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First, I don't know why Chevy changed the configuration from '68 to '69 and beyond. I'd rather have 4 brake lights than two especially with all the idiots on the road these days. I'd like to keep the stock C3 look by going to '68 backup lights and converting my inner lights in the back to brake/running lights.
So my questions are:
Is there special brackets on the valence panel of a '68 to hold the backup housings?
Would my existing backup lights wiring just plug into the '68's housing or would I have to get special wiring pig-tails?
I'm also looking at other options for backup lights but like I said I'd like to keep it period correct even though my '71 didn't have backup lights in the rear valance.
Here is what I have on my 76. When I did the rear conversion I wanted the 68 look, but it just wasn't cost effective. I used a set of flush mount lights and added the LED bulbs. The result is better visibility than the original 76 lights. Another pro is you don't have to cut up and do any fiberglass work. I simply had to drill a hole for the wire to pass through. you can level the light when you install the two screws to hold it to the body.
When I changed mine to copy 7T2Vette style of the LED rings and 4 brake/turn signals I made a reverse light with LED strips onto the license plate frame.
For another car (Nova) we used an aluminum frame that had a third brake light built into it and just made a clear lens and used that for the reverse light.
Also, I found a set of license plate bolts that have white LED built in, not very bright but effective at passing safety
Richard has a flip-up (slide up?) plate that covers a super bright backup light
There's actually a lot of different ideas on the forum for them, quite a few on Bruce's thread (notice most of his threads are locked and he's been absent, hopefully haven't lost another guy)
M
First, I don't know why Chevy changed the configuration from '68 to '69 and beyond. I'd rather have 4 brake lights than two especially with all the idiots on the road these days. I'd like to keep the stock C3 look by going to '68 backup lights and converting my inner lights in the back to brake/running lights.
So my questions are:
Is there special brackets on the valence panel of a '68 to hold the backup housings?
Would my existing backup lights wiring just plug into the '68's housing or would I have to get special wiring pig-tails?
I'm also looking at other options for backup lights but like I said I'd like to keep it period correct even though my '71 didn't have backup lights in the rear valance.
Thanks guys
What year car do you have?69?
You can probably put all 4 red lights with the same plugs wire. Just splice and make it 4 stop lights.
If you want to put the reverse same as a 68 then you need the lights and there is a fiberglass frame that you bond to the rear valance and if you have a 69 you can cut it out. Or pick up a 68 rear valance panel, from there you would have to splice the reverse wires to a pig tail and connect to the back up light.
If you need the fiberglass frame for the reverse light I have a pair. If you need reverse lights I possibly have it too.
But if you like send me an email to grantwong@telus.net
Thanks, grant
...Is there special brackets on the valence panel of a '68 to hold the backup housings?...
Yes. The back up lights mount in brackets on the rear of the valance panel. Original brackets could be difficult to find. I'm not sure they are being reproduced.
...Would my existing backup lights wiring just plug into the '68's housing or would I have to get special wiring pig-tails?....
The back-up lights on the 68s aren't as good as yo'll think. The 6t8 that has been under my care for about 25 years or so only wants one to work at a time. l tried every thing to get the non working one working before realizing that l was fight a lost cause, so l broke down and purchased a used one for an exorbident one year only corvette price. Now that one works while the other one got jealous and quit working. Oh well so be it. T
Thanks for the info. I've see your robo-backup video before. All I want is some backup lights that look period correct (non-LED etc) to pass safety inspection if I ever decide to daily drive my Vette again and have 4 brake lights. The info about the Camaro BU lights is helpful.
The PO of my 68 convert did just the opposite of what you want to do. They fiberglassed over the reverse lights and painted the rear valence. I cut away their modification and put back the lenses. There is a bracket on the rear that is probably difficult to get, so you may have to use one of the modifications suggested in the other posts here. I like having four brake lights too. backup light opening after carefully cutting away fiberglass covering it.
Here in UK lighting regulations enforce use of amber coloured side indicators, both front and rear. Most of of us over here use the back-up lights with amber bulbs on '69 and later cars - I use the back-up lights on my '68 (with amber bulbs).
Question on '68 backup lights
