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tail lights, which would you do

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Old Sep 20, 2003 | 02:35 PM
  #1  
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Default tail lights, which would you do

The previous owner had this car set up for all red lenses in the rear which worked together. I have installed the clear lenses and am rewiring so I can see when I back up. Since i have the double lamp sockets I was considering either hooking the other filement up to the brake lights/directionals. they are tailights/backup now. What would you recommend?
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Old Sep 20, 2003 | 02:44 PM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (adamdinat)

if you install the clear lenses on the inner lights, you wouldn't be able to use them for anything but back up lights, right? I mean, you can't have white brake lights or white turn signals. If you stuck with red lenses on all four lights you could do that and have the functionality of a C4 or C5 where all the lights work for something, and you could go and rewire a seperate circuit for you backup lights and integrate them into your license plate-one forum member did this, and it looked :thumbs: .
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Old Sep 20, 2003 | 03:36 PM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (adamdinat)

Sounds like the wires to what was the backup's are just extensions of the taillights.

There should be additional -- now un-used -- wires or at least the stubs of what had gone to the backup lights.

I did this 4 taillight mod and just wrapped (in plastic to waterproof) the complete backup light sockets and left them behind the bumper. Yours might have been done the same.

good luck

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Old Sep 20, 2003 | 09:16 PM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (79Corvette02)

I was thinkling that using the whites for brakes might help visibility.
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Old Sep 20, 2003 | 09:45 PM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (adamdinat)

I don't know what you have for state or other inspections, but that may be illegal or not-passable.

It may also be confusing for anyone following you, e.g., someone may think you're backing up on the highway or wherever :eek:

The backup wires should be there somewhere. I put the bubbles on mine, but kept the backups intact and zip tied out of the way.
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Old Sep 20, 2003 | 09:46 PM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (adamdinat)

I will trade you !

I want all four red in my car and just haven't gotten around to doing it yet.
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Old Sep 20, 2003 | 10:38 PM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (BSeery)

You can't use white brake lights - very illegal.
I have a set from my 75 - if you wanna try 'em out first ...
or did you already buy new lenses ?

:seeya
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Old Sep 22, 2003 | 07:21 AM
  #8  
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (adamdinat)

Adam,
I'm confused (as ever!). What I've got is 2 red lights (the outermost ones) that work as tail/brake & the other 2 lights have clear plastic in a red outer. These have orange colored bulbs & are just used as direction indicators (legally our indicators must be orange). I have a separate backup light hung from the rear impact bar. What I really want is 4 rear tail lights with the outer ones being also used as brake lights (as now) & the inner as direction indicators.
The double lamp sockets you mentioned, are they for using 2 bulbs in those clear/red lights ie could an orange bulb be used as an indicator & a clear bulb be used as a tail light in the same light?? If so, where did you get them?????
4 tail lights = :cool:
:cheers:
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Old Sep 22, 2003 | 07:30 AM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (adamdinat)

The car was set up with the double filiment bulbs in all 4 tail lights I guess you cannot have it both ways. I am going to just clip the extra wire on the backup light sockets until I get the corrrect ones. I already have the new clear center lenses. Double reds looked cool but did not help me when backing up.
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Old Sep 22, 2003 | 08:24 AM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (79Corvette02)

79Corvette02,
I'd like to do the back up light in the license plate thing. Who was the CF member who has already done this?
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Old Sep 22, 2003 | 12:53 PM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (adamdinat)

I'm eventually going with the quad red bubble lens', and I REALLY like the look! Of course this takes out the b.u. lamps. To solve this, I've found some neat low/small profile lamps that look like rectangular driving lamps. I'm going to mount them behind the rear bumper, just a peek below the bottom edge. This will provide me with 10 times the illumination, and virutally be outa site.
I plan for a seperate relay activated circuit for them, as I may want their use for more than b.u. lamps. I've done this with my truck, and REALLY like the results!
If I were you, I wouldn't use clear lens' for anything except illumination (plate, b.u.) as you may wind-up with a ticket! :nono:
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Old Sep 22, 2003 | 01:40 PM
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Default Re: tail lights, which would you do (adamdinat)

I never saw the need for backup lights on a C3 when I owned a 1979. The four tail/brake combo is much safer in terms of visibility.

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