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1981 back-up lights (without?)

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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 10:51 AM
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Default 1981 back-up lights (without?)

I recently purchased a very clean original paint, interior, matching numbers 1981. I found that there are NO back-up lights on it. The tail light lenses are all the same. Does anyone know if this might have come from the factory like this?
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 10:58 AM
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Previous owner removed the backup lights and installed 2 more brake lights to make it look better.

Common modification.

The backup harness is probably stuck up behind the gas tank out of the way. You could buy a couple backup lights and reinstall if you like.

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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 01:48 PM
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Sad to say, the Back-up Light Delete was NOT a factory option.
I didn't like the looks of the back-up lights either and modified mine too. Here are pictures.


Here is with the new back-up light installed & extended.



Here is what I ended up fabricating to get this to work.


And here it is installed .

Last edited by Jim Martley2; Jan 14, 2011 at 01:52 PM.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim Martley2
Sad to say, the Back-up Light Delete was NOT a factory option.
I didn't like the looks of the back-up lights either and modified mine too. Here are pictures.


Here is with the new back-up light installed & extended.



Here is what I ended up fabricating to get this to work.


And here it is installed .

Jim-
How much to make me one?
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
Jim-
How much to make me one?
I made this up about 4 years ago and at that time the Linear Actuator was around $200. There is some re-wiring that has to be done and a Relay installed in the wiring to make it work automaticaly when you put it in & out of Reverse. It wasn't an "easy bolt-on instillation", by any stretch of the imagination. Here is a link to the thread discussing the Relay I ended up buying. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...cs-wizard.html

Jim

Last edited by Jim Martley2; Jan 14, 2011 at 02:20 PM.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 02:57 PM
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My setup. Note the small lights under the bumper that fill the requirement for backup lights.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 03:12 PM
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SteveG75,
Where did you find those small, thin lights? I have a 72 with bullet tail lights and need backups. Those are quite un-noticeable. I had been using l.e.d.s in bolts - "lite-in-bolts" (for the license tag bracket) but they were not bright enough.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 03:16 PM
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Jim, I like the stock lens look, if what I am seeing is correct. Been wanting to make this mod myself and using the bubble lights as option 2. I will shoot ya a pm.
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by JimT
SteveG75,
Where did you find those small, thin lights? I have a 72 with bullet tail lights and need backups. Those are quite un-noticeable. I had been using l.e.d.s in bolts - "lite-in-bolts" (for the license tag bracket) but they were not bright enough.
Jim,

They are just LED accent lights from Autozone. Not super bright though. They do have some thin fog lights that would probably do the trick though.
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 04:56 PM
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it does look much better with 4 brake lights!!! might have to add this mod to my to do list
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim Martley2
Here is with the new back-up light installed & extended.

That's pretty cool !
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:15 AM
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Mini Cooper reverse light

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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 09:16 AM
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Nice job Jim
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Old Jan 16, 2011 | 08:43 PM
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