MadMikeyL

I am doing some work on my uncle's 82 vette, and one of the issues is the headlight system. I have seen pictures of cars where they basically removed the whole pop-up system and fitted in some headlight buckets, with a couple of square sealed beams sitting in there, but I can't seem to find any kits to convert it over. Does a kit exist, and if so, does anyone know where I can get one? Thanks.

Mike

elevatordude

Are these the type you need? If so i have a set.

elevatordude

I just looked at ecklers and mine are for 68-74 you need these 75-82.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...0&dept_id=1353

bj1k

Have you considered the type that sit slightly above the surface with small round halogen bulbs and a plastic cover that conformes to the shape of the round headlights? They look much better and they look more modern . The rectangular headlights are a dated item from the 70's. Maybe if someone has a picture of the ones I described , they will post it for you.

vettebuyer6369

Is your uncle aware of the value damage you are doing to the car? You might give him a head-up first.

The13Bats

I love the rectangle recessed lamps...very cool custom trick that doesn't mod the car....so no damage to car or resale value.....the purists hate it,

It solves the bug eyed look of pop ups, plus the rectangle lamps go better with the lines of the car the round lamps tend to break up flow...be sure to rewire the quad rectangle lamps when you install in a C3...it is not a plug and play

And be sure to get the right set up for your year car....I believe I have a used set.

bj1k

What you are describing are like old road racer lights...wicked cool for the vintage racer look but way too bug eyed and killing the lines for my tastes

Jclgodale3

I like em' on certain cars

mrvette

Overall, OK, but those headlights are a heavy weight to carry for a otherwise decent/slick looking car....

I just tired of the old over round antiquated look, it's no longer becoming on a sleek car like the shark....something much more modern is necessary, I used to have Eckler's scoops in my car also, first version after the lights were hit by a damn deer in '98....I was thinking of altering the operation and putting in lower profile bulbs, but it never got there...

those over large doors look like antiquated crap anyway, sour grapes, I Know....
More modern bulbs are in order, and the first person coming out with a kit using them can clean up....

...Roger...

This needs to be considered.
If you decide to do it anyway make absolutely certain you get a quality setup that the headlights can be easily adjusted up and down and side to side. Many of the changerovers have very very poor headlight adjustment hardware.
(I would try to find a setup that is totally bolt in and by all means save the parts you take out.)

Easy Mike

The stock pop system can be restored to 100% functionality for way, way less than what you're going to spend on the Eckler's conversion.

bj1k

No , the type I was referring to are much neater. The sit completely in the original opening , not on top . The type you showed look like something that you would see on a race car. The ones I referred to have small round halogen bulbs. Not my thing but they look good for fixed style headlights.

Rock'n Old

I think this is a great solution.

The13Bats

Ecklers do not mod the car...you can return to stock,
Have you seen many first hand? what company were junk?
Ecklers are top shelf...as are the ones I have for sale, all metal hardware and all adjustments are tight, too many people do not rewire for quad lights and just plug in and the light then is wrong.

Well perhaps since Eckelrs went up to 600.00 but used sets are sold all the time on craisglist and fleabay even my new set is just 250.00 most stock headlight stuff adds up quick.

...Roger...

I've only actually had 3 in my shop to look at over the years and all 3 were not very good quality. I attempted to adjust 1 of them and got it close but the adjusters run out before I could get them to spec.
I have no clue as to what company made them but since you say Ecklers are good then these were most likely not from Ecklers.
There were several guys in Dayton that used to make fiberglass parts for Corvettes , its possible the ones I was seeing around town and at shows were all home grown.

The13Bats

I am not in the parts business but I do sell a few parts,
The recessed headlights I sell like ecklers does/did...granted I have not seen an Ecklers set in 10 years used all metal adjusters...which is a must,

Were the lamps rewired, if not rewired the wrong bulb is on at the wrong time...a big mess they must be wired like a 80 trans am for example a car that came with quad rectangle lamps

If the adjuster ran out then it would tell me something perhaps was wrong with the fiberglass parts....too thick or too thin fiberglass where the adjuster mounts would do this too....I have had to remove the adjuster grind down the pad then reinstall it to be able to adjust the lamps...but never with an Ecklers set....as you see I judge glass by what Ecklers used to make.

bstbrgr

I have set call me at 630-772-0554
thanks Strat Matsas

Wuttin

I had them on my 79 when I bought it, but recently restored to pop-ups. I agree with the responder who stated repair the pop-ups is cheaper (and likely easier) than replace.

To the OP, as stated Eckler's sells a kit which is (IMHO) remarkably overpriced. Shop for used.

The kit does not include covers; they are an extra pile of $$; I made my own which worked out well.





I liked the look but I didn't like how the light was cut off by the edges of the frames..tunnel vision.

Best of luck,
Steve

markdtn

What is wrong with what you have? The pop-up lights are part of the smoothness of the C3 package IMHO.

rudolph schenker