clear tail lenses
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 514
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From: Northern Colorado
I have not found another source for those other than Memo. Be sure to check with your local authorities before you run them on the street, unless you're just going to use them for show. In most states (and I thought federally, but not sure) clear tail lenses that "rely on a red bulb" for red color are now illegal. Most of the "altezza" style tail lights you see now have the red reflector stuff built in. Some of my local partshouses will not even order red-tinted bulbs anymore because of liability issues with their legality. There is still one truck running around locally with these lenses, but I see him pulled over often - guess he's just bullheaded about that. His don't even shine very red anymore - almost amberish - probably why he attracts the attention, but can't get any red bulbs anymore unless he gets them off the internet.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 296
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That depends on the state you live in. I looked it up in the Ca vehicle code book and found out that as long as your lenses light up in the correct color then you are O.K. (this also depends on you gvw). In the rear you must have two rear facing red reflectors (one per side) that are visable with high-beams from a distance of 200 feet. All the others must just light up in the correct color. You can find bulbs at Autolumination.com . They sell all kinds of colored bulbs. I have some red LED bulbs from them that are very red and very bright in my clear lenses. (see my gallery for pics of lenses).
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: Arcade, Georgia
Originally Posted by chrono4
rnovrit, thats what they are saying about it. With these lenses, you don't have any red reflectors on the rear, and that would be the illegal part of it.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 296
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I understand that part. Your tail lights do not have to have the red reflector part built into them. You can put a red reflector on either side of the rear bumper or under the bumper or like I'm going to do: on the rear of the frame rails just below the roll pan. As long as there is some sort of red reflector facing the rear on each side. You can have the white lenses as long as you add the red reflectors somewhere.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2
From: Elkhart IN
That's true, the reflector doesn't have to be in the lens. That would work, sounds like a plan
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
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From: pasadena tx.
There is one thing I noticed It seems that most of the vehicles you see running around with rear end collision damage have those clear tail light lenses so just a thought to think about while your stoping or stoped at a light or what ever and you are hearing the sound of locked up brakes bering down on your back bumper those little 1157's that are dyed red just do not illuminate as bright as the clear bulbs in the reflector projecting thru a red lense that is about4''x10'' it would realy suck to have to repair your truck when some little old lady says ''I COULD NOT SEE YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS'' just a little helpful advice Im 48 I think they are cool but me myself have had my heart skip a beat when you don't catch them lit up very bright and they are stoped or turning.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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That is why you don't use regular 1157 bulbs with a colored coating. Use the LED lights that are way brighter and you don't have to worry about the color changing/fading. There is also this thing called a " safe following distance" 1 car length per 10 miles per hour as a rule of thumb. I know we don't live in a perfect world so that is not always possible but leaving a little extra space is always a safe idea.
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