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The Z06 clear tail light assemblies are now available aftermarket in this forum and at West Coast Corvettes. West Coast claims a 30 minute installation. Has anyone on this forum installed a set of these genuine GM Z06 clear tail light assemblies? A photo tutorial would be aweome!
There is absolutely no way it can be done in 1/2 an hour, more like 1/2 a day. This is a big job and the rear bumper cover needs to come off. It took three guys from a Corvette Specialist in San Diego about 4 hours to do it right and make sure the cover was not damaged coming off or on.
Higgs, you are a senior member who has give me hope that putting in the clear lenses will not cost a small fortune in labor at my Chevy house! Did you have to remove the rear facia? I would so appreciate details about how you went about the removal and replacement of the C7 tail light assemblies.
If you scroll down, there are instructions for removing the upper and lower fascias. I personally haven't done it, I looked at the front fascia removal and it didn't look terribly difficult. Good luck!
You have to remove the rear fascia to replace them. I've done that on mine to replace the diffuser. I don't believe it can be done in less than an hour. Dealer will charge $100 or so per labor hour, but not based on actual time it takes. If their system says it takes 2 hours to R&R the tail lights that's what they'll charge you. It's called flat rate, which is how most shops work.
Higgs, you are a senior member who has give me hope that putting in the clear lenses will not cost a small fortune in labor at my Chevy house! Did you have to remove the rear facia? I would so appreciate details about how you went about the removal and replacement of the C7 tail light assemblies.
yes you have to remove the fascia but it's very easy work. I used the posted instructions. read through it a couple times then go do it!
not really....just take out all the screws and pull the bumper off (lots of clips). Also a good idea to pop out the rear sidemarkers before you break their tabs. i just laid some towels under the rear area and set it down on them, don't think I unplugged or detached everything, just enough to pull the lights out. set up your new lights in the hatch the right way so you can R&R the assemblies quickly and easily. there are some elec plugs you need to disconnect to get the bumper off far enough.
I think I'll check with my dealership to see what they would charge to remove and then re-install the rear fascia. If I'm ok with that number then I'm going to ask if they will let me come and R&R the tail lights myself in between the fascia removal and reinstallation. I think I can handle tail light R&R work and I would really prefer that a pro do the fascia work. I'm sure they have a guy who has done it more than once for Z51 style spoiler installs.
I think I'll check with my dealership to see what they would charge to remove and then re-install the rear fascia. If I'm ok with that number then I'm going to ask if they will let me come and R&R the tail lights myself in between the fascia removal and reinstallation. I think I can handle tail light R&R work and I would really prefer that a pro do the fascia work. I'm sure they have a guy who has done it more than once for Z51 style spoiler installs.
that might be pointless. once the fascia is pulled you will be saving yourself $5.50 based on a labor rate of $110/hr by doing the lights yourself.
I put mine in a hour taking my time and going slow. Biggest thing I think is just trying not mark or scratch anything up. A second person helps when you pull bumper off. Now if it was a customers car I was doing it on( since I work at a GM dealership ) I might move quicker when replacing them. But still being careful of course.
09-03-2015, 01:31 PM
Installing clear tail lights?
