White tail lamps?

[SJLenz1340]

So I was noodling about looking for trim rings for the tail lamps lens(s) for my 67 C10 given that mine are missing, and noticed that all replacement lens(s) were red. Mine are white, so the question is does anyone else have white lens for tail lamps? And perhaps the bigger question is why?

[toiletbowl54]

I have red lenses with 1157 bulbs on mine. My guess is ,and that is all it is, your are running red LED bulbs.

[Dwyert4]

I have clear with red led bulbs. I believe I got them from Brothers.

[Mollzyie]

Do u mean the reverse light ?

[SJLenz1340]

Check the picture. There are 1157 bulbs behind the lenses with a rather foolish plastic cover over the bulb. I can see that melting some day. I was just wondering if this was factory at some point, or someone's idea of customization.
Although I did have law enforcement follow me one day till I hit the brakes and he saw the red light.

This all started while searching for replacement trim. Curious minds just have to know.

[franken]

Not likely factory and not very legal.

[davepl]

The federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) requires tail lights be red and that the vehicle have red reflectors on the back. I won't get too preachy, but there are reasons for this kind of stuff....

As for me, I want to make it as hard to rear end me as possible. Scary enough driving these things!

[SJLenz1340]

So it sounds as if this is someone's idea of custom lighting.
So now it's new lenses and trim!

[Mollzyie]

Previous owner had em on truck .... When I opened box of stuff that came w truck SURPRISE it had a set of blue dot tails ! Was glad to get rid of clears .

[Daffy84]

Nice, I want a set of blue dots for my 72

[Mollzyie]

Originally Posted by Daffy84

Nice, I want a set of blue dots for my 72

Iv searched the web for aftermarket c10 blue dot tails and maybe it's me but i never found any ...... after looking at them I think po might of made them

[Overdriven]

Originally Posted by davepl

The federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) requires tail lights be red and that the vehicle have red reflectors on the back. I won't get too preachy, but there are reasons for this kind of stuff....

As for me, I want to make it as hard to rear end me as possible. Scary enough driving these things!

Just to go into more detail, technically speaking tail light lenses don't need to be red. The light emitted from the tail lights must be red though.

Red reflectors are required on the rear of the vehicle. The reflectors can be separate from the tail lights or integrated into them. As long as the reflectors meet the surface area requirements they can be placed anywhere.

So clear tail lights are legal as long as the rear of your vehicle meets the above requirements. In fact some of the 2000's Mini Coopers came with clear tail light lenses and bumper mounted red reflectors from the factory.

I agree with davepl though, I want to make my vehicle easy to see. Often the bulb solution for clear tails doesn't emit the greatest looking light and looks subpar when not lit. Many are actually dipped in a plastic to create a coating but it usually fades pretty quick. Red LED bulbs help but then there's the reflector issue. Get hit or stopped by a cop who knows his stuff and you'll probably be wishing for red tail lenses.

[skytop]

I have had the 'European' clear (white) lenses for a few years and am now really tired of the no contrast look. The red lenses are far more colorful and attractive. The red lens set off the entire rear end of the truck. I am reinstalling the red lenses. That's my opinion.