how to wire 3rd brake light - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1LoC10 · 05-20-2006, 12:15 AM

Let me just first say, I have never wired anything before..lol
so how do I go about hooking up a 3rd brake light, it is just a billet pedastal mount going inside between the seats.. Thanks for any info

glock35ipsc · 05-20-2006, 01:10 AM

You can tap into the wire coming right off of the brake light switch on the brake pedal. Use a test light and find the wire that is hot when the brake is pushed. Red wire from the 3rd light to that one, black to ground.

thecatseye66 · 05-20-2006, 02:04 AM

I think Early Classic Enterprises has an LED light kit that replaces the original cargo-light with a third brake light. I'd have to hunt through their site but I'm I'm home on dial-up right now. WAYTOOSLOOOOWWWW!!!!

The switch behind the pedal is a grounding circuit, though--I think. You wouldn't be able to just tap a hot wire there.

The kit had a plugin-like setup that tapped into the orignal harness somewhere, but I think it also had LED lights for the tailights as part of the kit. I'm not a fan of LED taillights, but I'd like to see a third brake light using a standard 1157 bulb in a cargo-light.

glock35ipsc · 05-20-2006, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecatseye66

The switch behind the pedal is a grounding circuit, though--I think. You wouldn't be able to just tap a hot wire there.

Doh!! Your right. My truck has been in pieces WAAAAY too long!

Longhorn Man · 05-20-2006, 05:12 AM

I don't have my schematics with me at the moment, but I'll bet a kick to teh daddy parts that that switch is on the positive side.
Cat's eye, years ago, before ECE did there conversion, I had mounted a hand full of LEDs in my cargo light, which permitted me to be able to maintain the white light function too. It was pretty badass.
Why don't you like LEDs? I have NEVER seen anyone say that before. Not flaming, just curiouse.

70GMCer · 05-20-2006, 07:22 AM

I did mine. Very easy to do. Find the wires that connect to your brake switch. One wire is 12 volts power and the other wire will send 12 volts to the brake lights when the peddle is pushed. Just tie in your 12 volt wire from your led light to that wire going to the brake lights. It doesn't matter if it's an led or regular 3rd brake light. You won't need the fancy kits to do this.

Here's a picture of mine.

steve

glock35ipsc · 05-20-2006, 11:32 AM

Yup, it is power, and not ground. There is an orange wire, and a white wire. I beleive it is the white wire that you will tap into. But be sure to confirm with a test light or multi-meter.

thecatseye66 · 05-20-2006, 01:23 PM

Andy, you're funny! Kick to the daddy parts...

I don't really hate LED's I just prefer the original look. I'm not a fan of the clear lenses either, but that's just a preference.

You guys are right. My bad--it is a hot wire.

I think I was thinking of the wire that goes to the proportioning valve and I assumed it was the same situation at the pedal.

Steve--that light looks good.

Longhorn Man · 05-20-2006, 03:10 PM

I agree with you about the original look up to a point. That's why I placed LED tail lights under my stock red (and poor condition) lenses in back, and my 3rd brake light/cargo light assembly looks totally stock and unmodified untill you hit the brakes.
The 3rd brake light pic here is with lame, weak, pansey girlie lights... They've been replaced with some kickin LEDs... still looks totally stock with the lens on.
I hope to maybe install that cargo light in a week or two.

05-20-2006, 12:15 AM	#1
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	how to wire 3rd brake light Let me just first say, I have never wired anything before..lol so how do I go about hooking up a 3rd brake light, it is just a billet pedastal mount going inside between the seats.. Thanks for any info __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

05-20-2006, 01:10 AM	#2
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: how to wire 3rd brake light You can tap into the wire coming right off of the brake light switch on the brake pedal. Use a test light and find the wire that is hot when the brake is pushed. Red wire from the 3rd light to that one, black to ground. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

05-20-2006, 02:04 AM	#3
thecatseye66 '68 C-20 396 CST CC Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 454	Re: how to wire 3rd brake light I think Early Classic Enterprises has an LED light kit that replaces the original cargo-light with a third brake light. I'd have to hunt through their site but I'm I'm home on dial-up right now. WAYTOOSLOOOOWWWW!!!! The switch behind the pedal is a grounding circuit, though--I think. You wouldn't be able to just tap a hot wire there. The kit had a plugin-like setup that tapped into the orignal harness somewhere, but I think it also had LED lights for the tailights as part of the kit. I'm not a fan of LED taillights, but I'd like to see a third brake light using a standard 1157 bulb in a cargo-light. __________________ 68 C-20 396/TH400 CST Custom Camper NOW W/DISC BRAKES 01 Jetta Turbo Daily Driver 84 Yamaha Virago 700 - Alaska to Florida Via Maine & Mexico

05-20-2006, 05:12 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: how to wire 3rd brake light I don't have my schematics with me at the moment, but I'll bet a kick to teh daddy parts that that switch is on the positive side. Cat's eye, years ago, before ECE did there conversion, I had mounted a hand full of LEDs in my cargo light, which permitted me to be able to maintain the white light function too. It was pretty badass. Why don't you like LEDs? I have NEVER seen anyone say that before. Not flaming, just curiouse. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 05-20-2006 at 05:20 AM.

05-20-2006, 07:22 AM	#6
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: how to wire 3rd brake light I did mine. Very easy to do. Find the wires that connect to your brake switch. One wire is 12 volts power and the other wire will send 12 volts to the brake lights when the peddle is pushed. Just tie in your 12 volt wire from your led light to that wire going to the brake lights. It doesn't matter if it's an led or regular 3rd brake light. You won't need the fancy kits to do this. Here's a picture of mine. steve Attached Images __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

05-20-2006, 11:32 AM	#7
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: how to wire 3rd brake light Yup, it is power, and not ground. There is an orange wire, and a white wire. I beleive it is the white wire that you will tap into. But be sure to confirm with a test light or multi-meter. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

05-20-2006, 01:23 PM	#8
thecatseye66 '68 C-20 396 CST CC Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 454	Re: how to wire 3rd brake light Andy, you're funny! Kick to the daddy parts... I don't really hate LED's I just prefer the original look. I'm not a fan of the clear lenses either, but that's just a preference. You guys are right. My bad--it is a hot wire. I think I was thinking of the wire that goes to the proportioning valve and I assumed it was the same situation at the pedal. Steve--that light looks good. __________________ 68 C-20 396/TH400 CST Custom Camper NOW W/DISC BRAKES 01 Jetta Turbo Daily Driver 84 Yamaha Virago 700 - Alaska to Florida Via Maine & Mexico

05-20-2006, 03:10 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: how to wire 3rd brake light I agree with you about the original look up to a point. That's why I placed LED tail lights under my stock red (and poor condition) lenses in back, and my 3rd brake light/cargo light assembly looks totally stock and unmodified untill you hit the brakes. The 3rd brake light pic here is with lame, weak, pansey girlie lights... They've been replaced with some kickin LEDs... still looks totally stock with the lens on. I hope to maybe install that cargo light in a week or two. Attached Images

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