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Tail light conversion on 82

Posted: 2/3/06 4:14pmMessage 1 of 9

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zgator

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Savannah, GA - USA

Joined: 1/20/2005

Posts: 936

Vette(s): 1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)

Hope this is the right place for this post.I want to change my backup lights for red/stop lights.I don't want to go with the bubble light conversion so I've got another pair of stock 82 stop light/running lens.How can I do this without doing the bubba thing.Hopefully this can be done so I can put back to stock if need be.I'm not very electrical minded so please break in down in laymans terms.Thanks.I'm hoping someone has done this.I don't want to buy the bubble conversion just for the wireing and have no use for the bubble lens.

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Tail light conversion on 82

Posted: 2/3/06 8:50pmMessage 2 of 9

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Ron 78

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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA

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It shouldnt be a problem,all you have to do is tap into your regular wires on your original brake - parking lights ,and run an extra wire from each wire over to the next light .you can do this easily with a connector called a scotchlok it instantly taps into one wire and adds an extra lead,you will have to get rid of the bulb holder for the back up lights ,that is only for a single contact bulb and add a dual contact bulb holder,you will need 2 of them,1 for each side,you should be able to get the scotch loks and the sockets at your local auto parts store.take 1 of your replacement tail lights with you so you can be sure that the socket will fit it correctly,b-4 you get it all wired up and find out the socket wont fit into the back of the lens.oops almost forgot,buy some extra wire if you dont have some,.P.S.,B4 you do this I would check with your state inspection station,a lot of states wont pass a vehicle if it doesn't have back up lights,its a safety thing ,they want you to see what you are going to back over,aint that silly,if you have any questions just ask we'll help you out

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Tail light conversion on 82

Posted: 2/3/06 9:06pmMessage 3 of 9

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Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Ron has it all covered, here!

One other thought/caution, tho. If you are adding two more brake/turn sig. lights in the circuit, you may need to install a heavy-duty flasher in place of the stock one. Depending on how good the one you have is, and the specs on it, the turn signals may blink too fast with the extra load. Just a thought.

Joel Adams
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Tail light conversion on 82

Posted: 2/4/06 11:29amMessage 4 of 9

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zgator

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Savannah, GA - USA

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Posts: 936

Vette(s): 1982CE,32,000 and counting. (fast!!) 1981 Vette, black on black. ZZ4 (quick!!)

Thanks.Both of you.That really helps.We don't have any insp. here in GA so that won't be a problem.I just want to be sure I can undo this if needed

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Tail light conversion on 82

Posted: 2/4/06 12:15pmMessage 5 of 9

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gellisvette

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PERRYSBURG, OH - USA

Joined: 4/23/2004

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Vette(s): 1975 T-Tops,Lite Custom work,Many engine mod. 700R4 trans. body is shaved,17" wheels bf goodrich g-force tires,heavy sway bars front&rear rack&pinion steering,550 slolom springs with gas shocks.

Cool idea!!

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Tail light conversion on 82

Posted: 2/4/06 1:46pmMessage 6 of 9

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Ron 78

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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA

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I saw a Vette once that had 6 tail lights once,and they were set up sequencially like mercury did with the Couger,blinking from the inner to middle to outer it was cool they probably used a Couger system

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Tail light conversion on 82

Posted: 2/4/06 7:22pmMessage 7 of 9

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kstyer

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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

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Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

All well and good, to a point.

I recommend NOT using Scotch Locks. Granted they work well for interior work. But exposed to the weather they corrode. Even if the car is kept in a garage, they corrode. They will be fine for a while, perhaps even a few years, but then you will get problems with not only the new lights, but the old ones as well. The corrosion will spread to the wires.

Crimp connectors are a bit better, but not much. There are weather proof shrink type crimp connectors. First you crimp, then heat. They seal completely weather proof. You can also solder and heat shrink the connections.

If you do use the Scotch locks, be sure to coat them completely to prevent corrosion. SIlicone gasket sealer will work if everything is clean.

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(some day, no strike that, October 2008 it turned red, still in progress!)

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Tail light conversion on 82

Posted: 2/4/06 9:05pmMessage 8 of 9

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lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

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Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Good call Ken! I experienced this first hand. I have used crimp connecters and filled the ends with liquid tape. This tends to work well if it's a tough spot to get at with a soldering iron.

Luke

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