3rd Brake Light - "Corvette" style from Special T Auto

[Notifier]

I'm looking for the 86-90 Corvette style 3rd brake light, the same one Special T Auto had for sale. It doesn't seem like he will be stocking them any more. If someone has one that they bought, never installed, and looking to sell it I would be interested in it.

[Mark D]

Try www.car-part.com

It allows you to search all salvage yards in the country vs searching specific places individually. The same brake light used on the Vette's were also used on 1986 Camaros.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11251&d=1340043432

[DMCMW Dave]

Or your local Chevy dealer. The TBL from a 98-ish Suburban/ Tahoe etc. is readily available and looks about the same. It's already black.

[Notifier]

Or your local Chevy dealer. The TBL from a 98-ish Suburban/ Tahoe etc. is readily available and looks about the same. It's already black.

Thanks again Dave. Next time I'm driving past a Chevy dealer I'll inquire about it. Do you know off hand if this light has LEDs or is incandescent? Personal preference is the incandescent.

[DMCMW Dave]

Thanks again Dave. Next time I'm driving past a Chevy dealer I'll inquire about it. Do you know off hand if this light has LEDs or is incandescent? Personal preference is the incandescent.

They are LEDs.

[Notifier]

They are LEDs.

Ok. I'll wait a bit and see if anyone replies to my post before I run out and buy one. Seems like most if not all are LED anyway.

[Bitsyncmaster]

The old Corvette unit I got had three incandescent bulbs. Very bright but I wanted the faster light of LEDs.

[vwdmc16]

So about $75 used, how much for a new one?

[EdR5150]

I had bought a used one from eBay for about $25, then ended up reselling it on eBay. I decided to make my own $15.

A quick skim search of eBay shows a few for $300! Just gotta keep searching and find the right seller.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Can't remember what I paid but it was less than $50. Mine was EBay and was NOS so it was only primed gray.

[DMCMW Dave]

Current ebay auction:

380434226989

Is the one I've used. Several pictures of it in place.

[MartyP]

Same one I use, and I love it, fits well on the car, and doesnt look out of place !

[BigBenb84]

..and its the one I use. Came with my car, and when half the leds quit working I bought another.

Here it is on:
11332

[Morpheus]

Current ebay auction:

380434226989

Is the one I've used. Several pictures of it in place.

Seconded. This is the same unit I installed on my first car. I'd post a picture, but I can't seem to find one right now.

[vwdmc16]

I was just out bid on ebay for a tail lamp, damn. gotta keep looking.

[Shep]

If you go the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban/Blazer route, don't bother with dealerships, just get it from a junkyard. I got mine for $9.17. Make sure to cut the wires so the plug is a part of what you take off, making it easily replaceable without needing to rewire anything, just unplug the old and plug in the new. They're designed to last the life of the car, but for $9.17, I'm more than satisfied with going through a few of them. They screw on with a standard philips screwdriver.

[john 05141]

I ordered the one from e-bay and it came in yesterday.
I had 3rd stop lights before, so the wirering is already there.

Jut a question; I do not want to drill holes into the louvre. Did you guys use double sided tape?
Question 2, if no holes are drilled, what about the cable? There are 2 options, very close to the T-panel, or near the rear edge of the top louvre, where the cable bends underneath the louvre?

Just asking.

John

[Bitsyncmaster]

I ordered the one from e-bay and it came in yesterday.
I had 3rd stop lights before, so the wirering is already there.

Jut a question; I do not want to drill holes into the louvre. Did you guys use double sided tape?
Question 2, if no holes are drilled, what about the cable? There are 2 options, very close to the T-panel, or near the rear edge of the top louvre, where the cable bends underneath the louvre?

Just asking.

John

I drilled three holes. Not sure I would trust tape to hold it since it can get hot in the sun. I did not use the rubber pad that came with mine. I also sanded the mounting surface so it would sit perfectly flush on the louver.

[Chris4099]

I used black silicone adhesive. I meant it as a temporary hold since the double sided tape I had at the time didn't stick, but 8 years later it's still holding! I also spray painted the wire black and wrapped it around the front and then straight back under the louver (light is at the edge of the top louver). Not very noticeable (at least nobody has pointed it out) and best of all I have no holes in my louver.

[Morpheus]

I drilled the holes. I reasoned that the louvers are fiberglass (not to mention readily available) and can be easily filled in if I ever needed to go back to stock.

You don't want this thing to work itself loose on a hot day @ 60MPH...

[Shep]

Jut a question; I do not want to drill holes into the louvre. Did you guys use double sided tape?
Question 2, if no holes are drilled, what about the cable? There are 2 options, very close to the T-panel, or near the rear edge of the top louvre, where the cable bends underneath the louvre?The way I set mine up, I used commercial-grade (and outdoor-rated) velcro strips to attach the third taillight to the louvers. Makes it easily replaceable by just buying new strips. I wiped the louvers down with water and scrubbed with a paper towel to clean off as much as I could before attaching, and did the same for the taillight. No idea how long it'll last since it hasn't been road tested as of yet, but it's important for me that everything is easily reversible, which this is.

As far as wiring, I routed mine through the gap between the top louver and the second from the top until it reached the left side, then I put some slack so it wouldn't rip apart when I raised the louvers. Where you route it from there depends on what you plan on tapping into. I ran mine down the left rear quarter panel so I could tap directly into the rear taillight, which is why I chose that route. When you're showing it off with the louvers up, spectators really can't see it unless they're looking for it. Try a length of string and binder clips and see for yourself how hidden it is. Picture below. Please excuse the binder clip, I'm still looking for a more long-term attachment method and binder clips hold better than anything else I have in the house right now.

11494

[john 05141]

I am planning to install the 3rd brake light thisd evening.
I too do noat to drill holes into the louvre. I was considering just one for the cable, as this could also double as a safety when the unite would come loose.
Agreed, it is not hard to fill the holes in the louvre, but I do not want to go this permanent.
So I will install it without holes. If I still like it by next winter, maybe I will drill one hole for the cable.

Dave's remark about the sanding, good idea, it is kind of a long piece and the louvre bends. I will see if that can be done.

I'll post pictures when ready.

John