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 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:



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:



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

[jawn101]

This is the style I have on my car:



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

[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.

[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.