Converting to fixed position headlights
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Converting to fixed position headlights
I am doing some work on my uncle's 82 vette, and one of the issues is the headlight system. I have seen pictures of cars where they basically removed the whole pop-up system and fitted in some headlight buckets, with a couple of square sealed beams sitting in there, but I can't seem to find any kits to convert it over. Does a kit exist, and if so, does anyone know where I can get one? Thanks.
Mike
Mike
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Palmer Ma
I just looked at ecklers and mine are for 68-74 you need these 75-82.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...0&dept_id=1353
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...0&dept_id=1353
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Have you considered the type that sit slightly above the surface with small round halogen bulbs and a plastic cover that conformes to the shape of the round headlights? They look much better and they look more modern . The rectangular headlights are a dated item from the 70's. Maybe if someone has a picture of the ones I described , they will post it for you.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 778
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I love the rectangle recessed lamps...very cool custom trick that doesn't mod the car....so no damage to car or resale value.....the purists hate it,
It solves the bug eyed look of pop ups, plus the rectangle lamps go better with the lines of the car the round lamps tend to break up flow...be sure to rewire the quad rectangle lamps when you install in a C3...it is not a plug and play
And be sure to get the right set up for your year car....I believe I have a used set.
bj1k
What you are describing are like old road racer lights...wicked cool for the vintage racer look but way too bug eyed and killing the lines for my tastes
It solves the bug eyed look of pop ups, plus the rectangle lamps go better with the lines of the car the round lamps tend to break up flow...be sure to rewire the quad rectangle lamps when you install in a C3...it is not a plug and play
And be sure to get the right set up for your year car....I believe I have a used set.
bj1k
What you are describing are like old road racer lights...wicked cool for the vintage racer look but way too bug eyed and killing the lines for my tastes
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Overall, OK, but those headlights are a heavy weight to carry for a otherwise decent/slick looking car....
I just tired of the old over round antiquated look, it's no longer becoming on a sleek car like the shark....something much more modern is necessary, I used to have Eckler's scoops in my car also, first version after the lights were hit by a damn deer in '98....I was thinking of altering the operation and putting in lower profile bulbs, but it never got there...
those over large doors look like antiquated crap anyway, sour grapes, I Know....
More modern bulbs are in order, and the first person coming out with a kit using them can clean up....
I just tired of the old over round antiquated look, it's no longer becoming on a sleek car like the shark....something much more modern is necessary, I used to have Eckler's scoops in my car also, first version after the lights were hit by a damn deer in '98....I was thinking of altering the operation and putting in lower profile bulbs, but it never got there...
those over large doors look like antiquated crap anyway, sour grapes, I Know....
More modern bulbs are in order, and the first person coming out with a kit using them can clean up....
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
This needs to be considered. If you decide to do it anyway make absolutely certain you get a quality setup that the headlights can be easily adjusted up and down and side to side. Many of the changerovers have very very poor headlight adjustment hardware.
(I would try to find a setup that is totally bolt in and by all means save the parts you take out.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I love the rectangle recessed lamps...very cool custom trick that doesn't mod the car....so no damage to car or resale value.....the purists hate it,
It solves the bug eyed look of pop ups, plus the rectangle lamps go better with the lines of the car the round lamps tend to break up flow...be sure to rewire the quad rectangle lamps when you install in a C3...it is not a plug and play
And be sure to get the right set up for your year car....I believe I have a used set.
bj1k
What you are describing are like old road racer lights...wicked cool for the vintage racer look but way too bug eyed and killing the lines for my tastes
It solves the bug eyed look of pop ups, plus the rectangle lamps go better with the lines of the car the round lamps tend to break up flow...be sure to rewire the quad rectangle lamps when you install in a C3...it is not a plug and play
And be sure to get the right set up for your year car....I believe I have a used set.
bj1k
What you are describing are like old road racer lights...wicked cool for the vintage racer look but way too bug eyed and killing the lines for my tastes
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 778
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
This needs to be considered. If you decide to do it anyway make absolutely certain you get a quality setup that the headlights can be easily adjusted up and down and side to side. Many of the changerovers have very very poor headlight adjustment hardware.
(I would try to find a setup that is totally bolt in and by all means save the parts you take out.)
Have you seen many first hand? what company were junk?
Ecklers are top shelf...as are the ones I have for sale, all metal hardware and all adjustments are tight, too many people do not rewire for quad lights and just plug in and the light then is wrong.
Well perhaps since Eckelrs went up to 600.00 but used sets are sold all the time on craisglist and fleabay even my new set is just 250.00 most stock headlight stuff adds up quick.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Ecklers do not mod the car...you can return to stock,
Have you seen many first hand? what company were junk?
Ecklers are top shelf...as are the ones I have for sale, all metal hardware and all adjustments are tight, too many people do not rewire for quad lights and just plug in and the light then is wrong.
Have you seen many first hand? what company were junk?
Ecklers are top shelf...as are the ones I have for sale, all metal hardware and all adjustments are tight, too many people do not rewire for quad lights and just plug in and the light then is wrong.
I have no clue as to what company made them but since you say Ecklers are good then these were most likely not from Ecklers.
There were several guys in Dayton that used to make fiberglass parts for Corvettes , its possible the ones I was seeing around town and at shows were all home grown.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 778
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I've only actually had 3 in my shop to look at over the years and all 3 were not very good quality. I attempted to adjust 1 of them and got it close but the adjusters run out before I could get them to spec.
I have no clue as to what company made them but since you say Ecklers are good then these were most likely not from Ecklers.
There were several guys in Dayton that used to make fiberglass parts for Corvettes , its possible the ones I was seeing around town and at shows were all home grown.
I have no clue as to what company made them but since you say Ecklers are good then these were most likely not from Ecklers.
There were several guys in Dayton that used to make fiberglass parts for Corvettes , its possible the ones I was seeing around town and at shows were all home grown.
The recessed headlights I sell like ecklers does/did...granted I have not seen an Ecklers set in 10 years used all metal adjusters...which is a must,
Were the lamps rewired, if not rewired the wrong bulb is on at the wrong time...a big mess they must be wired like a 80 trans am for example a car that came with quad rectangle lamps
If the adjuster ran out then it would tell me something perhaps was wrong with the fiberglass parts....too thick or too thin fiberglass where the adjuster mounts would do this too....I have had to remove the adjuster grind down the pad then reinstall it to be able to adjust the lamps...but never with an Ecklers set....as you see I judge glass by what Ecklers used to make.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
I had them on my 79 when I bought it, but recently restored to pop-ups. I agree with the responder who stated repair the pop-ups is cheaper (and likely easier) than replace.
To the OP, as stated Eckler's sells a kit which is (IMHO) remarkably overpriced. Shop for used.
The kit does not include covers; they are an extra pile of $$; I made my own which worked out well.
I liked the look but I didn't like how the light was cut off by the edges of the frames..tunnel vision.
Best of luck,
Steve
To the OP, as stated Eckler's sells a kit which is (IMHO) remarkably overpriced. Shop for used.
The kit does not include covers; they are an extra pile of $$; I made my own which worked out well.
I liked the look but I didn't like how the light was cut off by the edges of the frames..tunnel vision.
Best of luck,
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
