busdriver Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 After reading some threads about the "third eye" headlight on older soobs...I'm curious. What was that actually intended for? I've heard it was a passing light, and a fog/driving light. I think they're kinda cool and have a certain James Bondish thing going on. I wish mine had one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 actually im with you. I don't know much about them either. I know that they were on the early EA-81 cars but not much else. Anyone want to fill both of us in on these interesting inventions from the past? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A DOG Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I use it for driving through deer territory. The light shines really far down the road so you can see deer. Maybe it was called a passsing light because when you pass someone you need to see far down the road for oncoming traffic. Either way its a way cool suby thang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joostvdw Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I use it for driving through deer territory. The light shines really far down the road so you can see deer. Maybe it was called a passsing light because when you pass someone you need to see far down the road for oncoming traffic. Either way its a way cool suby thang. lol a passing light is used for signalling to other cars (for whatever reason) that's why on some cars it is called, not a passing light, but a signalling light guess the guys at subaru were bored again by there own body designs (no offence ) and just thought: "what the heck, lets place it in the middle of the grill, BEHIND the emblem" or something Joost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanky_pete Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 I don't know much about them, but I'd love to find a wiring diagram for mine so I can set it up correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busdriver Posted December 2, 2005 Author Share Posted December 2, 2005 Sounds like a real Scooby Doo mystery I don't know much about them, but I'd love to find a wiring diagram for mine so I can set it up correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 There are wiring diagrams out there on the board. The lamp is listed as a "Center Lamp" on the actual switch that turns it on. 1982 was the last year it was offered. The purpose was for an aid to the bright lights or high beams. They have the thing wired to only come on when the high beams are on and only if the center lamp switch is turned on. As soon as you flip off the brights, the center lamp door closes and the light goes off. You can install the cyclops light on any early to mid 80's car by swapping the center section of the grill with an 82. Glenn, 82 SubaruHummer--used to have a center lamp. 84 GL--no center lamp yet...? 01 Forester--hummm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Someone had a real good diagram of the wiring fort he 3rd eye, and relay part numbers that you could use to get all the pieces from Radio Shack. It was on the USRM, but the USRM has been down for a while. -Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanky_pete Posted December 2, 2005 Share Posted December 2, 2005 Someone had a real good diagram of the wiring fort he 3rd eye, and relay part numbers that you could use to get all the pieces from Radio Shack. It was on the USRM, but the USRM has been down for a while. -Brian Is this it? http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/USRM2/3rdEye/using_center_light_w.htm That's exactly what I needed. :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted December 3, 2005 Share Posted December 3, 2005 You cant use the 82 grill unless you have the 2 headlight front end with the square headlights. If you have an 83/84+ quad headlamp take your existing grill and cut out the emblem so that the grill has room for the door to fit. Ive had 5 of these now, including one in my Vanagon...im sure a first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugite Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 After reading some threads about the "third eye" headlight on older soobs...I'm curious. What was that actually intended for? I've heard it was a passing light, and a fog/driving light. I think they're kinda cool and have a certain James Bondish thing going on. I wish mine had one. on my 1980 gl the button on the dash says passing light.I am missing the door but it does operate. I have a complete set up for a different year but the door is smaller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3eyedwagon Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 The first design 3rd eyes had a larger, more elaborate door. It had quite a bit of chrome on it and some would consider it a little gaudy. I think they look kinda neat, retro 60sish. The 82 models have a smaller door that blends into the grille really well. Most people dont even notice its there until its turned on. The button is located on the dash, down low by the left knee. I have seen "Center Lamp", "Passing Lamp" and (as mine says) "Offroad Lamp" on the button, which lights up a nice blue when turned on. If installing/purchasing one, be careful. The center lamp doors are powered two ways; Electric, or Vaccuum. Electric is a relatively simple mechanism. However, the Vaccuum operated doors require; Vaccuum! Kinda a pain in the @$$ to set up. They do look cool if you just cut a NICE hole in a quad lamp grille though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 Is this it? http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/USRM2/3rdEye/using_center_light_w.htm That's exactly what I needed. :cool: Yep, that'll work. Somewhere around here, I have the wiring diagram drawn out. I'll have to look for it, and see if I can get it on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbrat Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 this is from the 80's Subarus "Helpful Diagrams" page... uses the DPDT switch identified in the link further up in this thread.... http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/80s/diagrams/centerlamp-wire.jpg wiring it up this way makes it always available, and much easier than tying into existing circuitry... also, the 80-81 centerlamps would come on with highs or lows. only 82 were tied to highs only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 this is from the 80's Subarus "Helpful Diagrams" page...uses the DPDT switch identified in the link further up in this thread.... http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/80s/diagrams/centerlamp-wire.jpg wiring it up this way makes it always available, and much easier than tying into existing circuitry... also, the 80-81 centerlamps would come on with highs or lows. only 82 were tied to highs only. Thanks Mic.. That's the one I was talking about. Didn't know it was still on here, thought it went the way of the lost Repair Manual stuff. Figures mine would be tied to the hi-beams only, (I didn't know that the earlier ones were tied to both)... Maybe I'll just run new wires to the control relay (instead of wiring in new DPDT switch) and use the stock switch. Hmmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86 BRAT Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 The center light is for off road use to fill in that dark space between the head lampswhen the high beams are on. The wiring diagram is good but radio shack no longer sells the ten amp switch.just a differant 3 amp dpdt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 I think they must have realized in '82 that a subaru wasn't likely to be able to "pass" a whole lot of other vehicles effectively, and changed the sticker on the button to read "center lamp" - 80/81 read "passing lamp". I have never seen "offroad lamp" - that's a new one to me. Is it geniune? I have one in the garage I may install on my wagon at some point - I have the control box, and the switch for it too... but then I have been collecting parts for what amount to years now. I have actually forgotton some of the interesting things burried in my garage. Maybe some of it will surface one day. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunslinger Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 veronica has the "eye". (82 wagon) button on the dash says "center lamp". and it works with the low beams too. i checked under the dash and theres no "fancy" wiring to it so i would say that the low beam setup is factory. ive also got three more of the light/motor/bracket/wiring setups in the garage that ive been collecting over the years. the hatch is gonna get one before long. just need the quad headlights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slopchopy1 Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I'm working on installing my third eye this weekend. I'm not sure if mine is workingf on vaccum, or what. There is a small hose that could be a vaccum line, but it looks more like a fish aquariun tube. If I do need to hook it up to the vaccum system, how do I do that? Also, I do have a "Center Lamp" switch, How do I use it. The instructions are only for the radio shack switch. I finally got the grill cut out to fit. You gotta love a dremmel tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86 BRAT Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 I was told that the eye was for off roading on the 4x4 models and passing on the front wheel models.As for off road it fills in those dark areas just in front of the car so you can see what your about to hit:banana: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiftedHatchSubie Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I scored a 3rd eye at the junk yard last time I was there that was complete and minus the linkage. I was looking for an undamaged speaker cover on the drivers side and there is was on the passenger side on the floor...the best part is I know a guy that works there and get the stuff I get for free or super cheap...got everything I got that day for free...WoooHooo!! Now I just need to cut out the hole in my grill for the light. Lucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 bumping the dead. I am going to tackle mine this weekend, but would like some wiring info as the one Mick posted is I would rather just hook it up to my Hella relay and have it separate from the factory wiring. I mean it is a 100 watt light, so a relay would be nice for it. anybody have wiring info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiffy Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 if you go to the old USRM from the Subarus of the 80s link at the top here then there are a couple links: Using Center Lamp without stock relay CenterLamp Install without stock relay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenley Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I've heard the door will open and close in an infinite loop unless the factory relay is used. Anybody ever experienced this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooparu Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I was told that the eye was for off roading on the 4x4 models and passing on the front wheel models.As for off road it fills in those dark areas just in front of the car so you can see what your about to hit:banana: My 1982 4X4 Hatch came with one and the button says "Center Lamp" Also I have seen it with the 4 light set-up. I'm not sure if it's factory or not, but it looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.