flush mount tail lights
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
attached mine to the lights.
And I have have 2 back themselves out in the past year. Might consider light duty thread lock or even white glue on the threads just to ensure a solid fit.
And I have have 2 back themselves out in the past year. Might consider light duty thread lock or even white glue on the threads just to ensure a solid fit.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 41
From: Corinth TX
Originally Posted by BarneePhife
Here are pics I took during my DIY install.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
From: Southfield MI
I have been reading this forum for 6 months or so, just joined this month as I am now ready to buy my first vette. I have read a ton of post that had smart-*** comments and other comments that are detrimental to the forum. This is one post that I am saving and plan on doing this to my Vette the day I get it. Looks great! Great informational post.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Basel Switzerland
St. Jude Donor '07
Thanks to everyone who has made kind comments regarding my pictures. I'm happy to hear that so many others value this type of information. I'll definitely keep it coming as I do more projects in the future.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by free C-5
I like your kit much better, also do you have any problems with the light moving, like its not mounted solid
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Basel Switzerland
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by sgtzim
I did mine last weekend with the same system as Barnee used. I have a little bit of a "rocking" problem, but only when I physically push on the bottom half of the light (I noticed it when I washed the car). The light does not move with normal driving though.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
Additional Tip - Flush Mount lights
My first mod to my '99 FRC was the flush mounted tailights using parts recommended from Lowes method. The spacers provide, obviously, the necessary spacing, the Foam provides the stability since it sits between the light and the opening. Press the lights into position while tighteneing the screws by hand. Once set in place, the light won't move. Here's a tip, to keep the spacers from sliding off the screws during install, put a piece of electrical tape over the spacer hole and wrap it around the spacer. Place the screw in the light and slide the spacer over the screw poking through the electrical tape that you put over the spacer hole. Now the spacer stays in place and won't slide off during installation. Installation goes really fast that way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
If possible does anybody have a close up pic on a light after the install? I just want to see what the weatherstrip around the light looks like close up. Im thinking of doing this but I have heard that the weatherstrip makes it look "cheap". Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Basel Switzerland
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by nickolbag
If possible does anybody have a close up pic on a light after the install? I just want to see what the weatherstrip around the light looks like close up. Im thinking of doing this but I have heard that the weatherstrip makes it look "cheap". Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I like this post if for no other reason, than to show people they don't have to purchase a pricey "tail light seal" from the vendor thread that just never seems to disappear.
I prefer the recessed factory look, however, for the sake of adademics I do have a question: By pushing the tail lights out, you are also pushing the bottom farther out than the tops of the light attemblies in order to achieve the flush look, or are you? I would be concerned that the reflectors in the lenses would be less effective by setting the lights at an angle like that.
I prefer the recessed factory look, however, for the sake of adademics I do have a question: By pushing the tail lights out, you are also pushing the bottom farther out than the tops of the light attemblies in order to achieve the flush look, or are you? I would be concerned that the reflectors in the lenses would be less effective by setting the lights at an angle like that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Basel Switzerland
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by JMc
I like this post if for no other reason, than to show people they don't have to purchase a pricey "tail light seal" from the vendor thread that just never seems to disappear.
I prefer the recessed factory look, however, for the sake of adademics I do have a question: By pushing the tail lights out, you are also pushing the bottom farther out than the tops of the light attemblies in order to achieve the flush look, or are you? I would be concerned that the reflectors in the lenses would be less effective by setting the lights at an angle like that.
I prefer the recessed factory look, however, for the sake of adademics I do have a question: By pushing the tail lights out, you are also pushing the bottom farther out than the tops of the light attemblies in order to achieve the flush look, or are you? I would be concerned that the reflectors in the lenses would be less effective by setting the lights at an angle like that.
However, I have seen someone else's pic where they somehow appear to have tilted the lights so that they more closely match the curvature of the fascia. In that case, I would agree with your concern that the reflectors in the lenses could be prone to being less effective.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
Excellent write up with pics........did the flush mount last week and noticed that the one way of doing it was to use Frost king foam weather strip........did that first...then noticed that BarneePhife actually used Md Specialty Marine and automotive vinyl weatherstrip...Took mine back out and used the Md stuff....very nice look....took more of a forcing to get the lights in but they don't move and look very good and professional.........thought the foam might wick and hold water.......???????????? Thanks again BarneePhife
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 459
Likes: 5
From: Atlanta GA
You cannot see the foam
>>I have heard that the weatherstrip makes it look "cheap".
I did this last weekend - an easy one hour project. You cannot see the foam past the lights, so I don't see how it could look cheap. And the angle of the light seems unchanged, the top still sticks out a bit more than the bottom, like stock. And don't forget to paint the screws black! Here are some of my photos:
I did this last weekend - an easy one hour project. You cannot see the foam past the lights, so I don't see how it could look cheap. And the angle of the light seems unchanged, the top still sticks out a bit more than the bottom, like stock. And don't forget to paint the screws black! Here are some of my photos:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 2
From: Palm Beach Gardens Fla
Cruise-In IX Veteran
can anyone tell me where to get that md weather stripping, in nj i can't find it anywhere, the company (MD) only has 2 places it sells to here, and i can;t seem to get ahold of them.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 1
From: Enterprise Al
i did the conversion over the weekend and i couldnt find it either. i couldnt find any in black at lowes. they had white and brown. i got the brown and mounted it to the bumper instead of the light. works just as well and the light covers up all of the weather stripping.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 1
I mounted my weather stripping to the fascia as well. I tried over and over to use the md stripping on the light as shown in Barnies post. It was a bear to fit it in and impossible for me to get it even looking once I finally got the screws to take. I worked for an hour or two on one light. 
I ended up just putting the md right inside the opening and putting the lights in with the extended screws and spacers. I looks good and you can't see any of the weather stripping. 20 minute job.
I just did this last night so I really have not had time to decide if I like it or not. I initially do, but would rather have a seal of some sort around the edge of the lense. I might try again with some thinner stripping
I ended up just putting the md right inside the opening and putting the lights in with the extended screws and spacers. I looks good and you can't see any of the weather stripping. 20 minute job.
I just did this last night so I really have not had time to decide if I like it or not. I initially do, but would rather have a seal of some sort around the edge of the lense. I might try again with some thinner stripping