Adding a High Brake Light (85) - Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Te Kauwhata New Zealand
Adding a High Brake Light (85) - Question
Hi,
I have been thinking about installing a high (3rd) brake light on my 85 C4.
I have been looking and see that there are some after-market add-ons, but I want something that will keep the car looking good.
I have thought about buying a slim LED light bar and then getting a slot cut in the middle of the rear end, or finding a nice bar to fit on the top of the glass lift-top at the hinge.
The other issue I don't know about is the way to get it to work, I notice that the brake lights are also the indicator so if I wire it up wrong it could flash depending on the indicator I'm using
What are others thoughts on this?
For NZ compliance (as it was a US import, to be permitted to drive on NZ roads), the previous owner put a brake bar temp on, and had a wire running to the brake switch at the pedal. This is still how it is.
I want to tidy it up, and make a better presentation.
Regards
Kevin.
I have been thinking about installing a high (3rd) brake light on my 85 C4.
I have been looking and see that there are some after-market add-ons, but I want something that will keep the car looking good.
I have thought about buying a slim LED light bar and then getting a slot cut in the middle of the rear end, or finding a nice bar to fit on the top of the glass lift-top at the hinge.
The other issue I don't know about is the way to get it to work, I notice that the brake lights are also the indicator so if I wire it up wrong it could flash depending on the indicator I'm using
What are others thoughts on this?
For NZ compliance (as it was a US import, to be permitted to drive on NZ roads), the previous owner put a brake bar temp on, and had a wire running to the brake switch at the pedal. This is still how it is.
I want to tidy it up, and make a better presentation.
Regards
Kevin.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
I added a CHMSL (center high mounted stop light) on the bow of my old 92 LT-1. The biggest worry was that the rear hatch glass didn't have holes for the screws to pass through which held the unit on the car. I had to drill out the two holes just above where the glass ended. One mistake and your rear glass is history. I don't know if your glass has the holes for the CHMSL already there but I kind of doubt it.
Good luck...........
Good luck...........
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 765
i personally wouldn't add one to an 85. the factory CHML added to the roof bow, to me anyway, always looked like an afterthought. if i was to add one, it would be the rear bumper mounted assembly from the 86-90 convertible - much cleaner design, although not as clean as the 91-96 units. not 100% sure of wiring it, but i'm guessing you would have to come off the brake light switch.
Last edited by Joe C; Oct 8, 2011 at 08:38 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The third brake light on the C4 uses a separate wire and a separate switch. The switch is located on the steering column near the brake light switch. You may want to look at an 86 or later wiring diagram to see how the wire is connected so it works properly.
I think the easiest method to mount a third brake light switch would be to use the rear bumper fascia from an 86-90 convertible that has the light in that position. The light mounting on the coupe uses holes in the rear hatch glass. Drilling holes in the glass
could be very difficult to do. You might want to get cost estimates for the rear fascia and any painting required and match that against finding a rear hatch glass from a C4 that has the third brake light factory installed.
I think the easiest method to mount a third brake light switch would be to use the rear bumper fascia from an 86-90 convertible that has the light in that position. The light mounting on the coupe uses holes in the rear hatch glass. Drilling holes in the glass
could be very difficult to do. You might want to get cost estimates for the rear fascia and any painting required and match that against finding a rear hatch glass from a C4 that has the third brake light factory installed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
That would really pizz me off to have to add a third brake light on my '85. I would look here, http://www.superbrightleds.com/ they have a lot of led lights that are super slim, you should be able to find something that would both be legal and fairly hidden.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Te Kauwhata New Zealand
Mr Joe_C, the way you have your middle brake light is how I would like to do it. It looks a lot tidier then having it on the top of the hinge.
My glass does not have any holes in it other then for the hinge mounting bolts, so I would not like to try drilling through glass. So the mount into the rear bumper surround would be the way to go.
Will look at the later model circuit and pull a wire through to the back.
Thanks for the help, Kevin.
My glass does not have any holes in it other then for the hinge mounting bolts, so I would not like to try drilling through glass. So the mount into the rear bumper surround would be the way to go.
Will look at the later model circuit and pull a wire through to the back.
Thanks for the help, Kevin.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 765
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Te Kauwhata New Zealand
Now I went to the local auto shop and looked through their light catalogue.
Found a nice slim brake light that I could fit into the rear bumper.
It's 254mm long and 13mm wide, it's what they use in those rear wings.
I think we have a plastic place in Auckland that could cut the slot, making a tidy job and then mount it in place.
Also found the wire I would have to run from the brake switch to the rear. Seems an easy task. I will find the wire loom from the front to the rear and thread it in to keep it tidy, and make it look like it should be there.
Now the wife is searching for me.
Found a nice slim brake light that I could fit into the rear bumper.
It's 254mm long and 13mm wide, it's what they use in those rear wings.
I think we have a plastic place in Auckland that could cut the slot, making a tidy job and then mount it in place.
Also found the wire I would have to run from the brake switch to the rear. Seems an easy task. I will find the wire loom from the front to the rear and thread it in to keep it tidy, and make it look like it should be there.
Now the wife is searching for me.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 15
From: Wallingford Vermont
I would think it would be cleaner and more effective to run a LED strip sealed to the Inside, upper part of the rear window. Invisible when not in use and more visible (higher) when engaged. 
