagon) that I had a lot of fun with - feel free to check my build thread over...
I've been wanting a second car to enjoy and wrench on for awhile. Saved up the cash and went to look at a few miatas but there was a cheap running and inspected 130k mile auto 05XT locally that kept catching my eye, After some shenanigans with a Miata seller, I decided to go look at this 05XT...
We’re the best Subaru Forester Owners Forum to talk about the best years of the Subaru Forester, modifications and reliability history of the Subaru Forester.
I didn't do a Journal on the '03X, now my son's Forester. On the positive side, those MODs have been done to my new '07 FSXT that I moved on to in July & I did start a Member Journal. :biggrin:
DirtyLoincloth · updated 
Dimi EJ20X · updated 
Tweak3D · updated 
NinoS · updated 
