Third Brake Light - Where to Mount?

[Swoboda]

I have a 1985 Targa, and have found some great information here regarding installation of a third brake light as well as the many styles available.

So far, I think I like the more traditional/standard block that would sit against the interior rear window of the targa. (Daniel Stern sells Hellas that use LEDs. They look nice.)

Where should I mount the light? Up high behind the targa bar or down low on the rear deck?

Having only original brake lights is a scary proposition when I have an SUV bearing down on me--I'm sure they don't see them!

Thanks.

Lawrence

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Swoboda

I have a 1985 Targa, and have found some great information here regarding installation of a third brake light as well as the many styles available.

So far, I think I like the more traditional/standard block that would sit against the interior rear window of the targa. (Daniel Stern sells Hellas that use LEDs. They look nice.)

Where should I mount the light? Up high behind the targa bar or down low on the rear deck?

Having only original brake lights is a scary proposition when I have an SUV bearing down on me--I'm sure they don't see them!

Thanks.

Lawrence

Lawrence,

On the '86, the light was mounted under the Targa bar.

For the '87, the light was moved to the bottom of the window,
perhaps for better visibility.

Gerry

[Ofishbein]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Lawrence,

On the '86, the light was mounted under the Targa bar.

For the '87 and later, the light was moved to the bottom of the window,
perhaps for better visibility.

Gerry

. . . and then back to the top in '88. Makes it interesting when trying to spot model years so you have to go to the reflector to tell the difference (high brake light and black script in reflector = '86; high brake light and hologram script in reflector = '88).

If it were me, I'd put it at the top to be seen better by high-riding SUVs.

[Rikao4]

installed mine high/targa bar..
I don't see..they do

Rika

[bklyn]

On my 87 Targa I mounted on the rear deck.

[tcar]

Visibility for inattentive texters would be better if it's higher, I'm thinking.

I've picked up a used Porsche unit that I'll wire in inside against the targa bar.

[Oh Haha]

Mine's a coupe but here's how I did mine a couple of weeks ago.(plus other Pelicans)

How to: 3rd brake light install

[ghamilton]

Swoboda:

First mod I did to my 82SC was the Stern LED. I mounted it on the rear shelf. Looks original, especially with the Hella lettering. I can take a shot of how it looks tomorrow if I remember.

[Wil Ferch]

The PO mounted a factory piece in my previous 85 coupe. Up high. "Completely" obscures my rear-view of my interior rear-view mirror. If it was mounted down low....then YOU can see out...but THEY behind you won't see you as well. You are better served with a high-mount from a rear-end collision avoidance standpoint.

Compromise?.....mount high.... but use a very thin strip of a row of LED's and dtich the factory "brick" light.

[Jdub]

The superthin spoiler insert red LED light bars are ideal for tucking up under the Targa roll bar.

See at eBay - click here.

[Swoboda]

Should there be any concerns about brightness or DOT approval?

Lots of posts about LED strips don't reference that, although they all do seem bright--and anything is certainly better than nothing when it comes to a 3rd brake light.

[Hugh R]

I did what Oh HaHa (Wayne) did and you cannot see it in your rear view mirror. If angled correctly its very noticeable to those behind you. I ended up using a black two-part epoxy to attach it to the inside of the glass.

[RWebb]

there is an accelerometer based gizmo also - no wires

[DRACO A5OG]

On my Targa, I placed at the bottom for much better visibility.

I used the strip type to give it a little update look.

We are 85 so we are DOT exempt for a third light in any case.