Brake Lights ?

[fbird18]

I searched and didn't find this question ever asked. The brake lights on our LS's suck. I was driving behind one yesterday evening, they had their lights on and when the brakes were lit up, honestly I could barely tell. The third brake light was what caught my attention. If that is burned out, the remaining lights just don't seem to be enough to be safe. Has anyone ever considered making the other running lights into brake lights? Is there any reason why I couldn't do that? Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated. Here is a pic of what I'm thinking of.

 

[1LoudLS]

if you do, it might affect the bulb out warning. you would probably need to change sockets so that you could use dual filiment bulbs, come to think of it, if you where able to use different sockets you could leave the dim side of things alone and just use the brake lights to trigger relays to power up the high side of the bulb and it probably wont effect the bulb warning. i wouldalso look into getting a third brake light from a 2nd gen, they are a lot wider and very bright

 

[fbird18]

Thanks.
Thats what I was thinking. The current brake lights are just running lights until the brake is hit, lighting that second filiment. So if I were to get the sockets out of the junkyard and wire them up properly it should be fine. And I actually do have the 2nd gen third brake light (from the junkyard ), only problem is that would require a new headliner to be installed correctly.

Am I the only one who thinks the gen 1 brake lights suck? No one has ever wanted to make them better/safer?

 

[1LoudLS]

i never noticed before how bad there where. i do miss my running lights on the trunk lid, the 2nd gen reflectors should either have lights or been lift off.

 

[LS4me]

I would bet those lights are tinted. I've been behind many LSes and the lights are as bright as any.

 

[jk52781]

Yeah Nic I agree with you the lights do not look that great at night. The whole strip should be lit up at night. I would not mind working on a project like this with you. I think it would be much better.

 

[CrackerJack]

Im game, another midwest LS meet in the near future? haha.

Why not just use an LED replacement?

 

[joegr]

Keep in mind that the lens and reflectors weren't designed for the much greater heat that the bulbs you plan to add would put out. It might be better to use LEDs. (LEDs would also eliminate the need to add relays.)

 

[fbird18]

Keep in mind that the lens and reflectors weren't designed for the much greater heat that the bulbs you plan to add would put out. It might be better to use LEDs. (LEDs would also eliminate the need to add relays.)

I would imagine that if the original brake lights don't wreck anything or get too hot, that changing the running lights to brake lights would harm anything. Of course I have nothing to back myself up on that, I'm just guessing at the moment.

LEDs are brighter, and a good way to go. But I want more. I mean those little corners just don't seem like much for a brake light. I don't know. I think I'll play around with this and let you know if I come up with anything.

On the lighting subject, I suggest anyone who thinks the trunk light could be better to do what I did. I got an identical trunk light out of the junkyard and simply wired it across the back of the trunk, cut the hole in the carpet, and installed a second light. Worlds of difference at night!

 

[fbird18]

Cell phone pics, sorry for the crap quality.

 

[JWerner2]

I honestly cant say I ever had a problem but I suggest the Polarg brand hyper whites. LED is not always brighter and depending on the design of the LED unit it may make things worst and you would need to add load resistors on the contrary to what was said. Remember, there is a reflector bowl to help intensify out put and some/most LEDs found for turn signals are directional and most of the out put is forward out put for 3157 type units. You could also try a red bulb.

 

[LS4me]

I used LEDs. I bought 4 of these and hooked them up to the existing light: