Third brake light... up or out?

kaffeene · 03-24-2005, 09:38 PM

With a 33" spare the third brake light either needs a riser or has to come out.
Where can I find such a riser or how to make my own?

Is it legal (NJ) to remove the third brake light?

thanks

BeatAChevy289 · 03-24-2005, 09:46 PM

I removed mine just because. The way I see it is this. I don't think the first YJ's had them and you can't tell a YJ's year by just looking at one. If a cop pulls you over I doubt he will even notice (at least it's that way in GA) because of this factor. I asked my best buddy who is a cop about it and he said that if they don't know the code for the minor thing they see wrong with a vehicle, they usually won't take the time to look it up because they really don't care.

To make it rise up all you'd have to do is get some bolts a few inches longer than the stock ones and some solid conduit or other pipe. Unbolt the light assmebly from the carrier, slide new bolts into the light bracket, put tubing between the light bracket and the tire mount (with the bolts going through the tubing), torque it down and you should be good to go. You may have to splice the wire and solder in a few more pieces for legnth and then you should be fine. I think you can order a kit like this from quadratec or some other catalog but I'd just as soon try to remedy something that simple myself. Later <><

**tobias94yj** · 03-24-2005, 10:00 PM

You will probably not pass your NJ state inspection without it. Every vehicle after like 89 or 90 is required to have a third brake light and that is not state but federal, luckily TN does not do a state inspection because one of the bulbs in mine shorted out and I just removed it. But you can guarantee that they will pop you NJ unless you know of some shop that you can get the hook up at. I used to have to get a virginia state inspection when I was in the navy and I know there you just had ask around with some the 4 wheelin guys and find out where they take theirs to.

jeepsgotnutz · 03-24-2005, 10:57 PM

I believe that any vehicle after 94 is required to have it. Thats the year that all US Autos came with one as standard equip.

skylinerider · 03-24-2005, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepsgotnutz

I believe that any vehicle after 94 is required to have it. Thats the year that all US Autos came with one as standard equip.

I believe it is 94. My 93 didn't come with a 3rd brakelight.

JustPassinThru · 03-25-2005, 01:53 AM

BAC has it right - nobody's going to know the year of your YJ by looking at it.

If it's inspection time, maybe the answer is to put your factory spare, or A tire, on the carrier, and bolt that stupid-looking periscope on for the inspection.

Me? I'm trying to rig a third brake-light right in the center of the spare. I believe in the things; but I cannot abide the look of that stupid reverse-scoop.

**tobias94yj** · 03-25-2005, 03:53 AM

you guys are probably right on the year I thought it was earlier but that's cool.

pyro9862 · 03-25-2005, 06:40 AM

Some inspection places care, others don't. I failed saftey once at one place for the third light being burnt out so I took it to another and passed (wasn't on a jeep and the light had I think 4 $20 or so bulbs in it so I wasn't going to fork over that money).

bane51031 · 03-25-2005, 10:27 AM

I took some longer bolts and some hockey pucks I had, drilled holes in the pucks inserted bolts through them and presto it was done, the nice thing is it has alittle give to it so when I throw the spare up there and hit it it flexes.

I also got a stainless cover that says"Jeep" on it for the light cover, it looks cool when I brake, IMHO....

kaffeene · 03-25-2005, 02:27 PM

Ok.. thanks.. I figured just some pvc pipe would do it or something like that.

LNDSRK · 03-25-2005, 03:43 PM

I have a 95, and removed it when I went to 33's. If the light is there it has to be functional. If you remove it, there is nothing to inspect. Same with rear marker lights, for those flush mounting. At least this is what Virginia is like.

JustPassinThru · 03-27-2005, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNDSRK

I have a 95, and removed it when I went to 33's. If the light is there it has to be functional. If you remove it, there is nothing to inspect. Same with rear marker lights, for those flush mounting. At least this is what Virginia is like.

Not true. Depending on year and vehicle class, certain lights are required. Post-1969, they must have side marker lights, and post-1985 or post-1994 for multipurpose, they must have the third brake light.

But many inspection stations don't care beyond glaring faults and getting the fee.

bono426 · 03-27-2005, 09:14 AM

look in the cheap tricks section, some guy did a nice mod for the third brake light...

jimmysjeepn · 03-27-2005, 10:34 AM

i removed mine for fun. I think it looks better without it. It was really easy to take off as well.