Removing reverse lights....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 41
From: Conn.
St. Jude Donor '21
Removing reverse lights....
So.....If I wanted to remove the two reverse lenses(and I DO! :lol: ), and replace them with a couple of red standard lenses, so that two brake lights on each side come on, and two signal lights go on for each side, do I just tap into the existing wires that now control the outside lamps???? :crazy: :crazy: (I know, Iknow... I have to change the sockets too!!!)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 962
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle PA
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (SEE3ER)
That is exactly what you do... I did mine.. looks a heck of alot better with both coming on rather then one. One other thing, ya might want to check your inspection laws (if applicable) about not having backup lights. Luv the car :cheers:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 41
From: Conn.
St. Jude Donor '21
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (70PurpleLS7)
70----thanks for the compliment! As far as this state is concerned regarding inspections, they couldn't inspect themselves out of a paper bag? :jester 
Well.......you know what I mean... :D
Well.......you know what I mean... :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (SEE3ER)
What you are really doing is going for the '68 look. If you need lights for inspection, you could have fun by putting them in the valance panel (as 68's do) and then have fun with people trying to guess the year of your shark!
PS. Your car looks great....with/without the backup lamps!
PS. Your car looks great....with/without the backup lamps!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (SEE3ER)
Use scotch locks to tap into the existing tail/brake wiring harness. This is a non-Bubba installation as no wires are cut. In the pic/example the red wire from the new socket is connected through the small, silver guillotine that pierces but does not cut the existing black wire. The back up sockets remain on the harness and are held in place by nylon ties to it . Ready for re-use for inspections and sale/safety certification purposes.
[Modified by paul79, 2:09 PM 10/10/2001]
[Modified by paul79, 2:17 PM 10/10/2001]
[Modified by paul79, 2:09 PM 10/10/2001]
[Modified by paul79, 2:17 PM 10/10/2001]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 41
From: Conn.
St. Jude Donor '21
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (68shark)
68--thanks, that was exactly my intention, to install some rectangular type back-up lights in the existing holes left from stock exhaust, just have to figure out how to mount? :confused:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 41
From: Conn.
St. Jude Donor '21
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (paul79)
paul- I see you read my mind, (easy to do :crazy: :crazy: ) I already installed the scotch locks, but the sockets are another issue. Gotta figure out how to remove the existing sockets from the mounting plate, and install some generic two wire sockets back in.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: FT.LAUDERDALE FL.USA
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (SEE3ER)
I just did this to my 73,used a drill a little bigger then the socket and drilled
off the part of the socket that was bent around the plate, then it just falls
out.Drills easy soft metal
off the part of the socket that was bent around the plate, then it just falls
out.Drills easy soft metal
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (SEE3ER)
You may also want to get a heavy duty flasher (little tin can). One came with my bubble light kit. I tried the first dual side before I put the new flasher in and they didn't work very well. With the new flasher, they were back to normal (well, as normal as my lights get, I still have a couple of problems :rolleyes: ).
BTW, how'd the soft brake pedal work out?
BTW, how'd the soft brake pedal work out?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (jerryp58)
Changed to 4 stock several years ago. Rec. ! Also changed flasher as Jerryp58.
Paul79
See you decided to go w/ 4 stock instead of the bubble ones.
Paul79
See you decided to go w/ 4 stock instead of the bubble ones.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (Ganey)
Ganey,
Yes I removed the bubble lamps in June and sold them to a Forum member. I purchased two stock light pots (The Made-in-USA version, not the imported) from ZIP and this is the result (brake lights on). I find the car is much more visible. The local Police have better things to do than try to figure out if a 1979 Corvette has back-up lights. I have never been questioned on the matter. As I noted above, the back-up wiring is still there if the car is to be sold. We do not have annual inspections so that is not an issue.
[Modified by paul79, 10:25 AM 10/11/2001]
Yes I removed the bubble lamps in June and sold them to a Forum member. I purchased two stock light pots (The Made-in-USA version, not the imported) from ZIP and this is the result (brake lights on). I find the car is much more visible. The local Police have better things to do than try to figure out if a 1979 Corvette has back-up lights. I have never been questioned on the matter. As I noted above, the back-up wiring is still there if the car is to be sold. We do not have annual inspections so that is not an issue.
[Modified by paul79, 10:25 AM 10/11/2001]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 41
From: Conn.
St. Jude Donor '21
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (jerryp58)
jerry--- the problem was what another member suggested, car was up at an angle for about ten days, so brake fluid must have crept to the front, and some air made it back to the calipers? I think so too, OR.... when the car was angled up some fluid transfered from the the rear reservoir in the master to the front, and let some air in? Anyways, bled the rears and we're back rock hard again! :D :D :D
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 41
From: Conn.
St. Jude Donor '21
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (jerryp58)
jerry --finishn the lights last night, and they do look real good! Now to figure out those exhaust cutaways in the rear valance....see my reply above for those soft brakes issues!
C3r
C3r
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (SEE3ER)
Time to update your pic :)
Glad to hear the brakes are back.
Maybe you could check around for some used backup lights from some other cars: something that could cover up the holes and sit at the right angle. Or, maybe you could just mount some kind of driving light in there recessed; that might be :cool: and bright!
Glad to hear the brakes are back.
Maybe you could check around for some used backup lights from some other cars: something that could cover up the holes and sit at the right angle. Or, maybe you could just mount some kind of driving light in there recessed; that might be :cool: and bright!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Detroit Area
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (jerryp58)
Danger Danger Will Roberson. The backup light lens on most Vettes contains the special reflective material to luminate the rear of your car when it is parked. I replaced the tail light lens on my 72 with those from a 68. That year had 4 brake lights, and the reflective material is on all 4 lenses. To turn the backup sockets into brake lights, I cut a small piece of plastic to cover the contacts in the socket, and used a product called ‘Tap-A-Light’ from U-Haul. It is a two-filament bulb that has two wires coming out of the side of the glass, to connect to your trailer lights, if you don’t have a trailer light plug. I drilled a small hole in the backup light housing, and fed the wire through. I then used the 3M connecters to get power from the original brake lights. When the insurance company took my 72, I removed the 68 lens, and I am going to install them in my 71.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 9
From: Fairport NY
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (Indynick)
I would like to switch my back up lights to brake lights but NY state checks the back up lights as part of the annual inspection. I just swap my lenses for the inspection.
Racer
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Scott AFB IL
Re: Removing reverse lights.... (Red73)
some more reading.....if your interested.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=152911
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=152911
