Cars made prior to mandatory 3rd brake light

[69porsche]

I have a 67-912 and a 69-911E both cars are coupes that I had outfitted with a Hella Third brake light kit by Daniel Stern mounted in the interior rear window. I was curious what owners who have Pre 1986 cars have done if any thing to ensure an additional safety measure from people who ride you or those who are puzzled by what you drive and often get too close to your car. On my MGBGT I added a third brake light but on my E type coupe, I added LED brake lights and tail lights but not a third brake light, both the brake and tail lights are sufficient...Just wanted to get a general consensuses of what owners have done and their input. I also installed a fire extinguisher to the passenger seat in case
Gordon
67-912
67-MGBGT
68-JAG E type Coupe
69-911E

[gazzerr]

I added the 3rd brake light kit to the top of the rear glass on my Targa.

[seanratpel]

That's a total preference call on your part. Some people....need it/want it for safety reasons, others don't want to take away from originality etc. If someone is not paying attention though I doubt a third light is gonna' stop anyone from ramming into you.

[69porsche]

True, If someone is not paying attention though I doubt a third light is gonna' stop anyone from ramming into you......but in the same breath, these cars do ride lower than today's car and the third light does give visibility since it's sits higher and has LED lights, which would give someone better situational awareness

[Alfasrule]

You hit me in the rear I'm calling my lawyer!

[Sicklyscott]

I'm planning on putting LED strips in the vent above the rear window. I'm also updating the rear lights to LEDs.

[tirwin]

I have the Daniel Stern/Hella TBL mounted at the top of the rear window in my '83 coupe. Every little bit helps. Our brake lights are pretty small and low to the ground. Getting the TBL up closer to eye level of other drivers helps.

I also put in Phillips brake LEDs in the regular brake lighst, but I am trying to get my cruise control working so I put the incandescent bulbs back in while I'm troubleshooting. But the LEDs are considerably brighter.

Another thing I did was put these tall 'tower' LEDs in the reverse lights. They sure help when you're backing out of a parking space at night.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by gazzerr

I added the 3rd brake light kit to the top of the rear glass on my Targa.

Me too, an LED strip from Kragen autoparts, about ten inches long. Hard to see from the rear and doesn't interfere with my rear view.

[porterdog]

I used a Whelen TIR3 as a brake light on one of my dirtbikes several years ago. Fully potted and intended for emergency vehicles, they're durable and frighteningly bright. It would hurt your eyes when they were closed tight, drew IIRC ~.2A, and was plenty to back someone off if they got too close.

The size is such that it could easily be adapted to all manner of mounting.

[manbridge 74]

Early cars should be checked for brake light switch adjustment. My brake lights wouldn't come on until pedal was pressed fairly hard. I got it to come on with the lightest push.

[Jerome74911S]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Early cars should be checked for brake light switch adjustment. My brake lights wouldn't come on until pedal was pressed fairly hard. I got it to come on with the lightest push.

Good point. I adjusted mine, too, when I installed the Hella LED unit from Daniel Stern.

[RSBob]

Tire in a lot has been written on cruise deactivating due to LEDs. The CC expects a certain level of resistance which LEDs don't provide. You can buy add on resisters from SuperBright LEDs but you will have to cut into your brake wires. I believe there are also special relays you can use. I gave up and put the LED brake lights in my non-cruise 914.

I did add a LED third brake light strip at the top of the rear window of my coupe which flashes 4 times before going solid red. It's obnoxious and helps get a bit more attention from those not quite paying attention. I don't see it flash because I created an enclosure. Saw the brake light originally on the rear fender of a police bike and it really got my attention. Found it at Custom Dynamics.

[grant lyon]

I highly recommend Spoke's LED Brake Lights.
Much brighter than stock, so effective for tailgating types.
Very happy with mine.

I run a 356 style 3rd brake light set from many years (~20 ago), but Spoke's LED completely overpower the third brake light set and make it unnecessary.

LED Brake Lights

[sixbanger]

I installed the 993 basket handle on my 69 911E. Some don't like it but it works for me.

[69porsche]

Originally Posted by sixbanger

I installed the 993 basket handle on my 69 911E. Some don't like it but it works for me.

I am sure the ones who don't own a Porsche don't like it but once again they will be never affected by a careless driver hitting you in the rear! Like everything else if it works for you than that's all that matters

[69porsche]

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

I found his products to the top notch, high quality and there is no drilling associated with installation furthermore his TBL are mounted in the interior and does not attract from the style, silhouette or the originality of the car....... Just my two cents

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by RSBob

Tire in a lot has been written on cruise deactivating due to LEDs. The CC expects a certain level of resistance which LEDs don't provide. You can buy add on resisters from SuperBright LEDs but you will have to cut into your brake wires. I believe there are also special relays you can use. I gave up and put the LED brake lights in my non-cruise 914.

I just saw those resistors the other day and wondered if they worked. I just had the tail light housing out to clean the ground behind it. It would be possible to add a section of wire inside the tail light assembly with the resistor in line (using the right connectors of course). That would avoid having to cut into any of the factory wiring.

See pics in this thread:
Another DIY project: clean chassis ground point behind right rear tail light

Some people have said their cruise works with the Phillips LEDs. Maybe there is a resistor built into the bulb? But just to keep things simple I swapped the incandescent bulbs back in for now. I have borrowed a known good cruise module from fellow Pelican Uwanna. I accidentally broke the cruise bowden cable from the throttle linkage to the servo when I did the engine drop a year or so ago. Stupid!!! That cable is expensive.

Once I get the cruise working I'll try the LEDs again and maybe try the resistor trick. I had forgotten how bad the incandescent bulbs are compared to the LEDs. Even though they are brighter I still like the TBL being more eye level with drivers behind me. Every little bit helps...

Uwanna and I were discussing the brake light switch sensitivity the other day too. There was a thread where someone installed a microswitch as I recall. Gave much better sensitivity on the brake light function. I need to check into that as well.

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by 69porsche

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

I found his products to the top notch, high quality and there is no drilling associated with installation furthermore his TBL are mounted in the interior and does not attract from the style, silhouette or the originality of the car....... Just my two cents

Daniel Stern is a wealth of great info and a pleasure to talk to. He has several suggestions for our old cars and I've implemented a few of them. He has very specific bulb recommendations for headlights and marker lights too.

I have amber (Euro) tail light lenses. I also did the H4 city light mod using LEDs. Pull the headlight switch to the first detent and it's like having daytime running lights.

[jlex]

This is what I did for my '85 (it's now living in the Netherlands). Hey, I like the War of the Worlds look....

[enzoducoing]

Safety is something I considered as a defining guideline when resto modding my'71. My rear window defroster was completely shot and un operable when I bought the car, so I found a Carrera rear window that had a working defroster and a bottom mounted 3rd brake light.