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Bubble Taillight Conversion Kit

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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 06:03 PM
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Default Bubble Taillight Conversion Kit

I am thinking about getting the bubble taillight conversion kit from Ecklers (A6874). I still have the original lens installed and they are faded and look bad. Replacement lens are really expensive and this looks to be a reasonable option. Has anyone installed these and if so was it an easy install, any issues?

So if you install this do you lose your back-up lights? Is that legal? Can you post some pics of what they look like installed?

TIA
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 06:11 PM
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Yes. You lose your backup lights.
Legality depends on your state.

Install looks easy. You need to splice the inside lights into the outside harness. Lights will work in pairs.

Ordered my bubble lights a few weeks back. Waiting on delivery.

P.S.
You can also buy just the lenses if you do not want to mess with the rewire and just want the look. Cost is much less too.


If you want a set of used lenses from a 79, let me know. Mine are coming off the car this weekend. They look original, but not real bad. I'm thinking they'd polish up well.
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
Yes. You lose your backup lights.
Legality depends on your state.

Install looks easy. You need to splice the inside lights into the outside harness. Lights will work in pairs.

Ordered my bubble lights a few weeks back. Waiting on delivery.

P.S.
You can also buy just the lenses if you do not want to mess with the rewire and just want the look. Cost is much less too.


If you want a set of used lenses from a 79, let me know. Mine are coming off the car this weekend. They look original, but not real bad. I'm thinking they'd polish up well.

Can you post a pic of your original lens? and thanks for the info! Where did you order your bubble lens kit from?
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 77vetter
Can you post a pic of your original lens? and thanks for the info! Where did you order your bubble lens kit from?
Ordered my kit from Corvette Central $80.
Just the 4 bubble lenses is $19.95.

I've never had luck posting pics on this site. Could email them to you.
I'll drop you an im.
Thanks.
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
Yes. You lose your backup lights.
Legality depends on your state.
Not hard to fix, I wired some small square fog lights in under the bumper. I'll come up with a more permanent solution later.

You can also buy just the lenses if you do not want to mess with the rewire and just want the look. Cost is much less too.
Won't work on a '77, since the lens and light housing assembly are one part, unlike the chrome-bumper light assemblies.
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Not hard to fix, I wired some small square fog lights in under the bumper. I'll come up with a more permanent solution later.
I'm thinking the same way if I can find some small lights that look ok.
Also considering replacing my rear bumper with a fiberglass one and glassing some late model backup lights into the bumber????
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 06:45 PM
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Mine had the full bubble kit installed when I bought it, but I had to rewire everything correctly as it was all Bubba done.

I personally really like the look of the bubbles and will work on various alternate ways to get back up lights.
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 07:20 PM
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Just sent you a pm
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 07:22 PM
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My '71 had them when I got it. Not sure if its just the lenses or the whole unit. I really don't know if I like them or not. They have grown on me, but I do like the originals a lot more.
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Mine had the full bubble kit installed when I bought it, but I had to rewire everything correctly as it was all Bubba done.

I personally really like the look of the bubbles and will work on various alternate ways to get back up lights.
I personally despise them. Easy to say on the forum but hard to say in person at a car show.
Sorry.
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 77vetter
Can you post some pics of what they look like installed?
They were already on mine when I got it...I like the look on my car.

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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 09:06 PM
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i was thinking about getting the bubble lenses because i like the look with no backup lights. i'm also thinking about just getting 4 stock taillights(no backup) and then wire them up to work like the bubble lights. that will cost more but the stock lights look a little better to me
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 10:32 PM
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Mine had the bubble lights when I bought it. I'm not sure if I like them, but I don't really like the 80's style either .........

my bubbles
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 11:33 PM
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I like the stock light...never could cotton-up to the bubble lights...just my .02
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 12:07 AM
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Slight Hijack....I have 4 new taillamp OE lenses. And I prefer their look to the bubble lenses. Does anyone know if the wiring harness included with Eckler's Kit will fit the OE lenses?
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 09:36 AM
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I have bubbles on my car. Some day I will have back up lights added,but a major thing to be aware of is no reflector if your lights are out.My fl. plate is reflective and thats it on the rear of my car. John
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 09:58 AM
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I prefer 4 stock taillights & bought 4 new ones from the Chevy dealer a long time ago. Hidden very lightweight bu setup which bounces the light off the 3" chrome tips.

The 4 bubble lenses & 2 sockets is another good way to do it.

PS
BU could be added on both sides of the lic. plate on some models.
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by chris75stingray
i was thinking about getting the bubble lenses because i like the look with no backup lights. i'm also thinking about just getting 4 stock taillights(no backup) and then wire them up to work like the bubble lights. that will cost more but the stock lights look a little better to me
That's what I did on mine.
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
Yes. You lose your backup lights.
Legality depends on your state.

Install looks easy. You need to splice the inside lights into the outside harness. Lights will work in pairs.

Ordered my bubble lights a few weeks back. Waiting on delivery.

P.S.
You can also buy just the lenses if you do not want to mess with the rewire and just want the look. Cost is much less too.


If you want a set of used lenses from a 79, let me know. Mine are coming off the car this weekend. They look original, but not real bad. I'm thinking they'd polish up well.
When you say the lights work in pairs does that include turn signals? Do both right side lights blink when turning right? Or is it just the brake and taillights?
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 02:09 PM
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Never liked the look of the bubble lights myself. I think the Harbor Freight LED trailer light conversion is much better looking not to mention more functional and cheaper.
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