CHMSL source

I know this one's probably been beaten to death, but I never have much luck with the search here. Anyway, I have a red car and my brake lights just don't stand out well enough against it. That, along with the very low mounting and the incredible tailgaters here led me to add a license plate frame with a row of LEDs to supplement the lights. It works fine and looks quite nice, but it is still too low. I know a number of you have located CHMSLs in the engine vent area to hide them until the brakes are engaged. I measured and found that I only have about 1" x 8" to work with. All of the lights I find online are too large for that space. Those of you who have done this already please tell me where you found the light. Thanks!

Someone used a Taurus wagon third brake light on the outside -- if I remember right, the '00-'06 shape is the one that got used.

I bought my LED light at an Auto parts store, found it in their catalogue. About 1 1/4" by 4 1/2 and tucks in real nice and illumintes well enough that people have backed off.

Lane... I think that you should look into the euro lights. The braking is fine, but when driving behind you never know if you are breaking or turning. If you get a euro lens, the turn signal are yellow and that would break up the contrast. I am surprised no one has run into the back of you, I know I almost did a few times a couple of weeks ago.

Lane,

JC Whitney makes one that is approx. a 1" x 6" LED strip that you can mount behind the grill. You can actually snake your hand through the sides and do it without removing the grill. I'd suggest skipping their sticky tape and use some adhesive. We use methyl-methacrylate, but a good 2 part epoxy should do. Drill a small hole next to the hinge in the left side of the deck lid and run the wires along the hinge.
You can split the loom of main wirting harness in the same location (on the rear shelf) and tap into the 12V feed for the brake lights. You can tap into the ground wire in the same spot.

Another hint. It seems to be more visable when you mount it on the vertical front most surface of the grill opening. If you leave the deck lid propped open until the epoxy dries this is easy to do. I probably have some photos on the 'puter and wuill look for them after lunch.

Hope this helps.


Carey

Thanks for the info and followup pics, Carey.

Kevin, you're comments from our ride are why I'm moving on this. I'm also thinking of converting the brake light bulbs to high powered LEDs with a wide viewing angle. Can't have too much in the way of brake lights. Given the drivers around here I ought to mount a flood light with a red lense about eye level on the average SUV, doncha think?

Done! Wow - only $10.99 for the light! That's very reasonable.

Oh yeah - I should make some smart remark about "Gee, why can't I just ground it to the body?", but I'll save it.

Lane,
Carey put the one he described on mine and it looks/works great.

I have the JC Whitney LED light also and it fits and works great!

Can someone post which specific JC Whitney light. They have several.

If would be nice if the photos mentioned were also posted.

Thanks.

Here's the link to the light I bought:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/Pr-
p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2003590/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2003590/Ntx-
mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-
AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=led+3rd+brake

For some reason it won't post the whole URL unless I break it across lines. You'll have to cut and paste the pieces together.

Michael,

I've done several, and I know I've photographed them all (or close to it) but cannot find any of that particular shot on my 'puter. I specifically remember taking this photo for Rich. Maybe he still has it? Office computers are new, but I thought I transferred everything over... guess not. I'll check my laptop and the computer at home too...

Carey

No big deal. Your description was plenty detailed.

Found mine here:

http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com

I didn't keep the photo Carey mentioned, but I can take and post one if there is any demand for it.

Please do. I'd like to have an idea of what it'll look like.

Here's a photo of the JC Whitney led. This is the short one. They also have one that'll fit that is a bit longer.
This is on a Vintage Speedster. I had to notch the bottom of the grill vanes a bit for clearance.

Greg

Thank! Those lights, along with a row of LEDs across the top of the license plate, ought to be enough - I hope.

Found the picture on my laptop.

Here's a close-up shot of the light. You can't really see it from a few feet away... until it lights up.

I got the narrower one like in Greg's picture. Between the regular lights, the row of LEDs on the top of the license plate frame, and the new light in the vent, the whole back of my car lights up now.