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Installed a LED third brake light


Flat Toy

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Aug 14, 2008
Messages
264
City
Dallas
Vehicle Year
1986/1998
Transmission
Automatic
In the 80's when the third brake lights started showing up I thought they were pretty dumb looking. But since they have been around a while I find they do make it easier to tell if the car in front is stopping.
I wanted to update the BII so I started looking for a light assembly to install on it. I liked the shape of the light on my Astro Van so off we went to the wrecking yard and got this:
HPIM0614.jpg


First step was to pull the trim off above the door, back window and hatch. Took the trim off the A Pillar also.
HPIM0619.jpg


Ran a wire from the green wire on the brake light switch up the A pillar and back to the rear dome light. There is a wire bundle that runs the whole length that goes to the electric hatch lock and dome light. I used wire ties to secure the wire to that bundle.
HPIM0620.jpg


This was the hardest part since the headliner backing is very brittle and would break if bent very much
Next I marked and drilled the holes for the tabs on the bottom of the light and for the wires to run through.
HPIM0627.jpg


I stayed close to the hatch so that the screws and wires would end up in the metal brace that runs across the hatch. Ran a ground to the dome light ground and put it all back together. The light had a foam gasket on it but I still ran a bead of clear RTV around the holes and mount screws to make sure.

Before:
HPIM0612.jpg


After:
HPIM0639.jpg


HPIM0637.jpg
 
Very nice if my b2 still had a roof i would look into that
 
Nice work!

I wish someone would make stock looking LED lights for Rangers. I don't like any of the aftermarket ones available.
 
Nice work!

I wish someone would make stock looking LED lights for Rangers. I don't like any of the aftermarket ones available.

I'm gonna try making my own out of the existing housing. I'll post pics if it turns out well.
 
EXCELLENT.. Too bad they don't make one like this as an aftermarket piece. Nice work. Great look.
 
I did the same thing on the canopy of one of my Rangers. I also used the Astro Van/Blazer hi-mount. Looks almost factory.

Now that I see the results, I may try it on my BII.......:D
 
This is on my to do list to the BII.

I submitted this to Jim to add to the BII Corral and to the Tech section.
 
Killer.

Maybe I'll get around to doing that as well..
 
Very sweet! You just finished my hunt. I have been wanting to install a 3rd light, just been a hard decision finding a good looking setup. :icon_thumby:
 
At first I thought: "Why in the he?? would somebody want to do this?"

Now that I see it, it actually looks good on there. Looks like it was made that way. Nice job!! :icon_thumby:
 

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