Third Brake Light??

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi
I think this is the one, I got one not a bad job to fit about 1/2 hour

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAAB-93-9-3-9400-3DR-5DR...

Alan

[phillpot]

Yep, that looks like it, think I paid a bit less than that?

The one I gave to Rob I'd started flatting down to remove the "textured" finish and filled the hole visible to the right of the lens(washer jet?)ready to paint it body colour

[Gerald-TVR]

Or here pages 192/193

[phillpot]

this one?... too deep


or this one?...can't make out if that's made to go on a vertical or horizontal surface (maybe either)?

[greymrj]

MIke, the second looks as if it must be for a vertical surface judging by dimensions. The first does look pretty decent doesnt it. Not checked exact dimensions but presumably it doesnt fit between hood and boot edge and would have to fit on the boot itself, just like the NZ car? I note it is single 21w, not the LED I would have preferred. The plastic should take body colour with a little prep. I cant try it yet but if anybody else does I'd like to hear from them. Driving my S in torrential rain on the M6 was a little scary and better rear lights would make me a little less vulnerable.

[phillpot]

Yes, first one would have to go on boot lid, you'd get the safety benefits but would look pants imho.

Maybe some sort of "housing" could be made so the second one sits vertical and would end up looking quite discreet and tasteful like Rob's?

Or splash the cash ...... MX5

Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 22 January 22:13

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi All
Splash the cash, Audi TT, this has a chrome cover fitted, price is for cover only.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-TT-MK1-1999-2006-Ro...




Alan

[SaltySeaDog]

Alan Whitaker said:

Hi
I think this is the one, I got one not a bad job to fit about 1/2 hour

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAAB-93-9-3-9400-3DR-5DR...

Alan

Thanks Alan, just bought it!

I had visited my local Mazda garage yesterday and can confirm that the MX5 unit on the later models is to large to fit between the boot and hood.

Hadn't thought of the Audi TT as a possible doner car but personally like the idea of being able to colour code the light cover to the car as Rob has done.

Thanks all for your input/help

Cheers
Warwick

[greymrj]

Who started this!! Every car I see now I am looking to see how the high level light is provided, just hope I dont run into the back of one when I am trying to study the light. Should I buy an Audi one, or is there something else out there? I will keep looking, carefully. 'Get a life' you might well say

[phillpot]

greymrj said:

'Get a light ' you might well say

[Russ35]

I picked up one of the SAAB lights when this thread first appeared. Ashamed to say that it is still sat on my bedroom floor. Might have to have another look at it over the weekend.

Rob, what mods did you actually have to do to it as the bottom profile seems to have to much of a curve on it. Was it just a case of applying some filler to the bottom side to flatten it out a bit?

I want to put one on just due to the fact that other cars are getting bigger and higher and our back ends are pretty low and with the lights (front and rear) of the S's not being the brightest. I just want to ensure that people see me. Although with the lack of use the S has had over the last 2 years I've no worries about anyone driving into the back of me.

[Griffinr]

The one I used had already been moded by philpot to flatten the bottom by sanding so i carried on and finished it. I then bedded it down onto clear silicon to seal it and fill the remaining gaps.
Rob.

[greymrj]

Can't believe the number of new posts since this subject was raised!

Anybody out there got a mate (or more likely his wife/girlfriend) with one of the new Mini convertibles? Can you arrange for them to be distracted long enough to see how their third brake light is fitted? Very small and tidy, nice bit of chrome strip either side as well. The guy in the BMW Mini garage didnt look too pleased when I tried to do a little gentle 'research'.

[greymrj]

Well Phillpot, I am not sure it was what you meant by saying 'get a light' but I have done! Mind you my partner was bit puzzled when I started looking at the back of every row of cars whenever we went anywhere. I found lots of possibilities, even got a few and tried, but there were real problems with every one. I tried ones that mounted outside, and even some that mounted inside (the Rover 400 looked promising for a while), to the body or to the hood. Nothing I was happy with. Yet I really felt I had to have something, there had been two really very worrying moments, both on the M6 on wet evenings. The last one locked up and came SO close to hitting me. Mind you mine is dark green so about as bad as it gets for invisibility!

I looked at a couple of aftermarket LED strips with a view to making something up, but one night I was looking through the excellent Car Builder Solutions catalogue (each S owner should do that, I heartily recommend for both products and tips) and came across a product which looked very promising. The item is listed as #LEDST2 in their catalogue. A ready made high level LED brake light mounted on a small 'pillar' with a narrow base and capable of some adjustment in angle. At just £12 it seemed pretty cheap too. I asked to try one and I was immediately taken by it.

http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/pedestal-mou...

Those who want to keep their car as original as possible will not find this suitable but I have to say that for me it ticked all the boxes for use of the S under modern driving conditions.

The mid point of the existing brake light lenses is about 580mm above ground, with this unit fitted the third light centre is at 930mm, a very big difference. Furthermore, at the suggestion of CBS, I angled it up about 5 degrees, wow, what a difference that makes!

I am not sure how robust it will prove to be but it does seem surprisingly sturdy. It does need three holes through the bodywork (one for the cable I drilled under the hood edge) but the stainless bolts I used are only 5mm so they are not big holes. There is clear space underneath and it is very easy to use some stick on cable clips to hold the wire out of view. There is enough cable to reach easily to the wiring harness near the fuel filler and it is easy to pick up on the brake light feed and an earth there.

Before fitting it I did move the cable to a central outlet from the body as it was supplied with the cable coming out from near one end. I also used a plastic glue to stick the casing together as I suspect it wouldnt have been sufficiently watertight.

What I particularly like, as do others that have seen it, is that it does look 'right' with hood up or down. I know that is a matter of taste but it has been very well received by my enthusiast friends. There is no doubt it works very well as the pics should show.

The only issue I have is that I use a Leven hood cover and I will need to adapt it slightly. Mind you it also provides a convenient rear anchorage for that cover, just where it is needed!

[mk1fan]

Good you found a solution. Not my taste though.

I have a Audi TT waiting to be fitted. Need to find the time!