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Topic: 3rd Brake Light for C3

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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3rd Brake Light for C3 (2/12)
 7/19/09 8:53am
Aussie79vette
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, - Australia

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Joined: 5/15/2009
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Just curious to know why you would want too ?????????????Confused

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3rd Brake Light for C3 (3/12)
 7/19/09 9:36am
crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA

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Ive not done it but have given it a passsing thought.  Those thoughts usually hit me after some idiot runs up on my rear end as if he didnt see my brake lights. I converted to bubble tail lights with all 4 acting as brake lights out of the same concern.  If you find photo of  a neat, inconspicuous installation of a third light, Id love to see it.
3rd Brake Light for C3 (4/12)
 7/19/09 9:50am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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I don't think I've seen one done, but I believe the 3rd light from an '86-up C4 would be a neat addition to the '78-up Sharks, and prolly fairly easy to install. You would need the "logic module" for it to make it work right, but I think the light would set up on top real nice, and look almost factory...

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3rd Brake Light for C3 (5/12)
 7/19/09 4:51pm
Phill's VetteLifetime Member
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Apache Junction, AZ - USA

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1982,150K,Renegade CFI,Hooker Side Pipes,85 fuel pump,Bilsteins,HD suspension, Aluminum radiator, SharkBar/w 5-Point Restraints. 3:73 gears coming soon.


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I've thought about this also.
3rd Brake Light for C3 (6/12)
 7/22/09 12:09am
tom43xy
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Littleton, CO - USA

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76 corvette, L-48, Flame Red


Joined: 2/5/2006
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I have done it (the reason being that I am paranoid about being rear ended with all the idiots willing to ride right up on your kester).  I wanted to make it so I could easily remove it later and not do too much damage.  I went to the Auto store and got a rectangular brake or trailer light that wasn't too enormous, but fairly bright.  I then went to the hardware and got some good double sided bonding tape.  Mounting the light to the upper roof panel just inside the rear window was straightforward, but I had to bend the mirrored backing (inside the lens) a bit to keep from illuminating the interior of the car too much when pressing the brake (kind of shocking at night when you first hit the brake).  I routed the wires under the roof and side trim panels to the wire bundle in the rocker.  Figuring out which wires to tie into was the hardest part, but finally figured out which ones were appropriate for low illumination with the headlights on and high illumination with the brake pedal depressed.  I know it isn't all original with that third brake light, but I did not have to drill any holes and I feel better about it when driving (a mental comfort factor I guess).

If it would help to post pictures, I can do that.  Sorry, but not on my regular computer so can't post pictures now.Wink


3rd Brake Light for C3 (7/12)
 7/22/09 9:54am
crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA

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black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion


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Tom, Id like to see a pic when you can post it. 
3rd Brake Light for C3 (8/12)
 7/23/09 12:52am
tom43xy
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Here are pictures of my installation.  The only real value is probably that it sits higher to warn off the SUVs Tongue.












3rd Brake Light for C3 (9/12)
 7/23/09 11:00am
crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA

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black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion


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Thanks for posting the pics tom.
3rd Brake Light for C3 (10/12)
 7/23/09 12:24pm
jp75vette
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I like the idea of mounting in that location. I was thinking of attaching a longer thiner LED and maybe fashioning a small aluminium angle to attach the LED to and then attach to the center two srews that hold the rear window trim in place.
 
Here is a place that has thin LED; just got to find the right one.
 
3rd Brake Light for C3 (11/12)
 7/23/09 2:59pm
crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA

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black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion


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Good looking lights jp, several there that have possiblities
3rd Brake Light for C3 (12/12)
 7/23/09 4:22pm
Gunslinger
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Check the JC Whitney catalog as well as the Speedway catalog for various 3rd brake light designs.  There are a couple that have an adhesive so you can simply stick it to the back glass (obviously a better design for '78 and later C3's, not so much for verts and removable back glass early cars).  They're pretty inexpensive as well.

I think the best way to wire one would be to run a wire from the brake light switch directly to the light and that way a logic circuit wouldn't be necessary.  A bit more work but probably a better way to do it.
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