Third brake light, Increased safety. Options

[Rikyrat]

I was thinking about doing the same thing. I had an idea, that I might put in the rear reflector panel. It appears that the panel itself is red, and that there is a coating on the back of it. I was thinking that all I had to do was get the coating off somehow, then wire up the lights. Also, put a row in the upper strip on the sail panel, can't be too safe.

But even then, most of the yahoo's out there, are to distracted to noticed, that traffic is stopped. I had a guy rear end me in my TL, awhile back, and totaled it. That was a crying shame, since it was an SH-AWD with a 6-speed. The guy at the body shop said they were afraid of it, since they did not think they could get the chassis correctly aligned.


The problem as I see it, with the teener, which is what it so much fun, is that it is so low to the ground, I was following one in my gf's Trailblazer, and could barely see the tail light at a stop light. So that combined with distracted drivers, is a bad combination. Not that I am complaining, I love how low it is, and the feeling of your butt ring on the ground.

[Cairo94507]

I agree with Preach. The one that was cut into the top rear Chrome trim was the cleanest. Use a clear LED that disappears until you stop on the brakes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[FlacaProductions]

I'm thinking the same from these folks.


https://aoonuauto.com/blogs/news/third-brak...ht-installation

I'd prefer if Spoke @Spoke can offer a group buy. Keep the $$$ for our valued vendors.

Oscar

Oscar - I think I like this option a lot - I've been looking at doing the 3rd brake light and (for many reason - one being non-destructive) I think I'd prefer a self-adhesive version on the inside of the rear window. Problem is that most options have the adhesive on the "wrong" side of the fixture. The only thing on these is that they're 3-feet long and on first glance that seems big but the more I think about it, the more I like it....but if @Spoke could come up with something that's even better.

[914Toy]

Several of us have installed a third brake light that is available on eBay etc. and was stock on the late 1980's Corvettes, and surprisingly also on the 944 Cabriolet (spell?) - identical!

[StarBear]

What would be cool but doubt the tech exists but a wireless light with magnetic base that could be sent a signal from the brake light switch to turn on..

IF there was, how many of us would forget to change the batteries?

True but we all remember to charge our phones.. Just a thought as no drilling would be required.

I'm with mb911 on this one, if at all possible. Wireless (no holes), removable and just have to remember to do the batteries once in a while (long while with LEDs). Any electro-techies out there?

[Bartlett 914]

Several of us have installed a third brake light that is available on eBay etc. and was stock on the late 1980's Corvettes, and surprisingly also on the 944 Cabriolet (spell?) - identical!

This is what I have. I think it is a perfect fit and looks great on the car.

Having said that, I lost my 914 in a rear end collision. Maybe under the roll bar would be better because it is higher. I cannot see mine sitting in the car. I don't think I would like to see something in the rear view mirror. Lights don't stop cars so nothing is perfect

[pvollma]

I was thinking about doing the same thing. I had an idea, that I might put in the rear reflector panel. It appears that the panel itself is red, and that there is a coating on the back of it. I was thinking that all I had to do was get the coating off somehow, then wire up the lights. Also, put a row in the upper strip on the sail panel, can't be too safe.

That's what I did. I later added the flashing module, which I think should add to its visibility. Yes, I know, it's not up high, but the car had the center reflector when I bought it, and this solution was better than nothing.

[Lucky9146]

Please tell me how you made this? I want to install it on all of our 914s.

@pjhaun 914 from years ago

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=1240830

Agreed and both threads very helpful and this is something I want to do too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) This is one of my favorites so far. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

Thanks guys for all the great info. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/white914.jpg)

[Chris914n6]

What would be cool but doubt the tech exists but a wireless light with magnetic base that could be sent a signal from the brake light switch to turn on..

My Snugtop has one. Battery powered, trigger is a light sensor pointed at the 3rd brake light on the cab.

[mb911]

Thats pretty cool..

[Cairo94507]

@pvollma - I like that since you already have the rear panel. Did you consider taking the LED lights all the way across the reflector panel? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[914Toy]

What flashing module recommendation?

[horizontally-opposed]

Several of us have installed a third brake light that is available on eBay etc. and was stock on the late 1980's Corvettes, and surprisingly also on the 944 Cabriolet (spell?) - identical!

This is what I have. I think it is a perfect fit and looks great on the car.

Having said that, I lost my 914 in a rear end collision. Maybe under the roll bar would be better because it is higher. I cannot see mine sitting in the car. I don't think I would like to see something in the rear view mirror. Lights don't stop cars so nothing is perfect

Have long wanted to do something like this, but don't want to see the third brake light on the car...so I haven't.

Need to do Spoke's brake light upgrades first, but I like your idea of putting something on the upper part of the targa bar—you wouldn't see it standing near the car, but a driver following you at any distance where there's still time to brake would. I wonder just how low profile something could be with today's LED lights? I wonder if it could get anywhere near slim enough to be "invisible" on the car—which might be slim enough to be acceptable in the rearview mirror. Anything there would help...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=camper+shell+bra...;ref=nb_sb_noss

[Rleog]

I like Spoke’s clean installation. Just ordered the 12” light from Summit. This will be a good Stay At Home project. Maybe I can draw it out to 3 or 4 hours. Oh, wait..... it’s a 914 project. No problem getting 3 or 4 hours.

[pvollma]

@pvollma - I like that since you already have the rear panel. Did you consider taking the LED lights all the way across the reflector panel? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I purchased both the LED strip and the flashing module from superbrightleds.com back in 2015, that may have been what they had in pre-cut weatherproof strips at the time. The flasher module rapidly flashes the bulbs 4 times for 0.4 seconds, slowly 4 times for 2.6 seconds, and then the lights remain on bright until the brake pedal is released.

[Rleog]

Patterned mine after Spoke’s installation. Went well.

[sixnotfour]

Patterned mine after Spoke’s installation. Went well.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

[914e]

Patterned mine after Spoke’s installation. Went well.

How did you run the wiring?

[Rleog]

“ How did you run the wiring?”


Look at posts #13 and 14 on page 1 of this thread.

[Spoke]

Patterned mine after Spoke’s installation. Went well.

After chatting with Bob, I decided to look into making a kit using the 12 inch LED strip hung under the chrome strip. It will also have a provision for adding a strobe flasher. I've got to figure out a way to attach the LEDs without much modifications. I had to file a bit of the chrome strip and Bob drilled and used a screw to hold the LEDs.

Also looking at the picture and his brake lights and license plate, I started working on this board. Anybody interested in it.