Rambo Goes Down Under

First mod: The factory iPod interface kit!

Starting in 2007, the Legacy stereo (sourced from Clarion) was available with XM Radio. Instead of that, you could substitute iPod connectivity using the same controls (but removing the XM functionality). The kit contained a small interface box, all required hardware, some patch cabling, and instructions.

Removing a Legacy/Outback stereo isn't as easy as the Impreza/Forester. You have to remove the faux wood trimming, the shifter trim, and a ton of little clips. It sucks:


Further complicating things, the automatic climate controls and stereo are melded onto the same circuit boards:


This makes an aftermarket stereo setup pretty much impossible without tremendous expense. Even with the pricy JDM panel swap, the trim colors don't match, and the DIN unit looks very out of place compared to the rest of the dash. I don't want to hear any whining from WRX owners about stereo swaps, lol. You have it easy.

Anyway, the ipod kit is pretty easy to install: just remove the stereo, bolt in the interface box, plug in the cabling, run the ipod cable into the armrest cubby, and that's it. Unfortunately, the controls aren't intuitive at all. Playlists aren't organized the same way as the ipod, navigation is pretty tricky, and the whole business is just way more difficult that it needs to be. Thankfully, I usually only have one playlist for the car, so once I'm in that, it's easy enough to just let that play. On the plus side, the steering wheel buttons can control the ipod too, which is pretty impressive for a 2007 factory deck.

All Legacy's in 2007 had six speakers and the same Clarion deck, regardless of trim level. While better than the factory Impreza sound system by a long shot, it's not great. Since an aftermarket deck isn't practical, I'll be looking at post-HU audio processors like ****'s JBL MS-8. I'm also looking for a subwoofer system, but might end up with a custom trunk installation similar to what Audio Integrations offers for Imprezas. The Outback has two large cubbies on each side of the trunk perfect for a sub install, but it will require custom fabrication.

tirerob said:

wait...looking closer it playes mp3? thats alotta music on one cheap cd, let alone 6 if its a changer. cool enough! ahh what the heck. just money right lol

Click to expand...

Yes, It has AM/FM, a 6-CD changer, an AUX input, and now full iPod control; all from the factory deck. The CD changer isn't worth much to me, but hey, it's there. While it plays burned CDs just fine, the song information won't display (it just says Track 1, 2, etc). The iPod control of course shows the song/album/artist/playlist/etc names.


As far as relocating the HVAC controls on a bugeye, sure, that would be fairly easy as all the dials and buttons are either potentiometers with electrical leads out, or cable actuators. The vent dial for example just pulls a bicycle brake type cable to swing the various ductwork dampers into each setting. As long as you have enough slack in the cables and wiring, it doesn't really matter where the control box is.

I don't think i can separate out mine since the HVAC control ports are right in line with the audio output ports, meaning they share circuit boards. That level of hacking isn't worth my time when I could get a sound processor and be done with it.

The next item on the list is window tint. My friend is the in-house detailer for the local Ferrari dealer, and referred me to where they send all their exotics for tint work.

Updates!
*Got the 60k mile service done. $1,100 later eek3, and I had all new fluids errywhere, new plugs (which are even more a of PITA to do than the 4cyl cars), a new driver's front axle, my derailed moonroof fixed, and a bunch of other general mainteance tasks done. I'm sure I could have saved money doing it all myself, but I had a lot of other things to do, and the dealer gave me a free XV Crosstrek for the weekend, so I just let them handle it.

*Peeled off the red plastidip from the bugeye's winter steelies and installed them on the Outback. The 16" wheels make a huge wheel gap, but it's not as noticeable with the matte black steelies. Set a new personal record with a 20 minute wheel swap using just a floor jack.



*Replaced the cracked leather e-brake boot with an alacantara one. The color isn't as close of a match as I'd hoped for, so I'm going to get a fabric dye and darken it several shades. The alacantara is much more flexible though, and should never crack.



*Ordered some Osram Rallye H7 headlight bulbs: Osram Rallye 64217 65w Ultra High Output H7 Special-Service Bulb
From my research, these are supposed to be the best H7 bulb on the market, and will replace my adequate, but not outstanding factory low beams. Hopefully these will tide me over until I do a full TRS retrofit. I was tempted to pick up a pair of HIR bulbs for the high beams, but I decided to hold off for now.

*I'll be removing the 1-1/4" hitch receiver that came with the car when I bought it. The small hitch isn't really useful for anything but a bike rack, and I have roof-mounted bike racks, so I don't have any need for it. I'll be replacing it with a proper 2" receiver and trailer wiring (it doesn't have any wiring right now). I don't intend on towing more than 1500lbs at most, which is well within the 3500lb tow capacity.

I continue to be very pleased with the Outback. With the snow tires on, it has grip for days, regardless of terrain, and the 5-level heated seats have been useful on the 20 degree commutes to work. The ride is very smooth, so much so that my wife's Honda now feels downright primitive by comparison.

In stock mode, the transmission can be a bit dim-witted, but click it over to sport mode, and that disappears. If the 5eat ever gives out, I'll probably try to find the six-speed manual from a Spec B, or a JDM-sourced unit (which was offered on the Australian 3.0R Outbacks, but not over here), but everything I've read indicates the 5eat is quite stout and very reliable, as is the 3.0R engine itself.