3rd Brake Light Installation Options

[Notifier]

Just wondering what others on here have done to add a third brake light to their cars? Considering adding it on mine, first for more visibility to others, second just in case one of the rear circuit boards goes bad suddenly.

This thread (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1352-LED-3rd-brake-light-install-still-experimental-stage-not-yet-fixed&highlight=light) does discuss it a little, but only shows two different variations.


I would rather stick with an "old school" look - I'm not a big fan of LED bulbs on a 30-year-old car so I would prefer incandescent bulbs. Mount the light under the top louver, and if I could also find a smoked out lens I think it would be cool for it to almost disappear when not lit.

So far, I have found these two:

http://image4.jcwstatics.com/product_images/images/small/G_13584G_SW_1.jpg http://image2.jcwstatics.com/product_images/images/small/G_13589G_SW_1.jpg

My thought was to buy two, mount each to either side of the center support on the louver, which would give me 12" of light total. The second one pictured I don't think will work because where it mounts looks like it's slightly curved, but I like the housing. And both lenses are bright red (not smoked).

If anyone is willing to post some pictures of their lights on here that would be helpful too!

[Chris 16409]

This is the style I have on my car:

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/brake-light-3rd-1.jpg

GM used them on Corvettes and I believe Firebirds/Cameros.

[jawn101]

This is the style I have on my car:

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/brake-light-3rd-1.jpg

GM used them on Corvettes and I believe Firebirds/Cameros.

I had considered that one too (it's Hervey's, that's even his pic:)) but decided I'd rather not make those changes. Some states will force you to but I'm lucky that CA isn't one of them.

Edit: here's a pic from John's site of the 3rd lamp installed
http://specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/brake-light-3rd.jpg

[Cory W]

One of the first things I did with my car was add my CHMSL (Center High Mount Stop Lamp). It wasn't a case of legislation, nor pressure from any outside source.

My rationale was as follows: Up here, most people drive trucks or SUVs. Of those, most don't consider it a truck unless it's a 4X4. These things look like they can block out the sun when parked near you, and I wanted to take no chances these people wouldn't see my factory brake lights in time to avoid driving right over me.

For the record, while not your preference, I'm running with the low profile LED unit off the Jimmy/Blazer, Suburban, or Astro/Safari from the late 90s into the 2000s. They're cheap and plentiful at the wrecking yard of your choice. All you need to remove them is a phillips head screwdriver, little prybar (or flathead screwdriver, to break the adhesive weatherstrip seal,) and wire cutting pliers. It's placed on top of the top louver, at the rear edge, centered.

[NVAPILOT]

I will be adding the 3rd brake light, an LED strip above the rear window. I may also have amber on the ends. You will only see the lights when they are on. Outside will not be changed.

I may also put on a fancy LED flasher for the lights.

Dave
2260

Reno

[Notifier]

I really don't want to put it on top of the louvers. I wouldn't mind getting two of the "Corvette" types and mounting them upside down underneath the top louver. What model year were they from?

[jmettee]

I installed the high mount LED unit used on a late 90's model Suburban along with a blinker unit. I had initially tried to get one what mounted under the louvers, but ended up with a top-mount. It ended up being a really clean installation & I think looks original.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhc_cs6ha0w

[Dangermouse]

Justin, or others,

Is the unit from the Suburban just held on with adhesive?

[jmettee]

Justin, or others,

Is the unit from the Suburban just held on with adhesive?

Nope, screws. I (VERY carefully) laid out the holes & made sure the unit was centered & exactly where I wanted it before drilling. You need 2 holes for the mount & 1 for the wires to pass through. The good thing is you can always fiberglass the holes & go back to original with only a little work. Not sure I would ever want to remove this safety feature for such a low car.

[Notifier]

My thought was to use the double sided foam tape to mount them. Not the cheap stuff but what they call 3M Supermount I believe. You just have to make sure both surfaces are clean and smooth to get good contact. And if you ever need to remove it, it doesn't leave that sticky residue behind.

[Cory W]

I only used the 3M double sided adhesive for mine. 3 years on and it's fine.

Still had to drill the hole for the wiring, though. As JM said, it would take nothing to fill and respray to go back to stock, but that'll never happen in Truck Country.

[DMCVegas]

I had considered that one too (it's Hervey's, that's even his pic:)) but decided I'd rather not make those changes. Some states will force you to but I'm lucky that CA isn't one of them.

Edit: here's a pic from John's site of the 3rd lamp installed
http://specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/brake-light-3rd.jpg

I've never heard of a state demanding a retrofit of a CHSML in all my time on the DML or elsewhere. Is this a new law somewhere?

I have this same exact lamp on my louvers as well. Except that the lenses are pulled flush the the edge of the Louver instead of sitting back as you see in the picture here:

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3960/341/22397670135_large.jpghttp://www.entermyworld.com/cat/custom/modica11x1.jpghttp://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3960/341/22397670138_large.jpg
It looks totally stock to the point where I've had several people over the years, including a former DeLorean salesman who asked me if the CHMSL was actually a factory production change. When you push the CHMSL out to the edge like this it looks MUCH cleaner since it still sits below the roof line. Also unlike the rounded Suburban LED unit, the Corvette light is angular and will match perfectly in both shape and color to the louvers. Hell, after driving around for years with one on my car and always seeing it when I walk up to it, DeLoreans WITHOUT one look naked to me.:biggrin:

To each their own, but I personally cannot stand the look of the CHSML mounted below the louvers. It's not symmetrical since it's split on half by the Louver's "spine", and IMO looks like a cheap universal part someone fished out of the bargain bin @ Pep Boys because of that. You NEVER see a CHMSL split in two on any production car.

If you drill your louvers, you can ALWAYS easily fiberglass the holes back in and no one would ever know that they were there. And even if you had to replace those louvers, they're currently going for $508.05 over @ DMCH. That's just as much as, if not sometimes cheaper than your insurance deductible you'd pay if someone smashed into the rear of your car. Plus if you're a Daily Driver you might even get a cut in your rates too. Which brings me too:


One of the first things I did with my car was add my CHMSL (Center High Mount Stop Lamp). It wasn't a case of legislation, nor pressure from any outside source.

My rationale was as follows: Up here, most people drive trucks or SUVs. Of those, most don't consider it a truck unless it's a 4X4. These things look like they can block out the sun when parked near you, and I wanted to take no chances these people wouldn't see my factory brake lights in time to avoid driving right over me.

Don Steger was the one who installed my CHMSL at my request, and it was the first thing I ever had done to 6585. We talked about it, and he applauded it and was telling me a story about the invention of the CHSML he'd heard. Taxi cabs were some of the worst vehicles involving rear-end collisions, but once the CHSMLs were installed, they cut accidents in half because that light is right in people's range of vision. He also said that now days people don't look for side brake lights, they focus on the center light to warn them. And I'll be damned if he wasn't right. A burned out tail lamp on a modern or even older car doesn't really affect my braking time, because I'm not expecting to see it, plus most of those cars aren't on the road much anymore. But when a CHSML is burned out on a new car, I've noticed that drivers I've ridden with as a passenger don't always stop as quickly. And when you're driving something super-distracting like a DeLorean, every little bit helps.

If need be, think about it this way: If you had to modify your louvers, and were given a choice to either drill 2 holes, and splice the wires into your brake lights, or have the entire back end of your car crushed by letting another car hit it at speed, which would you choose? If you insist upon the unit that mounts under the louvers and use sticky tape, that's fine. Just get it done to save your car.

But DON'T install a flashing brake light module for the CHSML. Those things are annoying as hell and do nothing but anger other drivers and cause road rage, and that is the last thing you need while driving. Aside from that, they are actually illegal. Mercedes-Benz was given an exemption to test the lights for testing purposes, but you'll notice that other manufacturers such as Toyota and GM quickly stopped making flashing CHSML lamps years ago and have not revisited the idea since. If it actually did save lives and prevent crashes, the NHTSA would have demanded they be mandatory by now.

[DMCVegas]

This is the style I have on my car:

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/brake-light-3rd-1.jpg

GM used them on Corvettes and I believe Firebirds/Cameros.

Almost forgot. That light we use is from a C4 Corvette. It's a small, compact unit that fits on the rear roof of the car that is at almost the exact same angle as our louvers.

http://image.corvettefever.com/f/26634026/corp_1003_13+electric_c4_corvette+.jpg

The F-Body unit from the Firebird/Camaro is shaped simularly, but is totally different. It's a much larger unit, and rather than having a flat base because of the Corvette's roof, the F-Body unit is meant to sit on the curved back glass/hatch. It's also longer and much higer, so it won't fit.

http://custombrakelights.com/catalog/images/Chevy_Camaro_1986.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l30/Dantheman756756/100_0069.jpg

[Farrar]

I used two red LED bars from JC Whitney.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoMqQx-SB_U

Farrar

[jawn101]

I've never heard of a state demanding a retrofit of a CHSML in all my time on the DML or elsewhere. Is this a new law somewhere?

When I lived in NY, I remember a shop telling me that we had to install one on our 82 Tempo in order to pass inspection. So we did, but now in response to this thread I did some research and don't see any such requirement on the books. At least not that I can find. I see that all stop lamps must be in proper working order but there's no mention of needing the center mount. Fortunately time heals all wounds so I don't feel ripped off now :)

This thread has also had me examining every car that goes by to see the style and shape of their high mount lamp. I would say there are a plethora of options out there in every SUV - they all seem to use thin strip lights mounted at the top edge of the liftgate, so there should be plenty of choices. But I definitely can't deny that DMCVegas' install of Hervey's style light looks absolutely correct and like it belongs there.

[Spittybug]

JC Whitney: http://www.jcwhitney.com/auxiliary-50-led-light-bars/p2011775.jcwx?filterid=j1 (2 x $17). Epoxied to louver. No loss of rear view. Wired to not only the brake with strobe effect, but left and right turn signals. Do it, it's cheap and makes your car much safer.

[Notifier]

Thanks for all the idea's! My main concern is visibility to other drivers. But at the same time trying to keep the 1981 car looking like a 1981 car as much as possible. The CHMSL wasn't required until the mid 80's. My main desire to mount it under the louvers was to keep the look of the car as clean as possible. I was going to push both lights together so that the only gap between them is the 1/4" thickness of the louver center support. Although I've gotta say looking at DMCVegas's light pushed towards the edge of the louver doesn't look too bad - I might even consider that position as opposed to mounting it higher up on the louver.

If I wanted to obtain the "Corvette" light, what model year were they from? Where can I get one? I really don't want to spend a Saturday searching junk yards for it!

[jawn101]

If I wanted to obtain the "Corvette" light, what model year were they from? Where can I get one? I really don't want to spend a Saturday searching junk yards for it!

If you wanna cheat and support a vendor... http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/accessories.html :) It's about halfway down.

[Notifier]

If you wanna cheat and support a vendor... http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/accessories.html :) It's about halfway down.

Thanks! You know, I looked through their site a couple days ago and missed that for some reason.

[Farrar]

JC Whitney: http://www.jcwhitney.com/auxiliary-50-led-light-bars/p2011775.jcwx?filterid=j1 (2 x $17). Epoxied to louver. No loss of rear view. Wired to not only the brake with strobe effect, but left and right turn signals. Do it, it's cheap and makes your car much safer.

Those are the exact same units I used, except I mounted them using brackets to the rear vertical edge of the louvres.

Perhaps for another thread, I'd like to know how you wired them to blink with your turn signals... :)

Farrar

[Chris4099]

Notifier,
While a CHMSL is a good idea, you should also consider replacing the incandescent bulbs in the brake lights with LEDs. Doing this is easy and does not change the appearance at all. Best of all it gives the cars behind you an extra 200ms of response time (since incandescent takes longer to turn on and LED's "instant on" gets the drivers attention fast too). This may not seem like much, but at freeway speeds, that's a full car length! I have the GM LED CHMSL and LED brake lights for maximum safety. If you go with the older CHMSL one, see if you can swap out the bulbs for LED. Same appearance on the outside, but all the safety benefits of LED!

Some "fun" reading on LED brake lights brought to you by HP:
http://chemlinks.beloit.edu/BlueLight/pages/hp/an1155-3.pdf

As for how I mounted my CHMSL, I simply glued it in place using black calking (same stuff I used to seal the roof). It was meant as a temporary thing, but 7 years later it's still holding strong. I also painted the wiring black and simply wrapped down the front of the louver and back. Yes it's visible from the outside, but you really have to look at it. I did it this way as I didn't want to drill into the louvers. I'll see if I can get some pictures later today or tomorrow.

[Notifier]

Perhaps for another thread, I'd like to know how you wired them to blink with your turn signals... :)

Farrar

I know there's a converter box for doing just that. You use it when you have a trailer that has combined brake/turn signals and your vehicle has separate lights. I used one when I installed a light bar on my wife's Silverado. There's probably a way to build one with some diodes and such, but unless you are good with electronics probably easy to stick with the pre-made unit.

[Spittybug]

Those are the exact same units I used, except I mounted them using brackets to the rear vertical edge of the louvres.

Perhaps for another thread, I'd like to know how you wired them to blink with your turn signals... :)

Farrar

Diodes are your friend.:thumbup:
If memory serves, I simply tapped both the brake circuit and the blinker circuit from behind the light assembly (although you can do it right at the bulkhead connectors) and put a diode in line before going straight to the light bars. The brake wires go to both bars, the blinker lights go to the respective bars. The diodes simply prevent one circuit from being energized by the other. On the brake wire I also have one of those strobe gizmos so that it pulses the brake light. In stop/go traffic it disables itself for 20 seconds or something like that after the first brake application so that you don't give the guy behind you epilepsy.

One day I may even experiment with making the turn signals sequentially light up the bars, giving a neat flow to the directional.....that would take some work though.... we need Bitsyncmaster to build that module!

[dvonk]

all this discussion about 3rd brake lights reminded me of the "How To" someone had posted on the old forum. it was really thorough and had plenty of photos. after reading the instructions, i felt comfortable enough to do it... and ive never even touched a DeLorean before. :lol:

does anyone remember who posted it?

[Cory W]

all this discussion about 3rd brake lights reminded me of the "How To" someone had posted on the old forum. it was really thorough and had plenty of photos. after reading the instructions, i felt comfortable enough to do it... and ive never even touched a DeLorean before. :lol:

does anyone remember who posted it?

I managed to find this on the "Wayback Machine" mentioned elsewhere. No photos, unfortunately, but I just may go over to my car and edit them in. The original poster was Shannon Y, to give credit where due!

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?2216-How-To-Install-a-3rd-Brake-Light&p=29837#post29837

[dvonk]

sweet, good find Cory on the Wayback Machine! :yesss:

and thanks to Shannon for an excellent "How To" writeup. :headbang:

[DSNW Toby]

Hi Gang - An excellent option for the high mount third brake light is the kit that we offer through DeLorean Parts Northwest. The kit consists of two individual housings that are very low profile, and fit very well under the upper slat on each side of the center rib. Installation is done with 3M double sided tape with no holes required for any portion of it. Each unit contains a row of very high intensity red LED's, and these are completely water and weather-proof. The kit naturally includes all electrical connectors and required supplies, complete instructions, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/7br3flc

The nice thing about this set-up is that you can hardly see the installed lights when they are not lit up. It is a very clean look that gets immediate attention when the brake lights activate.

[AdmiralSenn]

Toby, do you have any pictures of it installed with the engine cover up?

[jawn101]

+1 on that, I'd love to see it installed with the louvers raised. How do you run the wires with no holes required?

[chef4u]

This is what I have.
Clarito

[Ron]

How do you run the wires with no holes required?You can tap the Green-Purple wire at the Black Bulkhead connector.

[RIUM+]

I will second Toby's 3rd brake light kit, I have it installed on 0966 and I'm very satisfied. They light up instantly, much brighter than the stock brake lights. Plus when you're not braking the light strip seems to disappear, blending into the shadow of the louvres. If you want a 3rd brake light that is only visible when you're braking, his option hides wonderfully.

I don't have a better photo available off-hand but here's my D from behind. It's affixed under the top louvre but you can't tell it's there.

http://I.imgur.com/B5Z6T.jpg