4 tail light conversion on 69-72
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Haslet,Texas
Hmm, old post, but I'm glad this one resurfaced. I am thinking about buying the bubble lights for my '73. What I'm not sure of is how I want to wire the 2 inner lights, since I won't be using them for backup lighting anymore. I could just leave the 2 outer lights as the parking lights, and wire up the 2 inners to act as brake/turn lights. Would I have to change flashers if I did that, and if so, how come?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
Originally Posted by 73'Vette
Hmm, old post, but I'm glad this one resurfaced. I am thinking about buying the bubble lights for my '73. What I'm not sure of is how I want to wire the 2 inner lights, since I won't be using them for backup lighting anymore. I could just leave the 2 outer lights as the parking lights, and wire up the 2 inners to act as brake/turn lights. Would I have to change flashers if I did that, and if so, how come?
I was thinking about trying to bond a shallow cap onto the white area and putting small bulb into it. Then re-extend the reverse light to this new bulb, and rewire the original backup socket to the outer brake lights. Anyone done something similar to this? What are your thoughts about this? Think it will work?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Haslet,Texas
If you are going to use the two inner as turn lights also, then you will need a different flasher. You are going to be using 4 instead of 2 lights for blinkers, so you need a heavy duty flasher to compensate.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,448
Likes: 793
From: Redondo Beach, California
I too plan to convert my 1970 Coupe over to four tail/brake lights. However, I plan to use the rear valance panel from a 1968 Corvette. The 1968 Corvette has four tail/brake lights and has it's back up lights in the rear valance panel. This places the backup lights under the rear bumper. I have a 1968 Corvette Convertible and I think it was a mistake for GM sacrafice two of the tail/brake lights in order to avoid the extra manufacturing cost of the seperate lights. I too am concerned about being hit from behind. A quick look under the car reveals that the bumpers provide almost no collision protection and then there's that 20 gallon fuel tank a few inches away.
I have already bought the 1968 rear valance panel with the lights in it. I don't want to cut up my existing 1970 rear light harness. I plan to buy a new 1968 rear harness, put it in the 1968 and then put the old 1968 harness in the 1970. I'll probably have to cut some of the wires to splice the 1968 into the 1970 harness, but I can do that away from the lamps so curious people looking up into the car won't see a hay wire installation. The harness connection to the lamps will look stock Also, I expect to keep the fiberoptics.
I have already bought the 1968 rear valance panel with the lights in it. I don't want to cut up my existing 1970 rear light harness. I plan to buy a new 1968 rear harness, put it in the 1968 and then put the old 1968 harness in the 1970. I'll probably have to cut some of the wires to splice the 1968 into the 1970 harness, but I can do that away from the lamps so curious people looking up into the car won't see a hay wire installation. The harness connection to the lamps will look stock Also, I expect to keep the fiberoptics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
The old style flashers rely on the light bulb current to heat a
bi-metal element. It heats - turns off - cools - back on - this is
how it flashes. When too much current is pulled (extra blinker) -
then it blinks faster (and flasher burns out faster). It is the
opposite problem with LED bulbs - which draw much less current
and thus may not flash at all. I think there is an 'electronic'
flasher that works with LEDs - and might work with an extra bulb, too.
To retain the backup lenses, you could go with a red LED
replacement bulb - but I would opt for matching lenses.
bi-metal element. It heats - turns off - cools - back on - this is
how it flashes. When too much current is pulled (extra blinker) -
then it blinks faster (and flasher burns out faster). It is the
opposite problem with LED bulbs - which draw much less current
and thus may not flash at all. I think there is an 'electronic'
flasher that works with LEDs - and might work with an extra bulb, too.
To retain the backup lenses, you could go with a red LED
replacement bulb - but I would opt for matching lenses.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 340
Likes: 1
From: St. Clair Shores Michigan
I didn't need to change the flasher on my 71 when I did this mod...
also I used the standard 1157 bulb and filed down (just a little) the tit on the one side that does not line up...a little tight going in but works great !! I love the look and feel much better at night !!
AND....... It's yours, do as you wish and ignore the rest !!
also I used the standard 1157 bulb and filed down (just a little) the tit on the one side that does not line up...a little tight going in but works great !! I love the look and feel much better at night !!
AND....... It's yours, do as you wish and ignore the rest !!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville VA
While I can appreciate everybody's view on this...here's mine. (after all, we all want to give our .02 worth...)
IF I had a numbers-matching machine, I'd likely make it a "proper" NCRS restoration. However, I bought mine without knowing all the finer points I do now, but at a reasonable price. Not an original engine. Not even an L-82, or Pace Car option. So...I figure go with what makes it better, faster, cooler, more enjoyable.
In a couple more years, after I'm done, it won't have a stock suspension or engine, the brakes will be better, and the radio will be too. The wheels, and general outside appearance will be stock (the better to fool the guy that thinks it is stock).
I happen to like the four-taillight look since it is reminiscent of the mid-years. Even the C4s went back to it. I figure it won't harm the value of the car, and really isn't 'Bubba-like' if done cleanly...(Bubba would put boat-trailer lights on the back end!!!)
Do it your way! I hope to compare sharks with you someday!!!
IF I had a numbers-matching machine, I'd likely make it a "proper" NCRS restoration. However, I bought mine without knowing all the finer points I do now, but at a reasonable price. Not an original engine. Not even an L-82, or Pace Car option. So...I figure go with what makes it better, faster, cooler, more enjoyable.
In a couple more years, after I'm done, it won't have a stock suspension or engine, the brakes will be better, and the radio will be too. The wheels, and general outside appearance will be stock (the better to fool the guy that thinks it is stock).
I happen to like the four-taillight look since it is reminiscent of the mid-years. Even the C4s went back to it. I figure it won't harm the value of the car, and really isn't 'Bubba-like' if done cleanly...(Bubba would put boat-trailer lights on the back end!!!)
Do it your way! I hope to compare sharks with you someday!!!
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Bridgeport CT
Gentlemen:
Wow this is back up again.
I still maintain that the metal housings for the tail/stop light bulb or back up light bulb are simply NOT interchangeable. You cannot swap these bulbs. The housings are DO not accommodate either/ or both pin styles at the sides of these bulbs. This is not a guess, I know it and have shown this to many folk. A back-up bulb will not screw into a tail/stop lamp housing and visa versa. Why do you think the bulbs and housings were designed in this manner?
You could probably jury rig anything, however the consequences of ones engineering are sometimes unforeseen and can even be dangerous.
Thank Goodness we live in America and have a choice. Most folk can do whatever they like within reason. If ebay is any indication, those oldest models that are farthest from the original configuration generally do not achieve the highest return compared to others.
In my 30 years as a Corvette owner, I never heard of Bubba until I read this forum. I can honestly say, I did not give birth to his/her legendary achievements. And remember, I am merely the messenger, not the message.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS I read on another web site that the Governor of NJ admitted he was a fudge packer. Again, I am merely the messenger.
Wow this is back up again.
I still maintain that the metal housings for the tail/stop light bulb or back up light bulb are simply NOT interchangeable. You cannot swap these bulbs. The housings are DO not accommodate either/ or both pin styles at the sides of these bulbs. This is not a guess, I know it and have shown this to many folk. A back-up bulb will not screw into a tail/stop lamp housing and visa versa. Why do you think the bulbs and housings were designed in this manner?
You could probably jury rig anything, however the consequences of ones engineering are sometimes unforeseen and can even be dangerous.
Thank Goodness we live in America and have a choice. Most folk can do whatever they like within reason. If ebay is any indication, those oldest models that are farthest from the original configuration generally do not achieve the highest return compared to others.
In my 30 years as a Corvette owner, I never heard of Bubba until I read this forum. I can honestly say, I did not give birth to his/her legendary achievements. And remember, I am merely the messenger, not the message.
Geoffrey Coenen
PS I read on another web site that the Governor of NJ admitted he was a fudge packer. Again, I am merely the messenger.
