anyChevy

If converting the two inner reverse lights to stop and tail lights, do I need to change the chrome housing,
or just the lense globe and pigtail ?

Sky65

I would think all you need is the bulb sockets and lenses but I'm not sure how the sockets attach.

Vega$Vette

Replace the single socket with a double. They just twist in from the backside of the housing. Wire new double pigtail to outer and install 1157 bulb and red lens.

cor66vette

If you want the two inner lights to function as directionals ONLY, then just power the socket from the directional feed and leave the socket as a single prong. And vice versa, if you want them to function as brake lights ONLY, tap into the brake feed. As Vega$Vette stated in the prior post, you'll need a two prong socket and 1157 bulb if you want them to act as turn indicators AND brake lights.

anyChevy

Okay I found the pigtail @ Zip, where can I get the socket ? I can't find it anyhwere, you sure they come out ?



The bulb and lense in a no brainer.

Vega$Vette

The socket is built into the housing.

Just twist the existing pigtail out. Turn counter clockwise looking from the rear or clockwise looking at it from the side the pigtail goes into.

Twist in the new one, tie in the wires and you're good.

anyChevy

So, the existing 2 inner backup light sockets that accept single fillament bulbs, will accept the stop & tail light pigtail and dual filament bulbs with offset pins ?

Vega$Vette

Yes

anyChevy

Thanks for clearing that up.
Cheers
Dave

BADBIRDCAGE

They didn't on mine.

Vega$Vette

I just did mine 2 weeks ago. Changed the PT and the bulb all worked great

5thvet

Don't you have to file off that higher nub on the bulb?

BADBIRDCAGE

Won't say that it didn't work for you but the pig tail has nothing to do with the physical socket itself in relation to the bulb mount. Single filament bulb has two locking tabs at the bottom of the bulb, dual filament bulb has locking tabs offset to assure correct alignment on bright and dim filament. I wasn't able to slide a dual filament bulb into place and turn it to lock.

For now I just changed the inner position lenses from clear to red and spliced the brake/turn signal circuit into that socket. With lights on there are two tail lamps. When you hit the brakes there are four brake lamps. Kind of like having a third brake light to draw attention. When you use the turn signals whichever side is blinking blinks two lamps.

Vega$Vette

When I bought the car it had a single pigtail and a 1156 bulb in the inner lights with a red lens. I replaced it with a double pigtail plus the 1157 and it all works perfect.

Maybe there was a single pigtail stuck in a double housing but both the 1156 and 1157 bulbs plugged right in.

anyChevy

From memory, the pot metal bulb socket is rivited in into the chrome housing and isn't available seperately.
So, do I need complete inner tail light assemblies to make this work (properly) or not ?

BADBIRDCAGE

I had purchased reproduction back up lamp assemblies for my car manufactured by Trim Parts. The bulb socket is swedged in and it is not replaceable. I have since purchased new inner tail lamp assemblies, manufactured by Trim Parts, and they are sitting in the boxes as I have been too lazy to install them as of yet. I have also spoken with a couple of friends who tell me to leave it alone as the "third brake light" appearance is an attention getter to anyone following when the lights are on.

During daylight hours it just looks like a normal four tail light vehicle as signals and brake lights all come on. At night the change from a two tail lamp vehicle to a four brake lamp vehicle or the change from one to two turn signal lamps catches your eye.

I'll see if I can get a friend to take and post some video.

anyChevy

I understand making the 2 inners either brake & indictor, or just tail lights would be the easiest solution, but I'm trying to convert them to stop & tail, so they do the same job as the 2 outers, as on a 63-65 without backup lights.
The more lighting I have (day or night) at the back of the car, the better.

BADBIRDCAGE

You are absolutely correct. That way if you lose one you still have three tail lights. I'll get around to it. Weather needs to warm up some.

b_pappy

Good idea, What will you use for back up lights afterwards? I was thinking along these same lines and mount some white LEDs up under the rear pan out of sight that would illuminate the ground.
Bruce

anyChevy

Nothing, I don't need them, but I suppose you could mount something in the licence plate frame.