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VERTED71 Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2014 Posts: 345 Location: EWA KAI
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:09 am Post subject: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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Aloha,
Searched through the threads and no luck. Anyone have any ideas for 3rd brake light for convertibles? I have a 71 super beetle vert, but am seriously searching for a brake light other than the stock ones on the fenders. _________________ Aloha'z and have a great day!
71 Super Beetle Vert
15x4.5 Front
15x6.5 Rear
155/60R15 74T tires FRONT
205/65/15 tires REAR
1600 Dual Port
Progessive Carb
Electronic Ignition
Tri Mil "hotdog" exhaust |
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HankScorpio Samba Member
Joined: August 30, 2010 Posts: 375 Location: Connecticut
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Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:53 am Post subject: |
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Put a small bright light behind the hood vents? Keeps a stock look but I'd be careful to block as few vents as you can for airflow... |
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Dwayne1m Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2011 Posts: 3538 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 4:24 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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I'm going to try something like this.
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8688 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 5:56 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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I have come across license plate frames with the brake ligt built in. Haven't used one so can't attest to the quality. Search in hot rod parts catalogs. _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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mergedown Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2016 Posts: 299 Location: Columbus, OH
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:01 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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Dwayne1m wrote: |
I'm going to try something like this.
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Love this idea!! Definitely adding to my list of things to do. _________________ 1978 Convertible Fuel Injected - Blue (originally white...wait...maybe red?) |
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hopkin Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2012 Posts: 2469 Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:56 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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Also, be sure to hit the brake pedal when you release the accelerator, just enough to turn on the brake lights (especially if someone is close). [And I don't mean 'brake checking', just let the person behind know you're slowing].
Our air cooled cars slow down much quicker than newer cars when you release the accelerator. Anyone following may not even know you slowing until too late. _________________ 1971 Super Beetle (past)
1971 Super Beetle (past)
1974 SunBug (past)
1972 914 (past)
1991 Honda Civic (Original Owner)
1996 'Open Air' Mexican Beetle (current)
2015 Golf (current)
2017 Dune Edition (daughter's car) |
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CarlIseminger Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2008 Posts: 833 Location: Grand Forks, ND
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:39 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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has anyone come up with a solution for a third brake light for convertibles? I like the through the vent idea, but don't want to compromise the cooling by blocking off the vents that I do have on my '69.
And I do not want to mount it on the bumper as that is a bit too low, and the fender lamps are that same height anyway. _________________ 1969 VW Beetle Convertible |
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trynne Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2009 Posts: 101 Location: Milwaukee
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:58 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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My solution was to add two led running light near the license light.
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trynne Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2009 Posts: 101 Location: Milwaukee
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:59 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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a
Last edited by trynne on Fri Dec 14, 2018 6:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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trynne wrote: |
My solution was to add two led running light near the license light.
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I have sticker shock! Yes life is simpler without all that stuff.
Bug On! _________________ Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 11:36 pm Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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CarlIseminger wrote: |
has anyone come up with a solution for a third brake light for convertibles? I like the through the vent idea, but don't want to compromise the cooling by blocking off the vents that I do have on my '69.
And I do not want to mount it on the bumper as that is a bit too low, and the fender lamps are that same height anyway. |
Well, you've veto'd the vents and bumper for mounting options. Leaves you no choice but to bolt some gawd awful, instant car de-valuing monstrosity to the decklid by the license light.
But really, mount something like a red Hella foglight to your rear bumper. It will be period correct; you can upgrade the bulb and you can point it upward and it will have tremendously good visibility.
It will save you the agony of over-engineering and underappreciating whatever you do and you will be able to spend more time just driving the car. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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2type2 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2002 Posts: 969 Location: SW Colorado
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Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 6:52 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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I fabbed y 3rd with LED strip on a curved 1" aluminum bar.
Behind the vents. You won't need to drive any holes if you use my method! Pcs in my gallery shts of my 71 bug. _________________ "A life of peace and happiness depends on your own gratefulness" |
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theKbStockpiler Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2012 Posts: 2316 Location: Rust Belt
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Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:12 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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If you have been thinking of adding a roll bar it might work well mounted to one. _________________ My beetle is not competing with your beetle. I have the yellow beetle in my town. There is a red one, a green one ......
Use all safety devices including a mask. |
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CarlIseminger Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2008 Posts: 833 Location: Grand Forks, ND
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2019 1:54 pm Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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I found a third brake light that I made work for me.
While searching for hidden stereo systems, I ended up on a motorcycle website. And there they had brake lights with brackets. I was only searching for third brake lights. Never thought to look for just a brake light.
So after more searching on various bike sites, I found a brake light and bracket that I felt would work on my convertible.
My plan was to mount it behind the license plate light hood. This way, it doesn't block the vents and the top doesn't hit it when open. I had to cut and modify the bracket a bit and I had trim away the gasket. I might have cut too much gasket off. So will have to order a new one this spring.
I think it looks OK there. And I installed a flasher inline with the power, so it flashes when you first step on the brake. Then holds steady. I want to grab their attention back there!
_________________ 1969 VW Beetle Convertible |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8688 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2019 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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Brian wrote: |
Q-Dog wrote: |
I have come across license plate frames with the brake ligt built in. Haven't used one so can't attest to the quality. Search in hot rod parts catalogs. |
Autozone special these things are. They're actually pretty cool and easy to wire in. But they're made out of plastic and the wire it comes with is like 20 gauge. $20 for some cheap plastic that you have to tape together or it'll fall apart. Just wish they were made out of metal.
https://www.autozone.com/license-plate-and-accesso.../20356_0_0
https://www.amazon.com/Pilot-Automotive-WL704-RW-S...&psc=1
Would not recommend wasting the money. |
I don't see where I said to look at FLAPS or Amazon. Try Summit Racing, or other hot rod shops. I see metal frames ... chrome plated, billet, polished aluminum, black powder coat. Lots of choices, $30 and up. _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2019 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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Q-Dog wrote: |
I don't see where I said to look at FLAPS or Amazon. Try Summit Racing, or other hot rod shops. I see metal frames ... chrome plated, billet, polished aluminum, black powder coat. Lots of choices, $30 and up. |
I'll take a look, if you stumble across any let me know _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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sjbartnik Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011 Posts: 5986 Location: Brooklyn
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2019 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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This guy should fix his regular brake lights before worrying about a 3rd brake light. _________________ 1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:14 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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Something everyone should do. Clean your grounds and smash some reflective tape in there. Or chrome in a can. And clean your grounds.
_________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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Gerrelt Samba Member
Joined: December 22, 2004 Posts: 682 Location: The Netherlands
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 4:43 am Post subject: Re: 3rd Brake Light Ideas for Convertible? |
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CarlIseminger wrote: |
I found a third brake light that I made work for me.
While searching for hidden stereo systems, I ended up on a motorcycle website. And there they had brake lights with brackets. I was only searching for third brake lights. Never thought to look for just a brake light.
So after more searching on various bike sites, I found a brake light and bracket that I felt would work on my convertible.
My plan was to mount it behind the license plate light hood. This way, it doesn't block the vents and the top doesn't hit it when open. I had to cut and modify the bracket a bit and I had trim away the gasket. I might have cut too much gasket off. So will have to order a new one this spring.
I think it looks OK there. And I installed a flasher inline with the power, so it flashes when you first step on the brake. Then holds steady. I want to grab their attention back there!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1869426.jpg
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1869427.jpg
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That looks great! Nice job.
I did the same thing, I got a LED motorcycle rear light, and installed it on the vents above the engine lid. But mine doesn't look as good as yours.
Mine is a LED strip, and looks just a bit too modern.
Where did you get yours? And what brand is it? _________________ homepage
_________________ |
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