DIY Third Brake Light (95 model)

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11-25-2009, 12:19 PM

#16

VNTGSPD

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Cool! I ordered mine today.

Thanks Bob!

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11-25-2009, 12:49 PM

#17

bart1

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You guys just use the LED rope? There is a rectangular version of it that looks ood.

http://www.lightingfx.com/item--Rect...ight--AU-ST103

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11-25-2009, 12:54 PM

#18

ilko

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOtherEric

Dayum, that's outstanding! A lot of 964 owners will be interested in this as well.

You will need to replace the whole rear windshield on a 964, because the brake light has a black trim that's part of the glass

Although I'm happy with my MY96+ brake light, I'd like to see how this LED strip can be incorporated on the inside of the windshield.

The other option for those of you with de-basket handled 993 cars (or cabs & targas) would be to incorporate the empty sockets for the rear fog lights as brake lights. Although they won't be high mounted, at least there will be more lights to warn people behind you. I did this on my old RSA and am planning on getting it done on the C4S as well. Our cars have tiny brake lights in comparison to what's on the road these days. And with the awesome brakes that we have I'd like people behind me to know that I'm braking!

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11-25-2009, 12:55 PM

#19

95 C4 993

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I resolved things in a very easy matter: Bought a 95 C4 with no basket handle and a 3rd brake light--which I had to have rewired a few months back since it quit working and failed to pass inspection. Works great now!!

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11-25-2009, 01:09 PM

#20

brucec59

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Macca

...I have the early 1993/4 rear light which sits perfectly flush with the roof and c pillars but they made it only for 6 months...

Never heard of this - can you post pics? Thanks.

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11-25-2009, 01:49 PM

#21

trophy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bart1

You guys just use the LED rope? There is a rectangular version of it that looks ood.

http://www.lightingfx.com/item--Rect...ight--AU-ST103

I thought of those as well, it appears they are 24v only...

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11-26-2009, 11:00 AM

#22

BufordTJ

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson Nape Racing

I took my basket handle off about a year ago, and decided with the number of bad drivers around (and all the lawyers) I should have a third brake light. I didn't want to spend $200 (or whatever it cost) for the 96+ brake light (besides, it would cover my Crimson Nape decal), so I got a strip of red led's and made my own. The wiring was already there under the rubber trim. I used shrink wrap to finish the ends and it is held in place with killer death outdoor 2-sided tape. It has been installed for over 8 months w/o any problems. I don't remember the exact cost, but the led's were around $15 shipped. Just thought I'd post pics in case there are others out there with more time than money these days. I still have plugs in the holes from the basket handle; have not built up the courage to attempt to weld/fill/paint the deck myself, so I keep waiting on $ to fall out of the sky.

Bob,
Can you explain in more detail how you made the end caps? Also where did you source the plugs to cap the holes in the deck lid from removing the basket handle?
Us cab owners have a real problem with the third brake light. Thanks for the info.

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11-26-2009, 11:11 AM

#23

Arena993

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Travis:

Saw this thread after we PM'd. What are your ideas on mounting location? I am intrigued as I could live without the basket handle.

Mike

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11-26-2009, 11:37 AM

#24

BufordTJ

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Arena993

Travis:

Saw this thread after we PM'd. What are your ideas on mounting location? I am intrigued as I could live without the basket handle.

Mike

I was thinking of buying the mounting track and end caps. The mounting track looks to be square and has some type of clips with it. I thought I might try to mount the clips under the buttons for the top cover and/or use double sided tape to the area just below where the top overlaps the metal. But I don't know if I could open the deck lid w/o hitting the rope light. I also thought of mounting it to the bottom side of my RS wing. This would be a temporary fix until I can get the deck lid and wing to a good body man for the welding of the holes and possible frenching of a brake light in the rear of the wing.
Another thought would be to use a Cyclops type inside to the center of the rear seat.
What are your ideas?

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11-26-2009, 09:25 PM

#25

Crimson Nape Racing

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BufordTJ

Travis - I wanted to find rubber caps to fit over the ends, but I could not find any that fit. I ended up putting about 1.5" of heat shrink tape over the end and left about 1/2" off the end of the rope. I held the rope upright in and filled the end with black silicone and let it dry. I'm sure there are other ways, but these turned out very nice. As for the plugs, they are definitely temporary. I got them at Home Depot, and they don't fit very well. Also, there are 2 different size plugs right next to each other on the passenger side, so I had to trim the smaller plug to look like a 3/4 moon and fit beside the big plug. Since my car is black, they don't show up too much, but it is a cheesy fix until I have it fixed properly.

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11-26-2009, 09:57 PM

#26

Crimson Nape Racing

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I don't believe the timing, but right after I posted above, I was in the garage messing with my car stereo and when I removed the caps from the rca jacks that came on the stereo, they appeared to be the right size for end caps for the led rope. Since mine is attached tight to the body, I cannot verify, but if anyone is going to try this, I would go by a stereo store and see if you could pick up a couple of these.

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11-26-2009, 11:17 PM

#27

BufordTJ

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson Nape Racing

That's a great idea. It also gives me an idea of the diameter of the LED rope.
Thanks!

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11-27-2009, 05:42 PM

#28

VNTGSPD

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson Nape Racing

When I ordered my light a few days ago, they offered end caps for $0.35 each. I'm sure I'll have to drill a small hole to feed the wire through but otherwise should be a simple solution to the end cap issue.

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