94 Legacy Brighton "facelift" instrument dimmers?

G'Day all. I've recently upgraded from my old Justy (which I still have!). In fact my wife has also got a Justy! We've owned both of them for more than

8 years. However my car is an import from Japan and has no owners manual. Does anyone know if this model has a dashboard dimmer? I haven't found it yet! Also has anyone experience of changing over the radio/tape unit? I have to change mine as it has the weird Japanese FM band of 76 to 92 MHz instead of the usual 88 to 108 MHz. I'll probably put a radio/CD unit in while I'm at it I guess. Otherwise I'm very pleased with the car even though it's done 130,000 Km, no oil being used reasonable milage for a big 2 litre car and heaps of room for all my grandkids!!! All for about $3,000 US. Guess I'm becoming a Subaru fan just like I used to be a Peugeot owner for many years. Regards Cliff Wright.
Reply to
Cliff Wright
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change mine as

no oil being used

I'm not sure, but I think that for Japan, the '94 Legacy was the '95 Legacy here in the US. That would mean you have a 2nd generation Legacy, as opposed to a 1st generation. That also might be what you mean by "facelift". Even if it is the older model, it might be similar enough to the newer one that my statements are still valid. :)

The dimmer switch should be on the turn signal/headlight stalk. It's a ring that rotates around. I know, I thought it was a strange place at first too, and for the first year or so I bumped it an awful lot, but then again it DOES seem more logical to have the headlights and dimmer grouped with the turn signal and high beams, rather than on the dash somewhere.

The radio is also simple to change, in fact it's the easiest radio installation I've ever done. Getting back there is pretty simple, it helps to take the cover off the shift lever, which requires that you remove the cover over the parking brake lever, which is secured by two screws under the center console bin lid. After that the panels just pop off, although you may need to shift the car into neutral to get the shifter cover off. Then you just remove the two screws from the ashtray support bracket, the two screws from the cup holder, and the radio bezel should just fall off after that.

Once back there you'll find the radio is mounted in a metal rack. Pull the rack out and remove the radio, replace with your new unit, and repeat in reverse!

If you do replace the stereo, make sure to pick up a wire harness adapter instead of trying to cut and tap into the factory wiring instead. That's a huge hassle and you'll be glad you used the adapter if your stereo ever stops working and you need to replace it. Although you won't likely be able to find a Subaru specific adapter at a cheap place like Wal-Mart, most pro shops will carry it and there's always crutchfield.com if you don't mind waiting for a bit.

While you are at it, I'd suggest replacing the factory speakers as well. By now they probably don't sound the greatest anyway, three of the four in my '95 Outback were toast when I got the car.

-Matt

Reply to
Hallraker

Reply to
Cliff Wright

in the driver's door

might be able to get

are a lot of Legacy's

home and found myself

tow a light trailer and

I live out in the country now as well, and the Subaru is more of a requirement at this point than a preference. :)

I have a mild electronics background myself, just enough to be dangerous. ;)

-Matt

Reply to
Hallraker

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