This mod was donated by schnell (schnell_schnell@hotmail.com) and was performed on his TS Wagon.... :)


Since my TS Wagon didn't have a trunk light, I decided to look into putting one in myself. I couldn't belive that it wasn't even a dealer option. I went to the local dealer and asked for a 02 OBS trunk light part. (Can't rememer the part #, but he looked it up on the computer). I was told that there would be no connector for the power, but I guessed (correctly) that due to economies of scale,these Imprezas would have common components. So here are the steps I took to install the light. One last thing, as you will see in my installation, I had to drill 2 holes through the back of the light assembly (you can't see it when it is mounted) and screw it into the trunk lining. I would assume that the OBS has some sort of mounting bracket available, perhaps it is worth looking into if it is another part - it would make things easier. OK, lets get to it.



1. Remove the plastic cover at the top back of the cargo area. There are two plastic screws, one on each side. It is also held on with little friction clips under the top of the plastic, so lift it straight up. It is sort of tricky to remove so have patience and look at what it is caught on before pulling on it.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_01.jpg

2. The covers of the Child Tether Anchors have to be removed. They are plastic and have clips, just pull up and towards the seats, but don't force it!

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_02.jpg

3. Finally, here is the light. Pretty, isn't it.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_03.jpg

4. Here you can see where I drilled the two holes. I had to do this to screw the light in to the trunk liner. There might be another part that would allow a cleaner installation - but this is what I did. I found 2 short screws that had no point whatsoever, leftover from Ikea I think. Since there was no point on them I had to pre-drill the light and the liner. You could use pointed screws, but I was nervous about what they might damage back there (wires, bodywork etc.) I mounted the light with the switch closest to the hatch, but it could go either way I suppose.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_04.jpg

5. The next 2 things to remove are the tonneau cover latch, and the small plastic clips holding the liner to the body. I only removed parts on the passenger side. When all that is removed there is enough play in the liner to reach your hand in there. There is a lot of wires and sound deadening stuff along with lots of molded connectors. Feel around for the correct one - there is nothing plugged into it, and it is the correct shape for the light adapter to plug into. Be prepared for some scratches, since it is quite buried in there - it took me 10 minutes to find it. The whole time the words of the service tech ringing in my head 'there is no connector in the TS'. But I hung in there and lucky I did, because I found it.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_05.jpg

6. I marked the outline that I wanted to cut on the trunk liner, in the flat space where the light was supposed to go. If you are using my mounting method, you need to cut the hole to the dimensions of the protruded part on the back of the assembly. This allowed me to drill two holes into the liner that lined up with the two holes I drilled in the light and screw it in. Be careful, since you want the light centered, and there isn't much room for the screws where I drilled the holes.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_06.jpg

7. After marking the outline of the hole with marker, I taped it so it was easier to see while I was using the dremel tool.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_07.jpg

8. What a beautiful hole, notice it isn't the full size of the mounting area, and not centered. If you put the light assembly up to the liner you will see how it fits. Some advice would before cutting would be to reach your hand behind the liner and make sure nothing is behind the spot where you are cutting. You don't want to cut a wire or something.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_08.jpg

9. Now make sure it works before screwing everything together and closing it all up. Remember to close the trunk to make sure it turns off. Don't lock your keys in there!

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_09.jpg

10. The arrows point to the screw holes that I pre-drilled. Careful when drilling not to drill right through to the body panel. Now screw in your screws and...

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_10.jpg

11. Voila! The way it should've been.

http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/TStli_11.jpg

Consider adding this to the Wagon Trunk Light mod:
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=268


I just did this mod on my TS and found schnell's writeup extremely helpful and very well done. Just wanted to add a couple of things from my experience:

A) I found it helpful to remove the styrofoam "floor" section of the cargo area next to the panel that you're working on. This allows the panel to be pulled out farther and helps in locating the connector.

B) The connector on mine was exactly where it should be, within 2 inches of the indentation on the panel where the light is mounted. It is taped to a wire bundle, just cut the tape to free up some slack.

C) I don't have a Dremel, so I used a razor knife to make the hole. That worked fine for me, but be careful obviously.

D) *This is where I screwed up and wasted some time, just when I thought I was almost done*. When you put the plastic cover shown in Photo 1 back, put the "V" shaped white plastic clips on the cover's tabs BEFORE you push it back into place. I didn't ( I left them in their slots ) and accidentally pushed a clip through, then spent 30 minutes cursing and fishing to get it back out of a little hole with a spring loaded small parts grabber. This was the only problem I had.

If my pictures of the clips turn out I will post these. Sorry, don't have a digital camera yet, but the original photos pretty much show you everything you need to know. Thanks, Schnell, for a well written and useful mod.

Steve

[edit]: And, thanks to all for a well written and useful mod SITE!

After completing the trunk light mod for my TS Wagon, without actually screwing it in, but cutting a hole just big enough to pressure fit the light in place. I decided to see if I could find the bracket that was mentioned.

Here are the part numbers:

trunk light: 784671050
trunk light bracket: 84927FA050

Purchasing both should cost you less then $30. However, neither parts came with the two screws required.

I've done my 2007 Impreza 2.5i Wagon trunk light add-on this week-end and you may add my pictures and comments to the original thread here:
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268

Required parts I've used:
-Luggage Romm Light assembly (come with bulb) - P/N: 84671FE000
-Back light metal frame - P/N: 84927FA050
-2 x tapping metal screws OEM - P/N: 045104103
-Sharp cutting knife
-ScoobyMods printout

http://images22.fotki.com/v724/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight1-vi.jpg


Follow schnell instructions to access the wire. My part add the metal back plate installation to the factory linning.

The metal plate goes UNDER the black lining but put it in front so you can make your cut easier. You need to do 2 inserts for each end tab of the metal plate and a big hole for the lamp assembly to pass throught. See the following pictures:
http://images24.fotki.com/v853/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight2-vi.jpg
http://images115.fotki.com/v684/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight3-vi.jpg
http://images24.fotki.com/v852/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight4-vi.jpg

Then, find and pass the wire in the hole and do some testing to be sure the lamp work.
http://images8.fotki.com/v120/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight4a-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v588/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight4b-vi.jpg
N.B. Again, the metal plate goes UNDER the lining, use it as a guide to make the cut at the good place


Finally, attach the metal plate UNDER the lining and insert it in your cut. You might want to bend the large one a little so it be easier to insert. Insert the other little-end and bend it so it will "fix" the bracket.

Then, cut your starting big hole so you will make a big rectangle all around the metal and so the lamp assembly will sit into it. It should look like this once done:
http://images23.fotki.com/v806/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight5-vi.jpg

Then, plug the lamp to the factory harmess like this:
http://images21.fotki.com/v631/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight6-vi.jpg

Retract the wire loop under the lining and fit the lamp assembly in place. But sure it sit well and make some extra cutting if required. You should see the 2 screw hole of the plate in contact with the lamp assembly. Finally, screw the lamp assembly like this:
http://images21.fotki.com/v760/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight7-vi.jpg

Clip the lamp cover over the assembly:
http://images22.fotki.com/v757/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight8-vi.jpg

Et voilà!
http://images22.fotki.com/v762/photos/5/56153/4796100/0720070507Trunklight9-vi.jpg

If you have any questions, just ask :)

For the one who have an Impreza Wagon and specially the one who have a tinted backglass, I'm sure you did noticed lot of red light reflection inside the car when hitting the brakes during night.

Well, here's the fix :)

Parts required:
-1 ft of black electrical tape
-Scissors (optionnal)

Time: 5 minutes


Neitherless to said, a picture worth a thousand words!

http://images112.fotki.com/v587/photos/5/56153/4796100/insidereflectionmaskedwithtape-vi.jpg

Ghetto but functionnal ;)

And don't worry about the heater, it hold (the tinted film is between anyway).