Thoughts on 3rd brake light

[Mike A]

A little ambivalent on this topic. No argument with the safety issue , especially for a driver, but there is  the fact that the car wasn’t penned with one and trying to accommodate requires an additional lump and wires somewhere. I’m trying to decide whether I leave this  in place or remove it for a stock appearance. I tried to make it as low key and low profile as possible, shaping the housing to conform to the window and interior trim was a hassle but There’s no reflection back into the car. I m leaning on keeping it for awhile..

 

Edited July 7, 2020 by Mike A

[irshmerc]

Certainly doesn't look horrendously out of place, and if it keeps some langer off your back bumper why not. Much better looking than the abomination mercedes used to put on the back of the 107's of the same period.

 

Good luck

[Son of Marty]

Yes on the 3rd light it's a good idea but unfortunately it's trained lazy drivers to just peer over their cel phones at the rear window of the car ahead. 

[Jae]

I like it and was considering adding one also, but I ended up putting LED blinking brake bulbs in my roundie. It’s annoying to whomever is behind me and at least it gets their attention especially the texting while driving idiots.

Edited July 7, 2020 by Jae

[Mike Self]

There are some very thin--almost un-noticeable until lit--LED strip brake lights that mount to the upper rubber backlight gasket.  Since our cars are pretty low, the higher the better for 3rd brake lights, and I like the idea of invisibility when not functioning.  Check the archives for some very subtle units.  It's on my to-do list before I get rear-ended by either a texter or some other clueless driver...

 

mike

[adawil2002]

Apena LED.

 

 

[NYNick]

I did something similar to Andrew's above. I think somebody else here suggested them. Lights are here.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRO844G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

They're a bit smaller than Andrews, unobtrusive and I tucked the wire into the rubber window gasket. I then ran the wire to the taillights.

I love them.

 

I think the purist gurus would give you a pass on this safety feature, unless you're trying to win a concours event.

[mvliotta]

1 hour ago, NYNick said:

 

I did something similar to Andrew's above. I think somebody else here suggested them. Lights are here.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRO844G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

+1

I also added an intermittent flashing module to this. 
 

Not noticeable when off, annoying to the person behind you when breaks applied...exactly what you want to avoid getting rear-ended. 

[adawil2002]

Here's how to make an LED Strip 3rd Brake Light, these directions are for BMW E9s and 2002s, so your measurements for extension wires may differ.

Here's how to make one and install it.
The 3rd brake light is an LED strip 1 foot long Alpena 180°red with 60" of additional red & black wire soldered with heat shrink insulation at the joints. Then red & black alligator clips soldered to the wire ends. Then put little pieces of electrical tape around the wires to hold them together. It attaches to the upper center of the rear window seal with the wires run under the lip of the seal to a hole under the parcel shelf. Then under the white fender welting, under the gas tank trunk board to the brake light tab and ground on the passenger side tail light.

Need a soldering iron, flux, solder, Alpena LED, extension wires, heat shrink tubing, electrical tape and alligator clips or tap into brake light circuit and ground.

Alpena lights are available at Advance Auto Parts or on ebay. They come in 180° and side light red. 180s are for low angle roof lines, side lights for steep angles.They have white logos and cut lines which I color out with Industrial Grade Black Sharpie

I used to buy the extension wire, heat shrink tubing and alligator clips at Radio Shack.

If you have any questions I'm happy to answer.

[Mike A]

Thanks for the comments. I looked at  the Alpena version . I was on the verge of purchasing but was concerned about trying to hide the wire. My piece flashes briefly as well and the connection to both the brake light and a constant 12v is pretty simple without running any wire inside. I’ll leave it for now 

[wojo]

I bought the Hella model 38 3rd brake light from Daniel Stern.  Because I'm 6'7", when the painting is finished, it will be mounted low as to not block my rear view.  

[PaulTWinterton]

9 minutes ago, wojo said:

I bought the Hella model 38 3rd brake light from Daniel Stern.

 

+1

I'm more than happy with it.  It looks stock, it does the job and was dead simple to splice into the existing wiring. 

Since then, I added Classic Auto LEDs taillights.  UNBELIEVABLE! Nobody is riding up my *ss ever again.  As bright as any modern car.  Fantastic.  Reversible upgrade as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[M3M3]

1 hour ago, PaulTWinterton said:

 

+1

I'm more than happy with it.  It looks stock, it does the job and was dead simple to splice into the existing wiring. 

Since then, I added Classic Auto LEDs taillights.  UNBELIEVABLE! Nobody is riding up my *ss ever again.  As bright as any modern car.  Fantastic.  Reversible upgrade as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

+2

Hella looks like itwas factory, works great, 10min install.

[halboyles]

Here's an idea!

 

[71bmr02]

I came across a volkswagen beetle hella rear fog light with red lense.  installed a led bulb and now have an old school highmount setup.