Well with all the chatter about LED taillights I finally got around to installing a set of the Harbor freight units in my 78.



The price has recently gone up - I got mine for $9.99 ea.
Other parts needed for this install is a

• 1/8"x1"x30" stick of aluminum flat bar from Home depot.
• (8) stainless steel 10x1 screws
• (4) 1/4-20 x 2 stainless flat head screws,
• (4) 1/4-20 stainless wing nuts
• some washers.
• Electronic flasher relay

$40 for lights
$21.50 for ancillary

$61.50

Starting point:

Now I have a fiberglass rear tail cap so in some ways its a bit easier for me. but I wanted an install that was easily undoable without drilling any new holes so we decided that since the rubber grommet would prevent any rattling all we needed was a method to hold the light straight and in position.

Therefore we decided on a single post off the center of the light that went through a bar mounted in the taillight bucket. I would then mount the light with a wingnut from behind.

The post was countersunk into a short strip of aluminum which was then epoxied to the back of the taillight the center of the light being measured off the edge of the connector boss as seen in this image.


The mounting piece screws into the same holes that the original tailights attached to - so if I ever decide I need to go back the same holes are used.

The brackets are straightforward and look like this.


From behind the stud passes through the mounting bracket and is fastened with a wingnut touched with a dap of blue threadlocker.


To be honest the rest is just soldering and installing the lights..


The light buckets on the ZR-1 style cap is pretty deep so the lights are very unobtrusive during the day.


But the brakelights are quite visible during the day.


Finally once the car got in shadow we took a shot with just the headlights on.

And with the brakes on

A really easy install requiring nothing more than a hacksaw, dremel tool and soldering iron. Compared to my dim old taillights through original darkened lenses these things are like lasers..more than bright enough day or night.

 

Beautiful! There hypnotizing me!

 

Good install. Very creative way to secure them in.

 

BTW, I dont know if trailer lights use a different color wire for ground and hot or not... these lights have a funky color scheme.

1. The ground wire is white.
2. the Headlights Hot is black
3. the directional/brake hot is red

It threw me for a loop as I am so used to black being a ground, so if anyone plans to do this keep that in mind.

The pigtails provided are long enough that they can both be soldered to the place where you remove the factory socket then simply route one pigtail into each taillight bucket. with ample room to pull them through far enough to connect them.

 

Nice job! Did you have to use an LED flasher unit?

 

I like it! well done

What bumper do you have on your ’78?

 

Just a standard electronic flasher in lieu of the original thermal is all that was required..flashers work just fine.


The rear bumper is a ZR-1 type with 3rd brakelight that I purchased from American Sportscar Design. I bought from them as theirs was the only one with the 3rd brakelight option..it uses the factory (91?) model year third brakelight.

Unfortunately they stopped making corvette parts not long thereafter and I havent seen the 3rd brakelight option since.

BTW this part bolted right on with no need for any fiberglass work to get it to align perfectly, unlike the many stories you hear about other bumpers.

 

Thanks! That's good to know. I have four to install come spring.

 

Well I like it and it’s unique. Those Leds really set it off.

Oh and I really like the color of your Vette

 

Cant imagine why

 

i bought those from harbor and am waiting to install after paint.Will post pics when finis, wip.

 

You stumped me on the electrical flasher instead of the thermal one. Where is the flasher located in the car, and where do I buy an electrical flasher?

 

My bad- I mean ELECTRONIC flasher

 

in the 78 the flasher is under the passenger side dash just below the glovebox in a spring clip. Electronic flashers can be found right along side the older thermal style at your auto parts place.

They say electronic right on the packaging, whereas not all of the older ones will say thermal.

the difference? I couldnt tell ya since as far as electrical stuff goes all i know is that its important to keep the smoke in the wires.

 

I have those in mine, The beauty of them is that they are sealed up so moisture cannot mess up the connection with bulb and socket, and they will probably still work long after the car does as led's take along time to burn out. The previous owner put them in mine because all the bayonet connections were corroded. I think they are a big win all the way around.

 

What a great mod...
Thanks for sharing the photos!

 

10 LEDS in each light?! Is this "Bright"? Are some specific individual LED's brighter than others? Or is it strictly a numbers game?

Since I can't get much comment on my '74 specific request, this may be the best consideration. Was just hoping for feedback specific, so I'd know what to anticipate.

Thanks, Steve

p.s. & thanks to the one response regarding rear access and mounting configuration.

 

Very nice mod!!

 

There are higher watt LEDs in use but for the most part it's quantity and directionality.

Take the two bulbs pictured for instance. The one on the right has more LEDs, and is brighter overall, but the one on the left 'appeared' brighter because the majority of the LEDs aim straight out.



Then there are these...my favorites. Costly to say the least, but MAN are these bright.

 

What about your reverse lights? I didn't see them on your pics.