How to LED 3rd Roof Brake Light
10-19-2010, 10:20 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 605
How to LED 3rd Roof Brake Light
So this was done using a red waterproof led strip from eBay.
Something like this...
I started out by removing the driver's side rear window molding. There is one 10mm bolt you have to remove and only visible when you open the trunk.
Once that is removed start prying upwards on the molding starting from the bottom and working your way up. There are about four clips holding it on. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the window or the body of the car. Don't want to break glass or dent anything.
Once off should look like so....
Then take you led strip and apply two sided tape to it. I used 3m. You want to clean the led strip really well then I heated up the led and the tape before applying it. Did the same on the window. Cleaned it really well and heated it up.
Before applying the led to the window I set the roof spoiler in position and placed a small piece of the led underneath to see where i could place it without getting in the way of mounting the spoiler. Turned out to be maybe 1/2" from the top of the window.
Also before applying, make sure your wires are running down the driver's side. That is where the rubber boot is where the wires will run in.
You are then able to run the wires down towards the rubber boot going into the vehicle. I just tucked them under the window. The molding will cover it up anyway.
From here you can tap into the existing wires to the factory 3rd brake light (6.5 gens). If you don't have the factory spoiler with 3rd brake light wires should be the same colors found in harness running towards the front of the vehicle.
If you pull up on the boot you can find your wires there.
12v - Red/Green
Ground - Black
From here you should be able to mount your roof spoiler and reassemble everything.
Here you can see they are pretty hidden unless you really look for them.
Night shots...
Video link...
http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/u...t=MVI_0399.mp4
I also ended up putting a black vinyl overlay on the factory 3rd brake light to make it look like part of the spoiler. You could paint it to match the vehicle's color if you don't ever plan on using again.
Something like this...
I started out by removing the driver's side rear window molding. There is one 10mm bolt you have to remove and only visible when you open the trunk.
Once that is removed start prying upwards on the molding starting from the bottom and working your way up. There are about four clips holding it on. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the window or the body of the car. Don't want to break glass or dent anything.
Once off should look like so....
Then take you led strip and apply two sided tape to it. I used 3m. You want to clean the led strip really well then I heated up the led and the tape before applying it. Did the same on the window. Cleaned it really well and heated it up.
Before applying the led to the window I set the roof spoiler in position and placed a small piece of the led underneath to see where i could place it without getting in the way of mounting the spoiler. Turned out to be maybe 1/2" from the top of the window.
Also before applying, make sure your wires are running down the driver's side. That is where the rubber boot is where the wires will run in.
You are then able to run the wires down towards the rubber boot going into the vehicle. I just tucked them under the window. The molding will cover it up anyway.
From here you can tap into the existing wires to the factory 3rd brake light (6.5 gens). If you don't have the factory spoiler with 3rd brake light wires should be the same colors found in harness running towards the front of the vehicle.
If you pull up on the boot you can find your wires there.
12v - Red/Green
Ground - Black
From here you should be able to mount your roof spoiler and reassemble everything.
Here you can see they are pretty hidden unless you really look for them.
Night shots...
Video link...
http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/u...t=MVI_0399.mp4
I also ended up putting a black vinyl overlay on the factory 3rd brake light to make it look like part of the spoiler. You could paint it to match the vehicle's color if you don't ever plan on using again.
10-20-2010, 09:35 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fort Walton Beach
Posts: 679
+1
That's an awesome mod. Couple question's for ya. I've already got my roof spoiler installed so is it possible to take off the rear roof moldings with the spoiler attached. Second, where did you get the LED strip. Lastly, will this work with LED tail lights to include 6 ohm resistors for the LED switchbacks up front (See thread for details: http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...installed.html )
Again, nice job. This is a mod I haven't seen done and will highly consider doing if I can get the rear roof moldings off and still be able to leave the spoiler in. By the way, did you use a plastic pry tool (autozone, etc) that is used specifically for interior or exterior pieces. Looks like the end of a crow bar but made for plastic pieces.
That's an awesome mod. Couple question's for ya. I've already got my roof spoiler installed so is it possible to take off the rear roof moldings with the spoiler attached. Second, where did you get the LED strip. Lastly, will this work with LED tail lights to include 6 ohm resistors for the LED switchbacks up front (See thread for details: http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...installed.html )
Again, nice job. This is a mod I haven't seen done and will highly consider doing if I can get the rear roof moldings off and still be able to leave the spoiler in. By the way, did you use a plastic pry tool (autozone, etc) that is used specifically for interior or exterior pieces. Looks like the end of a crow bar but made for plastic pieces.
10-20-2010, 09:37 AM
#9
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 210
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DEPO-...Q5fAccessories
Other the the Ezkoncepts taillights, those are the only ones we have available... I known them as the depo ones. They come in chrome, red, and black.
Nice work
10-20-2010, 01:51 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
The spoiler looks out of place now in the daylight shots. You'll need to get one without the light if you want to make this look less rigged. During the day people are going to think it's just out, or that you rigged the other...essentially making it look much less stock despite your valiant effort. Other than that it looks cool.
Me personally I'd prefer it to be shorter, not span the entire window. Best example is the Oldsmobile Aurora third light, that one looked sharp, and would look good on any car if you could get it to install inside to look stock...
Me personally I'd prefer it to be shorter, not span the entire window. Best example is the Oldsmobile Aurora third light, that one looked sharp, and would look good on any car if you could get it to install inside to look stock...
10-20-2010, 02:19 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 605
+1
That's an awesome mod. Couple question's for ya. I've already got my roof spoiler installed so is it possible to take off the rear roof moldings with the spoiler attached. Second, where did you get the LED strip. Lastly, will this work with LED tail lights to include 6 ohm resistors for the LED switchbacks up front (See thread for details: http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...installed.html )
Again, nice job. This is a mod I haven't seen done and will highly consider doing if I can get the rear roof moldings off and still be able to leave the spoiler in. By the way, did you use a plastic pry tool (autozone, etc) that is used specifically for interior or exterior pieces. Looks like the end of a crow bar but made for plastic pieces.
That's an awesome mod. Couple question's for ya. I've already got my roof spoiler installed so is it possible to take off the rear roof moldings with the spoiler attached. Second, where did you get the LED strip. Lastly, will this work with LED tail lights to include 6 ohm resistors for the LED switchbacks up front (See thread for details: http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...installed.html )
Again, nice job. This is a mod I haven't seen done and will highly consider doing if I can get the rear roof moldings off and still be able to leave the spoiler in. By the way, did you use a plastic pry tool (autozone, etc) that is used specifically for interior or exterior pieces. Looks like the end of a crow bar but made for plastic pieces.
You will have to remove your roof spoiler to do this right and reinstall it. Otherwise you might be able to stick it underneath and tuck your wires under the molding. It's worth a try.
You won't need any kind of resistors. Just unplug the factory 3rd brake and use those wires.
10-27-2010, 11:12 AM
#23
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Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 605
10-27-2010, 12:38 PM
#25
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 38
10-27-2010, 07:59 PM
#27
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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