What is the low beam headlight bulb size for a 1981 Subaru Brat?

The 1981 Subaru Brat uses a 6052 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

What is the high beam headlight bulb size for a 1981 Subaru Brat?

The high beam bulb size for the 1981 Subaru Brat is 6052 LED.

Why are my 1981 Subaru Brat headlights dim?

Dim headlights on a 1981 Subaru Brat can be caused by aging halogen bulbs, which lose brightness over time, or oxidation (cloudiness) on the plastic headlight lenses. Upgrading to a 6052 LED LED conversion kit can provide a significantly brighter and whiter light output.

Which bulb fits the 1981 Subaru Brat fog light?

The 1981 Subaru Brat uses a LED Fog Light bulb for the fog light position.

Is the 1981 Subaru Brat single or dual beam?

The 1981 Subaru Brat uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Can I install LED bulbs on my 1981 Subaru Brat?

Yes, the 1981 Subaru Brat comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 6052 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Does the 1981 Subaru Brat have fog lights?

Yes, the 1981 Subaru Brat takes a LED Fog Light bulb for the fog light position.

Did the 1981 Subaru Brat change headlight bulb sizes from the previous year?

No — the 1981 Subaru Brat uses the same bulb sizes as the 1980 model. This configuration has been consistent across the 1980–1981 generation.

Is the 1981 Subaru Brat the first or last year to use 6052 LED bulbs?

The 1981 Subaru Brat is the last year in the 1980–1981 generation to use the 6052 LED bulb for the low beam headlight.

How do I change the headlight on a 1981 Subaru Brat?

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old 6052 LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

Are LED headlights legal for a 1981 Subaru Brat?

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved 6052 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

How much does it cost to replace 1981 Subaru Brat headlights?

A pair of halogen 6052 LED bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

What is the difference between halogen and LED for a 1981 Subaru Brat?

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the 6052 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

The 1981 Subaru Brat is the last model year to use this bulb configuration (1980–1981).

Fitment Guaranteed for 1981 Subaru Brat

What Size Bulbs Does a 1981 Subaru Brat Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Easy (Plug and Play)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 1981 Subaru Brat Have?

The 1981 Subaru Brat utilizes a refined lighting configuration featuring 11 distinct bulb positions. It features an extensive lighting system powered by a halogen-based setup where a single 6052 LED dual-filament bulb handles both low and high beam duties within the same reflector. This model belongs to the mid years of the Brat's 1978-1987 production span.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1981 Subaru Brat?

Upgrading to LED is one of the most effective ways to modernize your Subaru's appearance and safety profile. Since your Brat uses a single 6052 LED bulb for both high and low beams, ensure your chosen LED kit is "dual-beam" compatible. This allows the LED circuitry to mimic the two-filament design of the original halogen bulb. Don't forget the LED Fog Light fog lights; switching these to LED can dramatically improve your visibility in adverse weather.

1981 Subaru Brat Bulb Size Chart

Position	Bulb Size	Shop
Low Beam	6052 LED	Buy 6052 LED →
High Beam	6052 LED	Buy 6052 LED →
Fog Light	LED Fog Light	Buy LED Fog Light →
Brake Light	N/A	Buy N/A →
Side Marker	194 LED	Buy 194 LED →
Turn Signal Front	1157 LED	Buy 1157 LED →
Turn Signal Rear	1156 LED	Buy 1156 LED →
Reverse Light	1156	Buy 1156 →
Dome Light	57	Buy 57 →
License Plate	67	Buy 67 →
Parking Light	1157	Buy 1157 →
Trunk Light	LED Light	Buy LED Light →

How do the 1981 Subaru Brat's bulbs compare to other years?

The 1981 Subaru Brat uses the same bulbs as the 1980 model.

The 1982 model switched to a different bulb configuration.

This bulb configuration covers the 1980–1981 model years. ← 1980 1982 →

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Other Brat Years

1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1980 1979 1978

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