Upgrading to 2017 BRZ headlights

[lanemccall_75]

I have the '16 BRZ Hyper Blue which unfortunately got in an accident and the body shop has agreed to go ahead and replace the front bumper, fog lights, and headlights with the new updated 2017 parts. Somebody in a FB group said it's not a direct swap and the shop is going to have to do some fairly extensive rewiring/re-pinning the harnesses and the DRL and auto leveling are much different than our headlights. Does anybody have input for this upgrade? I'm pretty sure the body shop already ordered the lights or they're about too and I want to make sure it's nothing too complicated. Please include any part numbers or information you have about this topic. Thank you.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by lanemccall_75

I have the '16 BRZ Hyper Blue which unfortunately got in an accident and the body shop has agreed to go ahead and replace the front bumper, fog lights, and headlights with the new updated 2017 parts. Somebody in a FB group said it's not a direct swap and the shop is going to have to do some fairly extensive rewiring/re-pinning the harnesses and the DRL and auto leveling are much different than our headlights. Does anybody have input for this upgrade? I'm pretty sure the body shop already ordered the lights or they're about too and I want to make sure it's nothing too complicated. Please include any part numbers or information you have about this topic. Thank you.

This is a full bumper swap but the running light info is the same. Doesn't get much into the headlights themselves. There is a bit of work involved but this explains it quite well.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110963

[NRXRaptor]

I don't think re pinning is going to be much of an issue. I have the Intec headlights on my 2016 and no repinning was done. Subispeed said they didn't have to do any repinning when they put them on their 2017 gt86. I asked. If there is repinning to be done it shouldn't be hard to do for someone experienced with it. I had the drl bar rewired to come on with the low beams and that took no more than 10 minutes for the guys to do (I can't into electricity). The only repinning I think they would have to do would be to splice the blue drl wire from the car into the drl wire on the 2017 headlights

I'm honestly not sure what all the fuss is about with the headlight leveling motor as I never messed with it on my OEM headlights. If the Intec ones have leveling motors I never bothered to get them to work, as there is a manual adjustment in the back. I imagine that there is a manual adjustment in the back of the OEM headlights as well

[Devin11498]

Why not just get the spec d tuning headlights? Im sure they are cheaper than the new 2017 headlights and the install is easy. The DRL on them is also very cool and nicer than the stock 2017 in my opinion. Check em out.

Spec D Headlights:
https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Projec...ing+headlights

[NRXRaptor]

Originally Posted by Devin11498

Why not just get the spec d tuning headlights? Im sure they are cheaper than the new 2017 headlights and the install is easy. The DRL on them is also very cool and nicer than the stock 2017 in my opinion. Check em out.

Spec D Headlights:
https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Projec...ing+headlights

The new 2017 lights are full LED though and are OEM quality. Also I think rip op

[Brink]

Originally Posted by Devin11498

Why not just get the spec d tuning headlights? Im sure they are cheaper than the new 2017 headlights and the install is easy. The DRL on them is also very cool and nicer than the stock 2017 in my opinion. Check em out.

Spec D Headlights:
https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Projec...ing+headlights

Looks like a cheap knockoff version of the '17 OEM lights. And that turn signal...wtf.

[Devin11498]

Originally Posted by Brink

Looks like a cheap knockoff version of the '17 OEM lights. And that turn signal...wtf.

Just a thought. I would look at some pictures of them on cars because they look a lot better than the stock 17 drl. I dont think they look like a nockoff what so ever.

Spec D:
https://www.google.com/search?biw=19...0VyPGegRwmE0M:

Stock 17'
https://www.google.com/search?biw=19...xyNl2VWGWA7vM:

[Aipex8]

I admit I haven't seen any of the after market lights in person, but from pictures the LEDs look small and not very bright. If you can take a picture in a completely dark room and see the individual LEDs, I can't imagine they'd be bright enough to be seen on a sunny day. See a pic of my OEM signal LEDs in a garage with all the lights on and it just looks like a bar of bright amber light (side markers converted to side repeaters in this pic with VLEDS high visibility amber bulbs):

[brzgabriel47]

Do you mind if I pm you for info on how you wired your Side markets to turn signals? I want to do this to my 17 brz.

Originally Posted by Aipex8

I admit I haven't seen any of the after market lights in person, but from pictures the LEDs look small and not very bright. If you can take a picture in a completely dark room and see the individual LEDs, I can't imagine they'd be bright enough to be seen on a sunny day. See a pic of my OEM signal LEDs in a garage with all the lights on and it just looks like a bar of bright amber light (side markers converted to side repeaters in this pic with VLEDS high visibility amber bulbs):

[Aipex8]

Originally Posted by brzgabriel47

Do you mind if I pm you for info on how you wired your Side markets to turn signals? I want to do this to my 17 brz.

Sure. In the meantime, here's the video I used to find which wires to tap (at about 5:03)

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03QY6Q3NIFQ[/ame]

[1GiantTurtle]

i've done the head light swap the re-pinning is not extensive the 17+ uses the same 8 pin connector u only need to re-pin the turn signal parking light and add the DRL

to the headlights on the BRZ the HI/low beams and ground u can leave alone.

Ive also swapped 17+ brz lights on to a base FRS now that was extensive

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by 1GiantTurtle

i've done the head light swap the re-pinning is not extensive the 17+ uses the same 8 pin connector u only need to re-pin the turn signal parking light and add the DRL

to the headlights on the BRZ the HI/low beams and ground u can leave alone.

Ive also swapped 17+ brz lights on to a base FRS now that was extensive

How did the people like their swaps?

I’ve heard debates on whether the tech for entry level LED headlights is even there yet, and if HID is still the superior headlight technology.

[NRXRaptor]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

How did the people like their swaps?

I’ve heard debates on whether the tech for entry level LED headlights is even there yet, and if HID is still the superior headlight technology.

The intecs on my car are full LED and I personally prefer the bixenons on the 2016 BRZ for practicality. The intecs have a bitchin' audi style drl bar and sequential indicators, so trade offs. If the low beams take a crap I'll replace them with bixenons. I say take a test drive at dusk if you can because it's really personal preference

[1GiantTurtle]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

How did the people like their swaps?

I’ve heard debates on whether the tech for entry level LED headlights is even there yet, and if HID is still the superior headlight technology.

the people i did them for kinda care more fore the look than the output, "doing it for the gram" prob why people would put sped Ds on their cars with a tiny h1 hallogen

The Leds are great no noise and instant light, i do feel like the leds do glare a bit during poor weather conditions (rain/wet floor)