Upgrading your 04 wrx tail lights is honestly among the easiest ways to give your Subaru a brand new appearance without spending a lot of money or spending just about all weekend in the garage. If you've owned a blobeye for almost any length associated with time, you know how the rear end of these vehicles is iconic, but the factory lighting can begin to look the little tired right after two decades on the road. Whether you're coping with sun-faded plastic or you just want to modernize the vehicle with some LEDs, modifying things up back there makes the massive difference within how the car presents itself.
Let's be genuine, the 2004 model year was the sweet location for the particular Impreza. It acquired that perfect balance of rally traditions and street presence. But while the particular engine and the AWD system hold up great along with maintenance, the plastics—especially the light housings—tend to demonstrate their age. You start since weird hazing, or perhaps a little little bit of moisture starts creeping into the seals. It occurs to the very best of us.
Exactly why Change Out Your Stock Lights?
There are a few reasons precisely why someone would want to swap their 04 wrx tail lights . Regarding most people, it's purely about the aesthetic. The share units have that classic circular internal design that everyone recognizes, but in comparison to modern vehicles, they can appear a bit "analog. " If you're heading for an even more aggressive build, individuals bright red plus clear stock enclosures might stick out there like a sore thumb against a place of dark wheels or a co2 fiber trunk.
Another big reason is simply efficiency. Old incandescent lights are fine, however they aren't exactly crisp. When you phase for the brakes with a fresh collection of LED-equipped enclosures, the response is instant. It's a little detail, but it actually makes the car a little more secure since people behind you see your brake lights take on just a fraction of a second faster. Plus, you won't have to worry regarding a bulb burning up out every 6 months.
After that there's the "JDM style" itch that every Subaru owner eventually gets. In the particular US market, all of us got a certain look, but over within Japan, the enclosures often had slight variations within the lens tint or the way the blinkers had been colored. Getting a collection of 04 wrx tail lights that mimics that will clean, imported appearance is a ceremony of passage for many enthusiasts.
The Different Styles Available
When you start looking for replacements, you're going in order to find a ton of options. It may actually be a bit overwhelming if you don't have a specific vision intended for your car.
The Classic Used to smoke Look
Used to smoke tail lights are most likely the most well-known choice for anyone along with a dark-colored WRX. If your vehicle is World Move Blue, black, or even gray, a smoked cigarettes lens can actually tie the whole "mean" look together. You have to become careful to not move too dark, though. You continue to want people to see your signals during the particular day. Most trustworthy aftermarket brands provide a light smoke that looks sleek but keeps items safe.
Clear Lens (The Modern Vibe)
On the other hand, some people adore the clear lens look. This generally involves an obvious outer shell with reddish colored LED internals. It's a very "early 2000s tuner" character that has really been making the huge comeback lately. On a white or silver 04 WRX, clear enclosures look incredibly razor-sharp and clean.
Full LED Conversion rate
If you're less worried around the lens color and more worried around the light output, a full LED conversion is the particular way to go. These usually function distinct "light bars" or "halos" that behave as your running lights. It completely changes the "signature" from the car with night. Rather than 2 glowing red blobs, you get the sharp, defined shape that looks like it belongs on a much newer vehicle.
Dealing with Common Issues
One thing you'll notice with any kind of 04 wrx tail lights —whether they're 20 years old or even completely new out of a box—is that will they aren't ideal. The most typical headache is humidity.
If you ever discover fog or water droplets inside your tail light housing, it means the seal has failed. This particular is super typical on the GD chassis. When you're installing new lights, it's always a good idea to check the polyurethane foam gaskets. If these people feel thin or brittle, don't also bother with them. Invest a few bucks on some high-quality butyl tape or even new OEM gaskets to make sure your trunk remains dry. There's nothing at all worse than locating a puddle inside your spare tire nicely your own tail lights leaked.
An additional thing to watch out for is the particular wiring. If you're switching from standard bulbs to LEDs, you might come across "hyperflash. " This is when your turn indicators blink super fast because the car considers a bulb is usually out (since LEDs draw so very little power). Most high-end 04 wrx tail lights include resistors built-in to solve this, but if these people don't, you'll need to swap your flasher relay. It's a simple five-minute fix underneath the dash, but it's something to maintain in mind.
The Installation Procedure
Honestly, changing these lights is one of the best "beginner" mods you can do. You don't require a lift, a person don't need a huge toolkit, and you probably won't even make your hands dirty.
Initial, you just put the trunk and pull back the particular carpeting on the sides. You'll notice a few nut products holding the casing onto your body associated with the car. Use a small socket wrench (usually a 10mm, because it's usually a 10mm with these cars) and meticulously remove them. Just a pro suggestion: don't drop the nut products. They love to fall under the abyss behind the rear quarter panels, and you'll spend an hour fishing them out there with a magnet.
Once the nuts are off, the light should just slide straight back again. Unplug the wires harness, give the area a quick wipe down (it's probably filthy back there), and after that plug in your new 04 wrx tail lights . Prior to you bolt everything back down, convert on your hazards and step upon the brakes to make sure everything lights upward correctly. It's method easier to repair a loose plug now than it is after you've tucked all the carpet back in.
Keeping Your Lights Looking New
Once you've got your new lights installed, you'll want them to stay searching fresh. Plastic is definitely sensitive to ULTRAVIOLET rays, which is why therefore many old Subarus have yellowed or "chalky" lights.
If you went using a high-quality aftermarket set, they usually have an UV-resistant coating, but this doesn't hurt in order to give them the coat of wax or a ceramic sealant whenever a person wash the car. This helps get rid of water and safeguards the plastic through the sun. If you're staying with your own original 04 wrx tail lights and they're searching a bit hazy, you can actually polish them back again to life using a basic headlight repair kit. It will take some elbow oil, but the results may be pretty astonishing.
Conclusions
At the finish of the day, your 04 wrx tail lights really are a huge component of the car's personality. Whether you retain them stock for this "period correct" look or swap them out for something dark and moody, it's one of those mods that you'll notice all the time you walk up to the car in the parking lot.
The Subaru community has long been big on customization, and the blobeye WRX is definitely the perfect canvas for it. It's a car that's older enough to become a classic but modern enough in order to still look great with some updated tech. So, if your own rear end is definitely looking a little dated, take a look at several of the illumination options out right now there. It's a small change which makes the massive impact upon the entire vibe of your ride. Plus, it's only a fun way to spend a Saturday evening in the driveway.