Bubble Lens question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Bubble Lens question
I recently bought a set of the bubble lenses for my 79 which has a 80-82 rear bumper on it. I bought the lenses only, and not the total conversion kit. Ecklers states that the lenses will fit up to an 82. These lenses have three (3) mounting holes 120 degrees apart. My current lenses have two (2) holes 180 degrees apart. My question - Is there an adapter to mount the bubble lenses? If not, how can the claim be made that they'll fit up to an 82?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I recently bought a set of the bubble lenses for my 79 which has a 80-82 rear bumper on it. I bought the lenses only, and not the total conversion kit. Ecklers states that the lenses will fit up to an 82. These lenses have three (3) mounting holes 120 degrees apart. My current lenses have two (2) holes 180 degrees apart. My question - Is there an adapter to mount the bubble lenses? If not, how can the claim be made that they'll fit up to an 82?
I'm not really for sure on your answer but make sure you have them situated properly. The 3 holes in the bubbles are not actually all spaced the same. One hole goes straight down and the other two will be evenly spaced above it. If you get the wrong hole pointing down the two upper holes will not line up. Make sure you have them situated and then maybe they will bolt up using only the two screws.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
I have bubble lenses on my 79 (which also has a 80-82 rear bumper) They were already on the car. Someone will reply. I have the papers that show how to put these lenses on the car. The link where I printed the write up under corvettefaq.com may still have this write up present.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
DB - you're correct in saying that the three holes are not evenly spaced. I went by memory while at work. No matter which way you turn them, none of the holes will line up....
Oldguard, I saw your article on corvettefaq.com. I think you did a great job and they look good, but if I read the article correctly, it looks as though you drilled and tapped into your stock factory lenses and mounted the bubble lenses on top of the old ones (with a gasket of course). That's certainly one way of approaching the installation, but I want to save my 80-82 lenses if possible in case I want to switch back. I don't want to drill into them. Also, I imaging the bubble lenses are going to "stick out" by the thickness of the "old" lens because you now have a lens on top of a lens. I'll have to figure something out - maybe make an adapter plate around .25" thick (to ensure enough threads are present) that has both sets of mounting holes. Two holes would be through holes for clearance for the stock location screws and there would be three threaded holes for the bubble lens to screw onto. The adapter would be the same outside diameter as the lens itself - It would basically look like an aluminum gasket...
Oldguard, I saw your article on corvettefaq.com. I think you did a great job and they look good, but if I read the article correctly, it looks as though you drilled and tapped into your stock factory lenses and mounted the bubble lenses on top of the old ones (with a gasket of course). That's certainly one way of approaching the installation, but I want to save my 80-82 lenses if possible in case I want to switch back. I don't want to drill into them. Also, I imaging the bubble lenses are going to "stick out" by the thickness of the "old" lens because you now have a lens on top of a lens. I'll have to figure something out - maybe make an adapter plate around .25" thick (to ensure enough threads are present) that has both sets of mounting holes. Two holes would be through holes for clearance for the stock location screws and there would be three threaded holes for the bubble lens to screw onto. The adapter would be the same outside diameter as the lens itself - It would basically look like an aluminum gasket...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
I did not write the paper. These lenses were on my car when I bought it. I mentioned the link because I happened to see it. You have got me curious now. Did the previous owner(s) put these on by drilling into the original lenses? They look good, but really now wonder. I will find out because I need to remove them to polish them because they look dull.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
tobyte1,
That would be great if you have a spare set. If you do and want to get rid of them, PM me with your price, etc...
Either way, thanks for replying with the pics of them!
That would be great if you have a spare set. If you do and want to get rid of them, PM me with your price, etc...
Either way, thanks for replying with the pics of them!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
Actually the complete kit has more parts. You are suppose to wire the inside lenses that have the backup lights with the same type of socket as the outer ones to the outer wires. Then when you brake all four go on. When you turn, both lights on the left or right light up and also their is no backup lights. Makes your back quite bright at night though
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
rayluka,
Thanks for the reply. I realize that this is how the kit works and ordered only the lenses themselves. I intend to leave the wiring as is and only install the bubble lenses. This way, if i don't like the look of the lenses, I simply remove them with no harm done. This is why I didn't want to drill into my factory lenses (noted above somewhere in this post). If I like the look of them, then I rewire as required to get all of them to light up which can be done without buying the complete kit (excluding a heavy duty flasher for the fuse panel). That way I'm only out $25 for the lenses instead of $80 for the kit if I don't like them...
Thanks for the reply. I realize that this is how the kit works and ordered only the lenses themselves. I intend to leave the wiring as is and only install the bubble lenses. This way, if i don't like the look of the lenses, I simply remove them with no harm done. This is why I didn't want to drill into my factory lenses (noted above somewhere in this post). If I like the look of them, then I rewire as required to get all of them to light up which can be done without buying the complete kit (excluding a heavy duty flasher for the fuse panel). That way I'm only out $25 for the lenses instead of $80 for the kit if I don't like them...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
rayluka,
Thanks for the reply. I realize that this is how the kit works and ordered only the lenses themselves. I intend to leave the wiring as is and only install the bubble lenses. This way, if i don't like the look of the lenses, I simply remove them with no harm done. This is why I didn't want to drill into my factory lenses (noted above somewhere in this post). If I like the look of them, then I rewire as required to get all of them to light up which can be done without buying the complete kit (excluding a heavy duty flasher for the fuse panel). That way I'm only out $25 for the lenses instead of $80 for the kit if I don't like them...
Thanks for the reply. I realize that this is how the kit works and ordered only the lenses themselves. I intend to leave the wiring as is and only install the bubble lenses. This way, if i don't like the look of the lenses, I simply remove them with no harm done. This is why I didn't want to drill into my factory lenses (noted above somewhere in this post). If I like the look of them, then I rewire as required to get all of them to light up which can be done without buying the complete kit (excluding a heavy duty flasher for the fuse panel). That way I'm only out $25 for the lenses instead of $80 for the kit if I don't like them...
You will love them, i wired mine up so they both blink, and brake.
heres my old set i made
Heres bubble's i like them allot more
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
rayluka,
Thanks for the reply. I realize that this is how the kit works and ordered only the lenses themselves. I intend to leave the wiring as is and only install the bubble lenses. This way, if i don't like the look of the lenses, I simply remove them with no harm done. This is why I didn't want to drill into my factory lenses (noted above somewhere in this post). If I like the look of them, then I rewire as required to get all of them to light up which can be done without buying the complete kit (excluding a heavy duty flasher for the fuse panel). That way I'm only out $25 for the lenses instead of $80 for the kit if I don't like them...
Thanks for the reply. I realize that this is how the kit works and ordered only the lenses themselves. I intend to leave the wiring as is and only install the bubble lenses. This way, if i don't like the look of the lenses, I simply remove them with no harm done. This is why I didn't want to drill into my factory lenses (noted above somewhere in this post). If I like the look of them, then I rewire as required to get all of them to light up which can be done without buying the complete kit (excluding a heavy duty flasher for the fuse panel). That way I'm only out $25 for the lenses instead of $80 for the kit if I don't like them...