Will the Morimoto XB LED tail lights fit my 2014 to 2019 C7 Corvette?

Yes. The kit is a direct bolt-on for all 2014 to 2019 C7 Corvette models. It uses every factory mounting point, every factory connector, and ships with new gloss-black trim pieces.

How long does the C7 Corvette tail light install take?

Most first-time installers finish the job in 60 to 120 minutes. Adding the Backup Boost Bar adds about 15 minutes for drilling and routing. Installing matching XB side markers while the bumper is off adds another 10 minutes.

Do I need to modify wiring or splice anything?

No. The housings plug directly into the factory tail light connector on each side. The Backup Boost Bar uses a clean inline pigtail. Sequential turn signal and startup animation behavior is set with a pair of mode selector loops, not aftermarket programmers or extra modules.

Will the new tail lights cause hyper flash?

Not on a vehicle with stock front turn signals. Hyper flash can occur if non-OEM turn signals were previously installed elsewhere on the car. That symptom is caused by mismatched impedance with the original body control module expectations, not a defect in the rear housings.

What is the warranty on the Morimoto XB LED tail lights?

Every Morimoto product, including the C7 XB tail lights and the Backup Boost Bar, is backed by our five-year warranty and is verified for compliance by third-party labs.

C7 Corvette C8-Style LED Tail Lights Install Guide

There is something to be said about a Corvette with four classic oval tail lights, and there is also something to be said about the latest and greatest C8-style look. But if you own a C7, you might feel stuck right in the middle. We decided it was time to do something about that. So long as the rear end of your Vette is the only thing most people see as you fly by, it might as well look as good as it sounds. That is exactly why we developed our new C7 Corvette C8-style tail lights, and in this guide we walk you through everything we learned when we tested and installed them on a 2014-2019 Chevrolet Corvette C7.

Why Upgrade Your C7 Corvette Tail Lights

Our new C8-style XB LED tail lights for the C7 Corvette hit the nail right on the head when it comes to quality, performance, and a modernized look. These are a direct bolt-on upgrade for all Corvettes from 2014 to 2019, and everything is completely plug and play. The kit uses all of the stock mounting points, includes brand new gloss black trim pieces, and typically takes no more than one to two hours to install. If you have been searching for a set of C7 Corvette LED tail lights that finally brings the modern C8 aesthetic to the previous generation, this is the answer we built for you.

The C8-style light pipes that dominate each housing act as a low-intensity parking light and a high-intensity brake light, both of which illuminate in red. Above those, the reflectors operate as LED turn signals that can run in a standard on-off flashing mode or a sequential setup. One of those two reflectors also doubles as the white reverse light, which is plug and play with your factory reverse light circuit. It is a complete rethink of what the rear end of a C7 can look like, and we are proud of how clean the final result turned out.

What You Get in the Box

Every set of these C8-inspired tail lights for C7 Corvette ships with new gloss black trim pieces, all necessary hardware, and the mode selector wires you need to configure the turn signal and startup behavior. You can choose between an OEM-plus red lens or a sleeker smoke lens depending on the look you are going for. Both options carry the same C8-style light pipes and LED reflectors, so the choice really comes down to personal style.

There is also an optional backup boost bar. This is a plug-and-play LED reverse light that mounts to the top of your license plate frame and provides an extra 2700 lumens of controlled light output when backing up. Morimoto customers like to see where they are going, no matter the direction, and this add-on makes a real difference in dark driveways and parking garages. You can find the full lineup along with matching parts for your Morimoto XB LED tail lights C7 package and browse related upgrades if you want to complete the whole rear-end refresh.

Tools and Prep Before You Start

Before we dug in, we gathered a T15 Torx driver, a 7mm and 10mm socket with an extension, a trim removal tool, a small hooked pick, and a Phillips head screwdriver for the license plate frame. If you are adding the backup boost bar, you will also need a 5/16 inch drill bit. Having a padded stand or a soft surface ready to set the bumper cover on will save your paint, so plan that ahead of time.

Step 1: Remove the Rear Bumper Cover

We started by raising the rear hatch of the car. Beginning at one end and working across, we pulled the rear hatch weather stripping forward, releasing the clips as we went. Using a T15 Torx driver, we removed the ten T15 screws that secure the top of the bumper to the car underneath the weather stripping. Next, we removed the two 10mm bolts from above the exhaust tips (an extension is needed to reach them), then the five 7mm bolts along the bottom corner of the bumper cover.

Removing rear bumper cover bolts on a C7 Corvette — Removing the bumper cover bolts and weather stripping to access the tail light housings.

We then removed the splash guard behind each rear wheel by prying forward with a trim removal tool to release the five clips, followed by the two T15 screws that were hidden underneath. With those out of the way, the sides of the bumper cover were free to pull back.

Step 2: Release the Tail Light Bezel

Next, we inserted a small hooked pick into the vents on the lower corner of the tail light bezel and slowly but firmly pulled out until the plastic tab securing the corner released. From there, we used a trim removal tool to work our way around the bezel and release the rest of the tabs. Be ready for the bezel to come loose once all the tabs let go.

Prying off the tail light bezel on a C7 Corvette — Releasing the plastic tabs to remove the factory tail light bezel.

With the bezel off, we removed the 7mm or T15 bumper cover bolt (it varies by car) hidden behind it, then repeated the entire process on the opposite side.

Step 3: Fully Remove the Bumper Cover

We grabbed the rear bumper cover at the top corner and the front edge behind the wheel and pulled it back to release it from the vehicle on both sides. With the sides released, we leaned the bumper away from the car. Behind the cover are two connectors, one for the rear lights and one for the rear parking sensors, and we disconnected both. We then located the manual hatch release, pried its harness clip loose, disconnected it, and slid it out. After that, the bumper cover pulled fully off. We set it face down on a soft surface and disconnected the tail light plug on each housing.

Step 4: Remove the Factory Tail Lights

To free each tail light housing, we removed the four 7mm bolts securing it to the bumper cover and pulled the assemblies out. This is also the perfect moment to swap side markers if you plan to, since the bumper is already off the car.

Step 5: Install the Optional Backup Boost Bar

If you are running the backup boost bar along with your tail lights, this is the stage to do it. We used a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the license plate frame hardware, then drilled a 5/16 inch hole in the rear bumper cover, making sure the back side of the drilling area was clear before we started.

Installing the Morimoto backup boost bar on a C7 Corvette license plate frame — Drilling a 5/16 inch hole and routing the backup boost bar wiring through the bumper cover.

We passed the boost wiring through the hole, seated the grommet into place, positioned the backup boost bar over the license plate, and reinstalled the plate screws. From there we routed the boost bar wiring up inside the bumper cover to the right side tail light and secured any loose or excess wiring. It really is that easy.

Step 6: Configure Turn Signals and Startup Sequence

Before buttoning everything back up, we configured the startup sequence and turn signals to our preference. You can set the turn signals as sequential or fade-off, and you can enable or disable the startup sequence entirely. Our install PDF shows exactly how each mode selector loop is set.

Adjusting the mode selector wires on Morimoto XB tail lights — Configuring sequential turn signals and startup sequence via the mode selector wires.

We routed the green and yellow mode selector wires through the included wire holder and installed the holder onto the outermost tail light mounting tab. This clever detail lets you access the mode selector loops later by simply removing the root tail light bezel, so you can swap your configuration after installation without pulling the whole bumper.

Step 7: Bolt On the New Housings and Reassemble

Next, we bolted each new tail light onto the bumper using the same four 7mm bolts we removed from the factory lights. We connected the vehicle’s tail light connectors to the main connector on the back of each housing, and connected the boost bar wiring on the right side tail light for those running that option.

Reinstalling the tail light housing using the factory 7mm bolts.

With the bumper still off, swapping the side markers is a breeze too. You just pop out the old ones with the press clips, unplug the connector, and connect the new ones. We then reassembled the rear end in the reverse order of disassembly, hopped in the car, and tested every function to confirm everything worked properly. The whole electrical side is completely plug and play, and it takes just a couple of minutes to verify.

Style Options and Performance

In terms of style, these tail lights are available with an OEM-plus red lens or, if you want something a little more sleek and neutral, a smoke lens that looks awesome. Both share the same C8-style light pipes and reflector layout, so the performance is identical between them.

The smoke lens option gives the C7 Corvette a sleek, modern look with C8-style light pipes.

The parking lights were somewhat problematic on earlier generation Morimoto tail lights for the C7, but our engineers completely worked those kinks out on these. They are now fully plug and play and problem free. The reflectors run as LED turn signals in either standard flashing or sequential mode, and one of them doubles as the white reverse light that ties directly into your factory reverse circuit.

The Backup Boost Bar in Action

The tail lights come standard with powerful LED reverse lights built right into the housing, but the optional backup boost system takes it further. That extra 2700 lumens of controlled output makes reversing at night noticeably clearer, and because it mounts to the license plate frame, it spreads light exactly where you need it.

The backup boost bar adds 2700 lumens of extra reverse lighting for improved visibility.

Here at Morimoto, we pride ourselves in offering stylish, high-performance, and safe products for serious enthusiasts, which is why all of our products are verified by trusted third-party labs for compliance and backed with an industry-leading 5-year warranty. If you want to complete the transformation, we also offer matching C8-style headlights and smoke side markers, and you can find the whole range of parts for your C7 Corvette to finish the build the right way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What years of Corvette fit these C8-style tail lights?

These Morimoto XB LED tail lights are a direct bolt-on fit for all C7 Corvettes from 2014 to 2019, using the factory mounting points.

Is the installation truly plug and play?

Yes, the tail lights connect to the factory harness and use stock mounting locations, with no cutting or splicing required. Most installs take one to two hours.

What is the backup boost bar and do I need it?

The backup boost bar is an optional LED reverse light that mounts to the license plate frame and adds 2700 lumens of extra reverse lighting. It requires drilling a 5/16 inch hole in the bumper cover to route the wiring, but it is not required for the tail lights to function.

Can I customize the turn signal and startup sequence?

Yes, the tail lights allow you to choose between sequential or fade-off turn signals and enable or disable a startup light sequence, all configurable through simple mode selector wires accessible behind the tail light bezel.

What lens and light options are available?

The tail lights are available in an OEM-plus red lens or a sleeker smoke lens, and feature C8-style light pipes for parking and brake functions plus LED reflectors that double as turn signals and reverse lights.

Meet the Experts Behind Morimoto

Jimmy Nguyen – Engineering Manager
Jimmy leads engineering at Morimoto, bringing experience across customer support, supplier management, design engineering, and validation testing. His work ensures Morimoto lighting systems are engineered for real-world reliability and long-term performance.

Mike Hicks – Quality Control Manager
Mike oversees quality assurance at Morimoto, with a background spanning returns testing, RMA analysis, vendor quality control, and manufacturer scorecards. His focus is continuous improvement and accountability across the product lifecycle.