UK SG9 XT - HIDs to Halogen headlights, is it possible?

2928 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Dabooka, Jan 25, 2021

Dabooka

Discussion Starter · Oct 30, 2020

My motor has just failed the MOT on poor lights (no pattern; out of alignment and too low).

As one unit is completely borked and the other one clearly isn't moving correctly (I know the rear self adjusting unit is missing) I'm looking into replacements. I am thinking it may be simpler to downgrade to normal halogen headlight units, has anyone done this and is it even possible?

The HIDs are are as hell on the used market anyway, new ones I'm not sure are even available and I'm not certain it'll fix the problem anyway. Halogen units seem easier to find.

TIA

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TMX

· #4 · Oct 30, 2020

The Halogens did not have self levelling from memory, so you might still end up with the self levelling light on the dash if you switched over.....

The rest should in theory switch over. I might double check the cable thickness to make sure it's ok for 60Watt Halogens.
You might need to make a mini harness from the factory connection to the relevant bulb holder type connections for H1, H4, H7 or whichever bulbs the halogens use.

What was wrong with the lights? If they were glazed up, you can get headlamp restoration kits for £30 off Amazon/Halfords.......

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TMX

· #6 · Dec 28, 2020 (Edited by Moderator)

Have you tried any Subaru breakers for used spares?

You could go non-turbo headlights which from memory were Halogen and if you find them lacking in performance, perform an HID retrofit, which would give insanely good light performance far beyond what your factory HID headlights had. The Retrofit Source in the US is probably the best place for retrofit stuff and they'll sell both LHD and RHD projectors etc. @Inactive_55959 did a write up of how he did his here, to give you an idea what might be involved: ('06-'08) - 2008 - SG Projector Retrofit - a...

Here's some breakers or vehicles that appear to be being broken for spares

https://www.foresterspares.co.uk/

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There's a couple of non turbos being broken on Ebay too, if you were to go the halogen route.....

If the car hasn't been moved for a couple of months, it might be worth taking it for a spin around the block to free up the brakes etc so nothing is stuck/seized.

If your borked headlight still has an operating ballast, that might help recoup some costs of headlight changes as you'll then have a spare to keep or pass on.

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TMX

· #8 · Dec 28, 2020

Just thinking about this............ I'm assuming the MOT is the biggest problem right now for the vehicle. How far out was the beam pattern? Could it be solved with small spacers between the headlight assemblies and the chassis they bolt to? Just to get through an MOT to raise the beam pattern/entire enclosure...........I would think a corner garage would overlook the spacers perhaps?

I'm not sure if there was a rear sensor for the levelling, I thought there was just the 1 sensor - It's been years since I was under an MY06+ model so probably remembering wrong...... (I wonder what happened to my old MY06.......)

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TMX

· #11 · Dec 31, 2020

Does the working headlight not move in regards to the motors, or the manual adjusters with a screwdriver also do not move?
I would think you could put spacers underneath the mounting points of the headlights to the chassis? It might cause issues with fitting the front bumper though - Not 100% sure though

Halogens are probably the cheapest and easiest way forward - Not sure if it would bring up a levelling warning light though?

If you do decide to get rid, make sure you post on here before you stick it on the bay of E etc

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TMX

· #13 · Jan 1, 2021

@TJLang Do you mean complete enclosures or LED retrofits?

Probably best to start your own thread either way so this one doesn't go off topic regarding the 3rd gen

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