3rd Brake Light

[Chuter]

I just finished putting a 3rd brake light in my ’65 Barracuda. I went with a United Pacific light, and tied it in at the brake light switch. I’m happy with how it turned out, hope it holds up!

I never did figure out how to remove the wire from the brake light switch, so I pulled the whole switch, bracket and all, out, and cut into the wire.

I later found one on Ebay, apparently the switch and bracket are all one, unlike the replacements I’ve found that seem to snap into the bracket. I’m guessing the wire is crimped in place?

Another difficulty came when I had everything mounted and wired, and tested it.

That right brake light had been working when I started the project. Both taillights continued to work. After swapping bulbs around, voltage checks, and trying to figure out what I’d done that could affect just one side, I decided to verify the turn signal was also affected. That’s when I found that I’d bumped the signal lever, and with the ignition off, it was trying to signal a right turn – so no juice to the brake light, which shares the same filament. Returned lever to neutral, problem solved!

 

[65 Dartman]

nicely done! Anything to help drivers behind you from rear ending you. Not saying it can’t happen anyway but it can’t hurt

 

[Dana67Dart]

Typically what I have seen is:


A single SAE Barrel connector (Red arrow below)

The socket it plugs into (Like on this door switch, Blue Arrow below)

Aftermarket switch But you can see how it works

 

[Chuter]

I guess I just wasn't pulling hard enough on the wire! I was afraid that wouldn't end well, and I'd end up with no brake lights. This will help if/when the switch fails and I have to replace it.

 

[RedFish]

There was a time when a aftermarket high mount brake lamp kit included a little plastic box with wires. They called it a logic circuit. Was no internet back then. Very few knew they only needed about 30 feet of wire (preferably white casing). That is until that logic thingy failed.
Owner installed or not, it must work to pass this states inspection. I told more than 1, "fix it or just remove it and come back". Happy moparing

 

[DartGTDan]

I added a 3rd brake lamp as well! I used a "United Pacific LED Taillight Bars 39685B" from SummitRacing. However, I put mine in a license plate frame I drew up (via AutoCAD) and had a co-worker cut it out on a water jet using 18 gauge steel.