DIY - Third brake light relocate to headliner

[fatherfork]

Sorry I've been absent for a while guys. When I sold the car I didn't take the third brake light I made out (because I'm an idiot). So I don't have the original and stupidly didn't take any measurements. I don't really have a way to make these anymore, and I'm not sure I have the motivation I had when I owned the car.

Thanks for the compliments, and good luck to anyone whole wants to make one of these for their 86. It's really not that difficult or expensive and I would encourage anyone who is the least bit inclined to try to build one.

[Silver Ignition]

[FLYFISHR]

Followed OP's example and got it finished and and installed yesterday.

[MemphisR]

I don't suppose you would be willing to send me the templates you used for that, or sned me a rough diagram?

[FLYFISHR]

Originally Posted by MemphisR

I don't suppose you would be willing to send me the templates you used for that, or sned me a rough diagram?

I will take measurements and pictures of mine in a couple of weeks when I drop the headliner to add some soundproofing.

[FLYFISHR]

I did everything as I went along with out any plans. hope there is enough info in the pictures to help.

[Silver Ignition]

They sell an almost exact replica of this on FT86Speedfactory...OP I hope you're involved because if you're not I'd be PISSED.

[gtishtar]

Originally Posted by Silver Ignition

They sell an almost exact replica of this on FT86Speedfactory...OP I hope you're involved because if you're not I'd be PISSED.

if you're referring this one http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/inte...ight-2005.html. Actually it's from intec in japan, https://www.intecjapanstore.com/prod...product_id=116

[Silver Ignition]

Originally Posted by gtishtar

if you're referring this one http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/inte...ight-2005.html. Actually it's from intec in japan, https://www.intecjapanstore.com/prod...product_id=116

Yep...someone check and see if Intec is subscribed to this thread

[Rosticles]

It's not a unique idea.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72225
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75887

[notout86]

Ideally I too would like the light up the top but as a simple compromise,can anyone see a problem with taking the LED-array
and its diffuser out of the housing and just putting it at the base?
I tried just laying it to one side of the housing and it is under half the height and 3inches/75mm closer to the glass making the view
out the back much better. It can actually be pushed in the crack for a simple friction fit.
Possibly a section could be cut out of the shelf to lower it more.
I tucked a bit of black felt under and up over the back and over the top and meeting the glass to stop reflection in the glass
and it will not rub or rattle. It looks neat and would match black felt covering the holes left in the shelf.

The wiring was not long enough for me to try driving around in that temporary position but it would reach if centred.

Any comments before I detach the three-legged monster?

[Rosticles]

@notout86

There is a lot of regulation on the third brake light that I would be afraid of infringing when lowering the CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Lamps). "High Mounted" is in the name because it is supposed to be a certain distance higher than the other two brake lights for the purposes of individual distinction and visibility. The entire reason it has UFO landing gear might be to satisfy these requirements. Raising the light only increases the satisfaction of these rules, but lowering it might break them.

Also, this is how I understand it in the US. It may be different in 'Stralia.

[codesplice]

Originally Posted by notout86

Ideally I too would like the light up the top but as a simple compromise,can anyone see a problem with taking the LED-array
and its diffuser out of the housing and just putting it at the base?
I tried just laying it to one side of the housing and it is under half the height and 3inches/75mm closer to the glass making the view
out the back much better. It can actually be pushed in the crack for a simple friction fit.
Possibly a section could be cut out of the shelf to lower it more.
I tucked a bit of black felt under and up over the back and over the top and meeting the glass to stop reflection in the glass
and it will not rub or rattle. It looks neat and would match black felt covering the holes left in the shelf.

The wiring was not long enough for me to try driving around in that temporary position but it would reach if centred.

Any comments before I detach the three-legged monster?

My concern with that would be making sure that it's still high enough to be easily visible over the trunk / spoiler (if equipped). I don't think it should be an issue, but that's definitely something to be considered before you do anything you can't easily reverse.

If you do it, we'll need pics

[notout86]

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.