Relocating the 3rd Brake Light

[Rob Riker]

I dont know about the rest of you, but that goose neck of a 3rd brake light is a total abortion. Sooooooooooo, I got home, and commenced tearing things apart. I like the finish product, and it only took about 45 minutes.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0001.jpg[/IMG

[IMG]http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0003.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0004.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0005.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0007.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0009.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0010.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0011.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0012.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x59/rriker1967/LR0013.jpg

[JackMac4]

Dude! Hell yeah! Me likey!

[Rob Riker]

Sorry I didnt really post details, but here goes
1. Remove the spare tire carrier

2. Cut the neck off at the base

3. Cut the top of goose neck off, and save the rear housing

4. Cut the plastic piece to stand approx 4 inche tall

5. Measure up approx 1.25 inches , and cut so that it will make tabs when bent

6. Apply a little heat so that you can get some pliers on there, and bend them

7. Secure the assembly with some self tapping screws

8. Re-assemble

9. Throw the excess Mopar crap away.

10. Stand back and bask in the glow of your newly relocated 3rd brake light.

[TrAvELAr]

Interesting idea. Great mod.

[priell3]

Great job, clever thinking.

My only concern is if is is legal in your state.

In PA, it has to be visible from 100'. It isn't called a HIGH MOUNTED center brake light for nothing.

I'm not downing your effort, just making my concern for legality known.

[Rob Riker]

1. I live in California, and I think this state (fruits and nuts) has the goofiest laws around. I did inquire about the "high mount brake light". What I was told, was that when the brakes are on, the light has to be visiable. This mod has more than met that requirement. I had my son dry the jeep away from me, and hid the brakes periodically. It far exceeds the 100' mark.

2. The license plate question. Mine came stock like that.

[07JKX]

turned out well!! just make sure the wheel selection you plan on allows you to see it (not for legal purposes, just b/c it would a waste to cover it up)

[Rob Riker]

Thank you for the comment. I did in fact consider my future wheel selection. But definatley a good point for anyone who is considering this mod.

[SteelBlue07]

Looks good.

[SabrToothSqrl]

i saw a mod like this on St-offroad...

stu-offroad.com

I would do it, but i run a tire cover, so u can't see through my tire anyway...

also, i took off the 3rd brake light, my rear tail lights are over the roof of a lot of cars...

[07JKX]

Thank you for the comment. I did in fact consider my future wheel selection. But definatley a good point for anyone who is considering this mod.

i have the cragar soft 8's on mine and this mod I could see myself getting excited... modding it, and thne lifting the tire up to the spare carrier and "#$^%$%$#$()%*#)$(% mother #$*)@&#@)$)"

i have this thing about being able to see behind me and i have already popped the springs on the rear head rest so they lay down. all thats left is the uber tall center brake tower. maybe i could just remove it altogether and reinstall upon sale.

but again, excellent mod!

[Rob Riker]

very good point. I know I base my measurements off the stock wheel, and then after I completed the mod, I realize that my new wheels might not work once I put them on. WELL........................I got lucky and they will work for the new wheels.

So to all who try this mod, please take into consideration what my measurements were based off of.

[captsam54]

Awesome, I just cut mine OFF..!!
Rewired the third brake light to be the tag light....

http://my.project-jk.com/data/624/DSC01010.JPG

http://my.project-jk.com/data/624/DSC01009.JPG

[Rubidon]

Nice mod! I'm doing that for sure. Any brake slamming going on behind ya?:rotflmao1:

[captsam54]

Nice mod! I'm doing that for sure. Any brake slamming going on behind ya?:rotflmao1:
No.. no brake slamming going on behind me.. Remember my whole Jeep is RED..

I hated that third brake light up there.. Reminded me of ET..!!

There is another mod where they take it and drop it down so it shines thru the spare tire center.. (no tag there though)

[HAWAIIAN KRAWLER]

AWESOME!....great work guys.

[jeepinoutwest]

captsam54 can you post pics of the back of your jeep, i am curious about the plate mount. thanks

[captsam54]

captsam54 can you post pics of the back of your jeep, i am curious about the plate mount. thanks
They are in "My Gallery" pictures in My Project-JK

Here are a couple..

http://my.project-jk.com/data/624/DSC01024.JPG

http://my.project-jk.com/data/624/thumbs/DSC01126.JPG

Are you wanting to do the same thing??

[fathomgreencamaro]

This is a great mod.

It would eliminate the obstruction to taking off
the hard top from inside the jeep(once the spare is removed).

I'm still a little quesy about hacksawing my Jeep though.

It's not even 10% mine yet.

I saved the pic and will probably do it eventually.

Thanks.

[captsam54]

captsam54 can you post pics of the back of your jeep, i am curious about the plate mount. thanks
Sorry, I understand now.. The plate MOUNT...!!

OK, the mount part that goes on the spare I got from one of the sponser sites.. Can't find the paperwork at the moment.. Cost 69 bucks though.. Sits behind the spare with the front piece attached to the tag, and comes off..,

The tag, light mount is the stock one I butchered to fit..!!

[jeepinoutwest]

thanks captsam54, just one more question, how did you fill the whole left by the platemount? looks as if you covered it with a sticker. it is impossible to tell without taking the plate mount off how large the hole in the sheet metal is. maybe a close up of the drivers side rear quarter. thanks rick

[captsam54]

thanks captsam54, just one more question, how did you fill the whole left by the platemount? looks as if you covered it with a sticker. it is impossible to tell without taking the plate mount off how large the hole in the sheet metal is. maybe a close up of the drivers side rear quarter. thanks rick

http://my.project-jk.com/data/624/DSC01067.JPG


Rick... Yes It is covered up with a sticker.. But not for long .. Ordered Warrior black diamond corner guards (without the license plate hole)

There is a playing card size indent with a 1" hole for the wires to come thru..
I cut a piece of plastic to fill out the indent , and put the sticker over it..

I took the plug, and light for the plate, and traced it back to where it joins the harness.. Cut it off and waterproofed the ends..

Then I took the 3rd brake light wire and traced it into the right corner.. (look at the color code on the license plate lite, mmm yellow and white)

Just taped into the splice and changed wires, for steady on..

The tag plug matches the third brake light plug.. and there you go..

IF you are seriously going to do this and need more info.. let me know and I will take some shots etc. ( my camera was gone at that time, went swimming)

There are some shots of the European Jeeps with diesels etc, and some SEMA show shots that show the back corner without the bracket..

Have Fun..!!