Keep the Back Up Lights?
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 56
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From: Kelowna BC
Keep the Back Up Lights?
So, I've got a 65 with badly pitted tail lights. It has backup lights, but unfortunately there is no backup switch gear at all. It has all been removed from the transmission. Fortunately Volunteer Vette's catalog has a good picture of what is supposed to look like. I was trying to figure out where it even fit on the car!
If I replaced the bracket, switch, guard, and rod, I'm not sure where the electrical connection is supposed to be connected. I'm guessing somewhere up near the windshield wiper motor?
Anyway, if I replace the tail lights, should I skip the backup lights completely and just get a set of 4 red tail lights? I would have to make some minor mods to the tail light wiring, to connect the extra tail lights. My guess is the fuse would handle the extra load of two more tail lights?
Thanks for your opinion.
Darcy
If I replaced the bracket, switch, guard, and rod, I'm not sure where the electrical connection is supposed to be connected. I'm guessing somewhere up near the windshield wiper motor?
Anyway, if I replace the tail lights, should I skip the backup lights completely and just get a set of 4 red tail lights? I would have to make some minor mods to the tail light wiring, to connect the extra tail lights. My guess is the fuse would handle the extra load of two more tail lights?
Thanks for your opinion.
Darcy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
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From: Westport CT
So, I've got a 65 with badly pitted tail lights. It has backup lights, but unfortunately there is no backup switch gear at all. It has all been removed from the transmission. Fortunately Volunteer Vette's catalog has a good picture of what is supposed to look like. I was trying to figure out where it even fit on the car!
If I replaced the bracket, switch, guard, and rod, I'm not sure where the electrical connection is supposed to be connected. I'm guessing somewhere up near the windshield wiper motor?
Anyway, if I replace the tail lights, should I skip the backup lights completely and just get a set of 4 red tail lights? I would have to make some minor mods to the tail light wiring, to connect the extra tail lights. My guess is the fuse would handle the extra load of two more tail lights?
Thanks for your opinion.
Darcy
If I replaced the bracket, switch, guard, and rod, I'm not sure where the electrical connection is supposed to be connected. I'm guessing somewhere up near the windshield wiper motor?
Anyway, if I replace the tail lights, should I skip the backup lights completely and just get a set of 4 red tail lights? I would have to make some minor mods to the tail light wiring, to connect the extra tail lights. My guess is the fuse would handle the extra load of two more tail lights?
Thanks for your opinion.
Darcy
ME, I would try to keep them and return them to operation if that's how the car came equipped originally (with the Comfort and Convenience Group - by the way, do you have a dimming day/night rear view mirror?)
If these are not found in your car's wiring harness then either it was replaced with a non-BU harness (entirely possible, as I got one by accident from Lectric Limited) or the white lenses were added in place of brake light lenses for some reason. I long ago realized that anything is possible with 50 years of Bubba's handiwork.
Last edited by ctjackster; Sep 17, 2013 at 03:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
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From: Del Boca Vista FL
I don't believe GM went to a centered backup lamp in 67 just for a change. They realized that four stop/tail lamps show better than two from the rear. Especially if you lose one of the stop/tail lamps.
If you decide to go with four reds and your harness is designated for only two you will need to connect the two wires currently existing to your added two filament sockets. Not a big deal.
If you decide to go with four reds and your harness is designated for only two you will need to connect the two wires currently existing to your added two filament sockets. Not a big deal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,181
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From: Kannapolis NC
If it's wired originally, there will be a pink and a green wire in a two pin connector just below the master cylinder/windshield wiper motor area that the backup sw wiring plugs in to.
The only real advantage to having back up lamps in my opinion is so the person behind you knows you're backing up. I like having them, but in a coupe, they don't help you back up much. If you drive much at night, four tail lamps and maybe even four brake lamps with the right socket might be more helpful. It's kind of a choice you have to make.
The only real advantage to having back up lamps in my opinion is so the person behind you knows you're backing up. I like having them, but in a coupe, they don't help you back up much. If you drive much at night, four tail lamps and maybe even four brake lamps with the right socket might be more helpful. It's kind of a choice you have to make.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
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From: Westport CT
What about air bags? (Don't laugh, I truly believe my father ended his habit of always having a unique classic car in his stable because he wants to be surrounded by airbags now.)
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Joined: Jul 2005
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I find that six red taillights are bright enough with the brake applied for any low-speed reverse maneuvering after dark. But since you've got the back-up light wiring, I'd recommend going red/white/red on each side for the best of both worlds.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Del Boca Vista FL
Yes and they eventually required a single centered high-mounted brake light too in '86 for even more safety - although you aren't suggesting that, are you? What about air bags? (Don't laugh, I truly believe my father ended his habit of always having a unique classic car in his stable because he wants to be surrounded by airbags now.)
What about air bags? (Don't laugh, I truly believe my father ended his habit of always having a unique classic car in his stable because he wants to be surrounded by airbags now.)Last edited by BADBIRDCAGE; Sep 17, 2013 at 09:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
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From: Westport CT
seriously, before getting all preachy on what Darcy should run in his tail lights, I'd sugest it might be wise to inquire whether he expects to be driving the car very often at night, in traffic situations.
And yeah, I do have some experience with running a 65 with the Z01 C&CG option. MANY of us do (in fact, 15,397 drivers did in 65 alone), and it isn't some kind of high-risk situation. Unless you live in South Florida, then every time you venture out onto the roads with the living dead it's a high risk situation
Last edited by ctjackster; Sep 18, 2013 at 08:14 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Del Boca Vista FL
no, but I have successfuly navigated your last message
seriosuly, before getting all preachy on what Darcy should run in her tail lights, I'd sugest it might be wise to inquire whether she expects to be driving the car very often at night, in traffic situations.
And yeah, I do have some experience with running a 65 with the Z01 C&CG option. MANY of us do (in fact, 15,397 drivers did in 65 alone), and it isn't some kind of high-risk situation. Unless you live in South Florida, then every time you venture out onto the roads with the living dead it's a high risk situation
seriosuly, before getting all preachy on what Darcy should run in her tail lights, I'd sugest it might be wise to inquire whether she expects to be driving the car very often at night, in traffic situations.
And yeah, I do have some experience with running a 65 with the Z01 C&CG option. MANY of us do (in fact, 15,397 drivers did in 65 alone), and it isn't some kind of high-risk situation. Unless you live in South Florida, then every time you venture out onto the roads with the living dead it's a high risk situation
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,612
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From: Australia
I installed all new RED stop, tail and turn assemblies in my 66 because I wanted to reduce the chance of some moron hitting me !
I also think it looks better (IMO) it's easily changed back with just a little wiring and clear lenses put back in.
You just need to solder in new pigtails (available new) and tape up the green wire in the rear harness.
Reverse lights were an option in 65, so no one can tell you it's "incorrect"
I also think it looks better (IMO) it's easily changed back with just a little wiring and clear lenses put back in.
You just need to solder in new pigtails (available new) and tape up the green wire in the rear harness.
Reverse lights were an option in 65, so no one can tell you it's "incorrect"
Last edited by anyChevy; Sep 17, 2013 at 10:44 PM.
Safety Car
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ght-bulbs.html
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Sep 18, 2013 at 03:49 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
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From: Westport CT
THANK YOU for that post!!!! I completely agree with you about rear visibility. I didn't convert to 4-tail/stop lamps on my '66, I just converted to much higher wattage halogen bulbs. I got lambasted by a fellow CF member for making essentially the same statement about being seen at night.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ght-bulbs.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ght-bulbs.html
I really don't care (either) what any other member actually does, and we all have our own degrees of tolerence when perceived safety issues are involved (like I said, my own car-guy dad seems to have given up on any car that doesn't have an air bag). You can mount all manner of warning lights and wrap your car with red reflective tape for all I care, or you can just mount LEDs or brighter bulbs in the pair of red tail lights.
I will point out that more of these cars were sold with ONE pair of red tail lights plus one pair of white back up lights than the other way around, and they didn't seem to suffer an increased incidence of rear-enders. As you can see by looking at my Avatar, I kept it that way.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: St. Clair Shores MI
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
2017 C2 of the Year Finalist
I watched a buddy get rear ended by aa kid in an Omni while driving his 65 Mustang
With all these light lit up.
You can't warn stupid.
With all these light lit up.
You can't warn stupid.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 56
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From: Kelowna BC
Originally posted by ctjackster.
ME, I would try to keep them and return them to operation if that's how the car came equipped originally (with the Comfort and Convenience Group - by the way, do you have a dimming day/night rear view mirror?)
ME, I would try to keep them and return them to operation if that's how the car came equipped originally (with the Comfort and Convenience Group - by the way, do you have a dimming day/night rear view mirror?)
Is there a detailed list of options on the forum that I could read that would help me figure out what this bucket of bolts had when delivered?
(Mr.) Darcy