True flex tail light question
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
True flex tail light question
Hey guys, I am working on restoring my 75...does anyone know how to mount the tail lights on a new true flex bumper? If I buy new retaining clips (old ones rusted/unusable), is there a way to just use those to reattach the housings? Or will I have to get creative? I have removed the old light supports and have read that the lights need to be bolted right on to the new bumper cover, I am just trying to figure out in advance what I need to accomplish this task.
thanks in advance, any help is greatly appreciated!
thanks in advance, any help is greatly appreciated!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
If you look at my picture album you will see how I had to do it.
You CANNOT use the orriginal tail-light mount assembly, it will not fit.
If you want to PM me your email address I will send you a procedure with pictures that I used to replace mine.
You CANNOT use the orriginal tail-light mount assembly, it will not fit.
If you want to PM me your email address I will send you a procedure with pictures that I used to replace mine.
Last edited by KenSny; Jun 20, 2019 at 06:45 PM.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
I think I understand what you did by looking at your album, that’s very helpful! If I am seeing it correctly, you used two retainers per light, one on either side of bumper material. I think what I will have to do is buy two retainers per light and just use the three bolts to secure the outside retainer to the inside one
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,682
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I put a true flex on my 75 also, i went with the stock tail lights, but then changed them to bubble tail lights.
I can not remember how i installed either ones. Will have to check out some of my install pictures.
KenSny i am also interested in your procedure, have pm-ed you.
Just looked at your pics, looked like mine did, to the OP i did not have to purchase extra retainers.
I just used the parts from the old gm bumper i think.
I can not remember how i installed either ones. Will have to check out some of my install pictures.
KenSny i am also interested in your procedure, have pm-ed you.
Just looked at your pics, looked like mine did, to the OP i did not have to purchase extra retainers.
I just used the parts from the old gm bumper i think.
Last edited by Mod75; Jun 20, 2019 at 08:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...when I did my old '75's TrueFlex bumper 14yrs or so ago, I had to remove those original upright grey/black plastic pieces from the rearmost frame rail. The TF bumper is rigid enough itself to support the taillights. Another mistake I corrected was that I bought a hole saw larger than the hole that's there for the taillights. The bumper has holes that are slightly too small and it's common to see taillights that are tipped skyward because that is the way they want to tilt when tightening them down, which you can OVER DO!!! The taillights need to be just "lightly snug". I also remember removing that aluminum piece just behind the Corvette letters and had to shorten each of those vertical pieces on each side of the license plate area to get my bumper to fit.
Last edited by Paul Borowski; Jun 20, 2019 at 08:44 PM.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Wow this helps out tremendously, I have removed those old light supports and the metal part in the middle of the bumper and still have a little fitment issue. I will try and see if there’s something I can do about those two metal “bumpers” on either side of the license plate. If the fit feels better after that, I may try and keep that metal part in the middle. I’m so close to finally driving it, this is the last big snag that’s holding me up... thanks again for all the tips and help! So much experience on here
