(Part 2) Best products from r/subaru

honestly, i wouldn't get either of those. yeah they're both good, but you really don't need all of that.

what i use:

griot's garage clay

meguairs soap

mothers cleaner wax

nu finish

and of course a (or a couple) 5 gallon buckets with a grit guard , which is completely not necessary, but highly recommended by professional detailers. i don't use one, and my car comes out fine. and a good, soft wash mitt. either a good sponge or a wheel brush for your wheels would be needed as well.

my once a year routine is as follows:

wash, claybar, nu polish, cleaner wax

usually wash every 2 weeks or so, and rewax every 6 weeks or so. if i did a bunch of off roading and the paint is gritty i'll clay as needed, but usually it's once a year.

also head over to /r/autodetailing for a lot of tips. beware though that they use a lot of very high end products, and circle jerk over polishing and getting perfect reflections. if all you're looking to do is keeping your paint in good condition, then what i do is just fine. if you're interested in keeping your paint better than factory, follow them.

There's nothing bad about your halogens; they're actually quite good, technically. They just need fresh, high-performance bulbs. Your stock bulbs are long-life H7 bulbs. This is how much improvement you can expect from new halogen bulbs alone. Can we say yes to 60+ feet?

And that was a test of previous-generation, high-performance H7 bulbs. The Philips XtremeVision, the king of the aforementioned test, has been dethroned by the even more savage Philips RacingVision. You can safely expect 70+ feet of additional sight distance with the RacingVisions. And they're super white to boot.

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And if you want to go retarded with the output, remember that your typical H7 puts out 1450 lumens. There are special bulbs coming out in the next few days which are basically H9 bulbs with a H7 base. H9 bulbs put out 2100+ lumens. The H7 base allow them to fit into your Subie. That's a 45% increase in lumen count. That's only if you want to go full-retarded with the amount of light coming from your Subaru. Me, personally, I'd stick with the easily found Philips RacingVision H7 from Amazon. The special H7/H9 hybrid bulbs are more expensive and not on Amazon.

If you also upgrade your high-beams (9005) to HIR1 bulbs (9011), you'll put putting out 2500 lumens per bulb, per side, instead of a mere 1870. The total lumen count of your Subaru will be 2500+2500+2100+2100 = over 9000 (9200). Again, only if you want to go full-retarded with light.

I bought one a couple months ago and I love it. I've actually recorded one accident at an intersection already (luckily not my own) and was able to offer the footage to those involved and the police if they needed it. After doing some research I heard a lot of good things about the G1W. There are knockoffs, but the one I got from "Black Box" on amazon appears to be legit. I got the "stealth" one as well for less glare from it. Here's the links to everything you need it you want to pick up a good one for a good price:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HMNFWYW

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CES44EO

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JWGC29U

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00L3XXRI0

If you've got prime (which you should because it's fuckin awesome. Seriously get it or find a friend with it and get on theirs) then this whole setup almost exactly a hundred bucks and you're all set to go.

PS, great car, how long have you had her? Sorry to see the damage.

How about some stuff other than bling like a Group N pitch rod: https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=1477

Or perhaps some nice Sankei 555 ball joints: http://www.42autosports.com/Sankei-555-Front-Ball-Joints--Subaru_p_258.html

A set of fender braces: http://www.paranoidfabrications.com/shop/2008-super-sweet-cowl-stays-aka-fender-braces/

Crazy idea here but an extended timing belt guide: http://www.rallysportdirect.com/shop/product/tom-191263-tomei-timing-belt-guide?ymm=2003-subaru-impreza-wrx-2-0

Some hella sweet DOT4 brake fluid: http://www.amazon.com/ATE-706202-Original-Brake-Fluid/dp/B003VXRPL0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449629716&sr=8-1&keywords=ate+type+200+brake+fluid

Waterless coolant: http://www.amazon.com/Evans-Cooling-Systems-EC53001-Performance/dp/B00TPVI2TQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449629782&sr=8-1&keywords=Waterless+coolant

I can go on. I guess the point I'm making is a person could buy a car girl or guy something for under 60 dollars that could make their vehicle better. Not hating on the coasters or tie or cups, different people like different things. I'd just rather spend my money on gifts to my close car friends that will make their driving experiences and cars better than give them a Subaru pint glass.

Edit: words

I'm looking at these for my Subaru Legacy (2012) as well. I'm curious how fast they booth up and if the 8500 is faster than the 8400 at all?

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So far I haven't been able to find much for reviews on the 8500, guessing it is because it hasn't been readily available for sale for all too long. At least it seems like the 8500 only became available at Best Buy and in the last month and Crutchfield maybe a month or so longer.

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I'm also curious. I have the silver dash in my legacy. The only silver dash kit I can find is this one on Amazon (Also available on Crutchfield). I'm curious if anyone has experience with it and can report on how well it matches with the silver dash in the Subaru. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ANAHJ92/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

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Anyone with the 8400 or 8500 have any experience with how well the steering wheel controls translate to working with the receiver, as well as if the add-on backup camera is worth while at all?

TL;DR - It was cursed.

Sorry for typos.

Well, it started when the green one died due to a cracked block caused by a severe overheat.

I found the GT, the car that I had always wanted. The fact that it was a Limited made it even better. It was a 99 for sale in 2008 with only 20-something thousand miles. I thought I struck gold. Took it for a test drive, gave it a visual inspection, of course the sales guy said it was tip-top and he showed me the work orders for things like tires and brakes and inspections, so I bought it for cash on the spot.

It overheated the night I brought it home.

I drove it back to the dealership at night, parked it in front of their showroom door and threw the keys in the mail slot. Then I got back home and stopped the check (which I later found out was technically grand theft auto).

They call me the next day and asked why I had done that and I told them about the overheat and based on my experience it needed head gaskets. They agreed to fix it at no cost even though they didn't offer a warrantee due to the car's age.

Wonderful.

I forgot to mention, this was at a Mitsubishi dealership.

After 3 months of them trying to fix everything BUT the head gaskets that could cause an engine to overhead, they relented and sent it to a Subaru dealership down the street. They had it fixed in 3 days.

I finally have my car. All is well. Except for the cloud of smoke that comes up from the engine bay whenever I stop.

Turns out through all of the bullshit they Mitsu dealership did, they caused a pretty significant oil leak that was dripping right down onto the Y pipe. Instead of taking it back to the shit hole and against my better judgement, I picked up a bottle of this shit and poured it in. After a couple days, the smoke stopped.

Perfect. All is right with the world.

A couple months later I've got it up on a lift at the shop I used to work at and I come to find that it had some pretty severe subframe damage due to a front end collision that wasn't reported and/or kept from me when I bought it. Well, it wasn't affecting anything with the car, so I just made sure not to get into any passenger side front overlap collisions. Which I never did, thankfully.

After that, I was driving back home, about 160 mile trip, and right as I'm getting off the highway the resonator on my exhaust fell off leaving about a 12" gap in the pipe right after the cat. I patched it with a female/female piece of exhaust pipe from Auto Zone and a couple crush clamps.

At some point after that my wife backed into it with her CRV while pulling out of the garage bending the hood up about 2".

Then finally, it died. While driving about 35mph the engine started bucking and I lost all power. It never turned over again. I had it towed back to my apartment and eventually sold it not running to a member on USMB.

He swapped out the engine for a fresh one and turned a couple grand profit. Good for him. While he was doing it, he decided to find out why the engine blew up. It turns out some asshole poured a bottle of this shit into the engine which gumed up the screen in the oil pan and the engine had basically been running without oil for the better part of a year and a half.

I was finally rid of the car.

But it's not over.

About 2 months later I get a letter in the mail from Morgantown, WV saying I had an outstanding parking ticket. WTF? I've never even been to Morgantown. Yeah. I forgot to take off the plate when I sold it and after the guy I sold it to got it running he got a parking ticket with my plates. Thankfully, he paid it and apologized.

I've been asked this several times haha. I'll do a little explaining now, but I think it's time I put together an album explaining it with pictures.

I used the following wiring harness:
OPT7 Offroad Light Bar wiring Harness Kit (4 Items), 380W - Single Connector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1NS0PS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_u9hrxb06G38RA

The wiring is in a protective plastic/rubber sleeve. I ran the sleeve up the side of the windshield. On my windshield there's a slight gap between the metal of the body and glass, like the Rubber seal is set in a little bit. I cut a thin strip of 3m exterior mounting tape and used a screwdriver or something to push it into the gap.

Scotch Exterior Mounting Tape, 1-Inch by 60-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004Z4BV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UaLrxbHN01CVZ

The adhesive tape has held up all winter and about a total of 8 months, so I'd say it works well.

I ran it up the passenger side because the way my light bar was the wiring came out on that side, plus you don't see it easily everytime you get in the car. You could do the drivers side also. The wiring harness I used was basically just long enough. I'd recommend starting from the light and working backwards to the battery, that way you don't have any extra wiring up top.

You can also use some type of adhesive wire clip to guide the wire down the rain gutter thing so it's a little more secure till it gets to the light. I attempted to do this, but I had trouble getting the clip things to stick.I'll probably try to redo it soon.

Like I said, I'll try to get some pictures when I get around to it to help explain it further.

This way is a lot easier and "safer" than drilling through the roof or something.

Went with this, Rexing V1P. Did a good amount of research, this had the best amount of good reviews and good customer service response, as well as solid features. I will be hardwiring it into my car as well with their hardwire kit.

WRX and Shepherd owner here, proof if needed and because she is cute...

I don't have the limited package for my WRX, so hair can be quite an issue with her tagging along in the back. But someone mentioned to me a while back on this sub to pick up a pet hair removal stone (yeah, weird concept I know), which along with a vacuum works pretty damn well.

I wouldn't recommend the stone for delicate cloth, but my seats seem fine and it really does a good job of loosening the hairs and picking them up for easier vacuuming.

Also, good looking Shepherd and color combination on the Subie!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYTXHMW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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This one. Super cheap and easy to put on. and pretty damn durable. Ive scraped it a couple times and its held on like a champ.

Yay for STI and GSDs.

Car selection aside... get this rock to help with hairs.

If you go new, I would also recommend negotiating in rear bumper cover, trunk mat and all weather mats. The rear bumper cover has at least protected against scratches from my dog getting in and out.

First of all, take the break in period seriously. For the first 1000 miles, Subaru says to try to avoid running it above 3000 rpms. So basically, don't go too fast when you're in higher gears.

Hold off on mods for a little while until you really get a feel for the car and how it drives. Get a baseline and then look into mods if that's your thing. They are badass cars stock from the dealer.

Change the oil frequently, around every 3,500 miles or so, and use good oil. Rotella t6 seems to be the popular and economical choice.

Check your oil level weekly. Subarus have a tendency to burn oil, even when they're new. Subaru is involved in a class action lawsuit over the matter now. Either way, its not unusual to have to add a half quart every now and then.

Keep up on maintenance. Subarus are just as reliable as Hondas and Toyotas, but they tend to be more finicky about maintenance. Try to follow the book. Brake fluid and coolant should definitely be changed every 30,000 miles. I reccommend OEM coolant and ATE brake fluid. Some of the other stuff isn't as necessary (spark plugs every 30k miles is kind of overkill, IMO) but use good judgement and don't be afraid to research.

Sweet thanks! Just ordered myself a set. For anyone else interested, they're 15% off on Amazon right now, for the hatch set at least.

https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Ventshade-896005-Ventvisor-Deflector/dp/B0035GS7WE

Okay, so, here is everything I used:

Light bar 28" flood/spot

Mount to 1" roof basket bar

Wire Clips

Wire harness, this comes with the bar if you choose the package. I ran the switch through the firewall wire grommet by cutting a hole in the grommet (BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT ANY WIRES). The wire that plugs into the car was run under the hood and up the window, secured by the clips. I followed this guys guide, u/DauphDaddy He didn't use the same harness but its the same idea. Hope this helps!!

https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/6jzqqo/z/djieu7o

> I used the 3m kit. Works really well, it's fairly involved but is the correct way to do it. You also will have to put some sealant or cover on it to prevent it happening again. I got the xpel kit. Ammonyc has a good guide.



> XPEL H3804C Clear Headlamp and Fog Lamp Protection Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007X7R9C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_C47uzb6FAQ6TH

> 3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_j07uzbTH2YH63

> https://youtu.be/uqOKmZ9mMfc

a good resource for dashcam reviews is http://www.dashcamtalk.com. generally the g1w is the best for the money camera (cheap). I have an a118c in the front and a mobius actioncam in the back.

you would also need an add a fuse tap (get the one compatible with your cars fuses)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=add+a+fuse

and a hardwire kit (again get the one that goes to your camera):

http://www.amazon.com/Dash-Camera-Vehicle-Hard-Wire/dp/B00MH4ZVHO/ref=sr_1_2?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1462289270&sr=8-2&keywords=dash+cam+hardwire+kit&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

Thanks for posting. Great setup, especially the DIY custom sun shade with afforadable amazon poles Bravo!

They're Auto Ventshade 896005. They work well and dont break the bank, also look pretty good imo.

I'm running an eTune from Eric at Torqued Performance, absolutely great experience and highly recommend him. The AP is mounted with a Schosce vent mount.

Thanks for the reply so what i'm seeing are something like these? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AS5QC1C/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

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How would you loop them through? Sorry if this is a dumb question just want to make sure I do it right..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EX8ATKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wYvGzb2506W4S

I have this one. It works great, it is very stealthy and very easy to install.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNSDRW8 Its not half bad, but the "parking" sensor is super sensitive even on the least sensitive setting. Half the time i close my door it thinks someone has bumped my car.

Thank you! It's a rola basket with the extension to make it a lil bigger and a yitamotor 34 inch curved Led bar. The curve of the bar matches the curve of the basket almost perfectly. I wrapped the basket where it attaches together with FiberFix just for some extra strength and also the back half of the basket is suspended over the roof without support from a cross bar so it needed the reinforcement.

Great looking Impreza.

Dumb question, what are the front license plate mounting holes like?

I have a 2016 Forester and had to get a special mounting bracket because the holes are Japanese style. I have an 2017 Impreza on order was wondering if I needed the same thing.

If I zoom in the front bumper, it looks like there are two little button-ish things?

So it's mostly custom, actually!

The roof basket is this one.

The canopy is just a 6'x8' generic tarp I picked up at a surplus store. The mounting hardware is an aluminum L bracket from Lowes with U-bolts securing it to the basket. Drilled holes in the bracket that lined up with the tarp grommets, then bought some nuts and bolts to secure the tarp to the bracket.

After that, I picked up these adjustable poles, some guy-line, and stakes to complete the setup! Takes maybe 5-10 minutes to set up. While not as elegant as an actual retractable awning you can buy, it was a fraction of the cost. And fun to make!

LastHumansGarage did a video on this one. It works great! It's magnetic. Much cleaner look.

https://www.amazon.com/Scosche-MAGVM2-MagicMount-Magnetic-Devices/dp/B00PMOCI72

The G1WH is pretty popular also.

I got this for our Outback:

https://www.amazon.com/Rola-59504-Vortex-Mounted-Basket/dp/B004R34HDC

Plus this:

https://www.amazon.com/Rola-59505-Vortex-Mounted-Extension/dp/B001G4Z5NQ/ref=pd_lpo_263_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G17AAJSCYHB7EMTKT31N

It's a HUGE rack and half the price of Thule or Yakima. Highly recommend. I believe you'll need to purchase the crossbars for it though.

Those bulbs are shit. See. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/good/good.html

You went to 1380 lumens, which is rather low. You could be at 2100 lumen, and see everything.

H11 -> H9 low beam mod = 55% increase in light output
9011 high beam mod = 48% increase in light output

Your best is to do a little mod, which can be done with a nail clipper (you just cut away some metal from the bulb housing. And use H9 bulbs instead. (http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/138-gen-5-2015-present/186450-headlamp-modification-h11-h9-retrofit.html).

These are the best fucking halogen low beams bulbs you can fit into a Subaru (https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Standard-Halogen-Replacement-Headlight/dp/B003YMPN3A).

If you want to do the same mod to your highbeams, you can do so by swapping to an HIR 9011 bulb.(http://dastern.torque.net/Mods/HIRmod.html) (https://www.amazon.com/Philips-9011-Standard-Replacement-Headlight/dp/B00480J5CW)

Here is a schedule and product list I've compiled. The first sheet is my routine and the other tabs are products with links to (mostly) Amazon pages.
This has been built over several years of detailing with some recent additions specifically for the Sub (namely the Menzerna Micro Polish 4500 which is better for the softer paint).
I use 1Z shampoo and wax only because I don't pay for it. If I were buying those myself, I'd use Meguiar's Gold Class and Collinite 845 for wax.

As lifetrees mentioned, check out /r/autodetailing, read the links to the right for product reviews and how-to's, learn the 2 bucket method, and check out some videos on things like polishing and waxing as these can be difficult to do properly on a dark color vehicle as they show every imperfection in the paint.

Also i dont know how i forgot hella supertones. they look good, and make you safer because they are loud

for your headlights make sure to find a guide specifically for the hawkeye (60-07 models)

My husband and I both have a Roav dash cam. It takes quality video during the day and at night. It also has a “parking sensor” and a “collision sensor” that automatically record and save video when someone walks up to the car in a parking lot or if it senses a hard jolt/collision. You can also save videos directly to your phone via the Roav app (WiFi required).

It is about $70 currently but it sometimes goes on sale on Amazon for $55. I have never had any issues with it so far and I bought it 2 years ago.

Check out the Rola basket. Nicest one IMHO, less tall than the Yakima.

Dash Cam Mirror Mount - Fits Falcon F170HD,Rexing V1, Z-Edge, Old Shark, YI, Amebay,KDLINKS X1,VANTRUE and Most Other Dash Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0102CK1BS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YN8ZAb3HE1P74 - Mount

Roav by Anker Dash Cam C1, Car Recorder with Sony Sensor, 1080P FHD, 4-Lane Wide-Angle View Lens, Built-in WiFi with APP, G-Sensor, WDR, Loop Recording, Night Mode, Parking Mode [Upgraded Version] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNSDRW8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OO8ZAbCG46QDE - Dashcam

The mount fits basically any dash can so there may be better ones out there!

Hella horns. Really popular among the Subaru community.

The wiring kit and the add a fuse tap. Get whichever tap for your size fuse in your interior fuse box. Run the wires in the headliner and down the a pillar.

I recommend the a118c dash cam.

https://www.amazon.com/Dash-Camera-Vehicle-Hard-Wire/dp/B00MH4ZVHO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474857212&sr=8-1&keywords=dash+cam+wiring+kit

https://www.amazon.com/Pico-0956PT-Blade--Circuit-Holder/dp/B001QRSBW0/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1474857229&sr=1-1&keywords=add+a+fuse





I copied this from a response I got when I was researching this.

Not sure if it's what you're referring to, BUT lately I've been spotting that lots of subaru's with aftermarket grills reveal these two little circles in front of the radiator.

Finally did a search and found they are the "Hella Supertones" op mentioned in his mod list. They're aftermarket horns that seem to be louder than stock. They look kind of cool. Don't know about $50 cool.

I was wondering too and googled a few of the mods he listed below, looks like they're Hella Supertones

Bought on Amazon, link below. The front ones do ok as long as you don't lower the window past them. The rear ones do nothing, but no brand or style would do anything due to the way the rear windows open. They don't just open from the top but the rear edge also opens. So the rear ones are simply for looks no matter the brand you buy.

Auto Ventshade 896005 Seamless Ventvisor Window Deflector, 6 Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035GS7WE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4xbyzbC21AFTG

Well you don’t need one for the back plate, and with this you won’t need to drill new holes for the front plate:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EKVUJC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AHZTCb397DHEA

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MH4ZVHO/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A8IQBBGLCSUJ7

Do you use the above power cord for constant power? I actually have this model in my amazon cart.

Rola Vertex. http://www.amazon.com/Rola-59504-Vortex-Mounted-Basket/dp/B004R34HDC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375312790&sr=8-3&keywords=rola

I got it for $147 i believe on amazon

tape on. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035GS7WE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/Hella-SuperTone-Horn-Kit-118/dp/B000CRZXPI

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035GS7WE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_o6zDDbC4N5M9G

http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Ventshade-896005-Ventvisor-Deflector/dp/B0035GS7WE

Lowprofile ventvisors

They have them on amazon.

Then check this out. Fits into the pre-drilled holes

https://www.amazon.com/License-Plate-Adapter-Kit-Subaru/dp/B01EKVUJC8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1469648009&sr=8-1&keywords=B01EKVUJC8&linkCode=sl1&tag=lasthumansgar-20&linkId=b1a570a199b1033001d834a1f60c0855

Or you can just buy this and use the holes that are already there. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EKVUJC8/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Those are "Hella Supertones." A horn upgrade. They're really loud!

http://www.amazon.com/Hella-SuperTone-Horn-Kit-118/dp/B000CRZXPI

Comparison video

Hella SuperTones in blue

Just gonna leave this here for OP

Hatchback visor - http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Ventshade-896005-Ventvisor-Deflector/dp/B0035GS7WE

Sedan - http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Ventshade-896006-Ventvisor-Deflector/dp/B002SE1GFO

It's most likely going to say it doesn't fit the car, but it does! Here's the post that helped me find these - http://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/2fib6c/just_added_some_avs_visors_thoughts/