ZILLA: (How-To) *REAR FOG LIGHT WITH BRAKE LIGHT* MOD!

[Roadstercycle]

So actually what we have here is a failure to communicate. It's a fog light with your headlights on and a brake light when you hit the brakes. Looks like the best of both worlds. A little safety and a little more safety +2. If anyone gets a ticket then we'll reevaluate the situation.

Great DIY. What the hell, its there, might as well do something fun with it.

[MattR]

Regardless of personal opinions on whether or not this should be done, the quality of the DIY is excellent. Well done.

Did you place any sealant between the bulb sockets and the housing?

[robotvoice]

Originally Posted by ZILLA

For you to say a reflector is MORE funtional than a light is absurd.

Wow, no...you're twisting my words around for your own benefit. Take a deep breath and try to follow along here. If you actually READ what I said, it's that because of the location of the light on the car and what it is actually intended and designed for, you will get the most functionality by putting the light on a dedicated switch or tapping into your front fogs and using it in bad weather. It's really that simple. Having a 4th brake light offers absolutely no benefits to the driver. But, if that's the look you're after then by all means, to each his own. Again, I'm simply offering information to those who don't know what the light is actually for or those who want to wire it up correctly.

[ZILLA]

Originally Posted by FlipFRS

great DIY thanks! will definitely be making mine into a foglight soon

Youre welcome

[ZILLA]

Originally Posted by Roadstercycle

So actually what we have here is a failure to communicate. It's a fog light with your headlights on and a brake light when you hit the brakes. Looks like the best of both worlds. A little safety and a little more safety +2. If anyone gets a ticket then we'll reevaluate the situation.

Great DIY. What the hell, its there, might as well do something fun with it.

EXACTLY!

[ZILLA]

Originally Posted by MattR

Regardless of personal opinions on whether or not this should be done, the quality of the DIY is excellent. Well done.

Did you place any sealant between the bulb sockets and the housing?

Thank you. The sockets have a domed /suction cup like rubber shape to them which seemed to do a great job sealing them up when I inserted the sockets into the holes. Hard to explain but I was comfortable leaving them as is with no sealant. That way they can come out easy too, if I have to change a bulb.

[Moshpit37]

Well I think this is just awesome, and exactly the thing I've been wanting to do with mine since I first saw the light assembly in pictures. Very well done on the tutorial. Thanks!

[blackfireball5]

This is what i've been looking for. Only difference is i want to have it flash like this.

http://www.blaize-electronics.com/pr...rake_light.htm

Flashing Third Brake Light Blinking 3rd Flasher Kit fitted on BMW 330 M Sport Convertible - YouTube

[Khalis]

What kind of bulbs did you use/buy from?

[Guff]

Hey guys, stop arguing.


It is what it is. Some people would like it as a brake light, some as only a foglight. Either way, this thread is useful for somebody and let's not clog it up with random crap.

[jimmillion]

Originally Posted by blackfireball5

This is what i've been looking for. Only difference is i want to have it flash like this.

http://www.blaize-electronics.com/pr...rake_light.htm

Flashing Third Brake Light Blinking 3rd Flasher Kit fitted on BMW 330 M Sport Convertible - YouTube

Your answer was buried in another thread. Follow the quote below if you want to see people talking about it.

Originally Posted by Opie

It's pretty simple, I just need to find time to get a lamp socket and bulb mounted, add one of these: http://www.flashingbrakelights.com/ and then tap it into the existing brake lights...

[blackfireball5]

Originally Posted by JIMs|a|MILLION

Your answer was buried in another thread. Follow the quote below if you want to see people talking about it.

Cool, thanks. Ya, i knew it wouldn't be too hard of a thing to do. I bet it will look really cool when it's done.

[Fenrir]

Originally Posted by Guff

Hey guys, stop arguing.


It is what it is. Some people would like it as a brake light, some as only a foglight. Either way, this thread is useful for somebody and let's not clog it up with random crap.

Just FYI:

It's technically illegal to have the rear fog light (or really ANY fog lights) on during fair weather conditions. I doubt you'll find a cop in the US who will ticket you for it, though. The lights are aimed in such a way that they can be distracting to drivers, especially rear fog lights. Rear fogs are aimed directly at driver eye-level so as to increase visibility in foggy conditions (as you would expect, given their name).

Also, it's doubly illegal to have a fog light used as both a fog AND a rear brake light. There are strict regulations on this. Again, I highly doubt you're going to find anyone of any official capacity who will cite you on it, but there it is.

On the flip-side of the coin, many European cars DO have the rear fog light retrofitted into a brake light on the USDM models. They usually have the reflectors changed and are aimed differently, though.

Just be aware that modifying the lighting on your car shouldn't be taken lightly. There are a ton of regulations on brightness, light aiming, position on the vehicle, etc. Modifying the lighting (which is safety equipment) on a vehicle can be dangerous to yourself and others around you.

Hope that doesn't count as random crap

[Guff]

Originally Posted by Fenrir

Just FYI:

It's technically illegal to have the rear fog light (or really ANY fog lights) on during fair weather conditions. I doubt you'll find a cop in the US who will ticket you for it, though. The lights are aimed in such a way that they can be distracting to drivers, especially rear fog lights. Rear fogs are aimed directly at driver eye-level so as to increase visibility in foggy conditions (as you would expect, given their name).

Also, it's doubly illegal to have a fog light used as both a fog AND a rear brake light. There are strict regulations on this. Again, I highly doubt you're going to find anyone of any official capacity who will cite you on it, but there it is.

On the flip-side of the coin, many European cars DO have the rear fog light retrofitted into a brake light on the USDM models. They usually have the reflectors changed and are aimed differently, though.

Just be aware that modifying the lighting on your car shouldn't be taken lightly. There are a ton of regulations on brightness, light aiming, position on the vehicle, etc. Modifying the lighting (which is safety equipment) on a vehicle can be dangerous to yourself and others around you.

Hope that doesn't count as random crap

That's fine, and people who do follow this DIY will do so at their own discretion with your comments in mind.

[zooki]

Originally Posted by robotvoice

Third brake lights are designed to be eye level with the driver in the car behind you and HIGHER than the main brake lights. Turning your rear fog light into another brake light is unnecessarily redundant. You might face legal problems removing your OEM 3rd brake light as well, especially if you got in a rear end collision. The rear fog only has one purpose and is designed for only that, and it is NOT to serve as another brake light. It would be the equivalent of wiring your turn signals to stay on all the time just because you think it looks "cool".

Interesting. The third brake light on my Ford F250 is mounted at the top rear of the cab, which is WAY higher than eye level. And it's a 2WD.
In the state of Texas(where I live), state law requires only 2 brake lights.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/VI/lighting.htm
So I guess I could remove the third brake light right away?

[cobrabyte]

Tackling this today. Thanks for the write-up.

[Moshpit37]

Just a quick FYI: I'm working on this right now and the red wire was for the regular tail lights only, not the brake. I am only putting one light in there and wanted it for the brake light only, and when we spliced the red wire it wasn't the correct one.

[cobrabyte]

I finally got this done. Took a bit of time to get it wired properly -- I wanted it to look like it came from the factory.

I also integrated the blinking module.

Here's a link to video:

USDM BRZ w/ Lower Tail Light Activated

[W2]

Also just did this, great DIY. Took 3-4 hours taking my time.

One key thing to note, the housing for the red fog light has 2 lenses. When you drill out the holes be careful not to get the debris in between the outer and inner lenses. If you do you'll have to bake the light to separate everything and clean. I found out the hard way.

The light output is perfect with the 194 bulbs.

[Nitro22]

Originally Posted by W2

Also just did this, great DIY. Took 3-4 hours taking my time.

One key thing to note, the housing for the red fog light has 2 lenses. When you drill out the holes be careful not to get the debris in between the outer and inner lenses. If you do you'll have to bake the light to separate everything and clean. I found out the hard way.

The light output is perfect with the 194 bulbs.

I had the same issue, but I was able to blow it ALL out with an air nozzle & compressor.

[xcelir8brz]

Originally Posted by Nitro22

I had the same issue, but I was able to blow it ALL out with an air nozzle & compressor.

And if that doesnt work...put water in and vacuum out particles. Seal and stick tube to vacuum and place into housing and leave on for some time to remove condensation.

Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2

[cobrabyte]

Originally Posted by xcelir8brz

And if that doesnt work...put water in and vacuum out particles. Seal and stick tube to vacuum and place into housing and leave on for some time to remove condensation.

Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2

Something so simple, yet genius. I wish I had gone this route!

Did any of you BRZ guys also have a hell of a time getting the light fixture out of the bumper? I ended up taking all bolts and plastic pop rivets out of the bottom diffuser and still had to flex the bumper a lot to get that thing out of there. I was afraid I was on the verge of breaking the bumper!