Thanks Rosticles and codesplice. Yes I guess there is some legal height requirement to explain the OE design. I gave that more thought. I checked with our State automobile club technical advice people and they think it would be ok. As you know, the whole idea of those lights is to allow following drivers to be able to look through rear windows of cars in front and get prior warning of braking.
In the case of lowered cars, the light could be lowered more than I have in mind and I do not think that is ever taken into account. In many cases, up at the roof line is often higher than ideal and cannot be seen.
I am safety conscious (rear view camera fitted etc etc) and the high OE design itself is something of a safety hazard, and when it reflects in the glass, the effective height as seen by the driver is doubled! My proposed lower mod, with black felt sounds like a win-win.
As for re-locating at the top of the glass INSIDE our cars, that is great for view restriction BUT introduces a small rear-passenger head banging hazard.
Compromises wherever you look. I am concluding it would be best to have TWO such lights ...... one low and one high or just stay at home.
