Removing 3rd brake light...

loudog3114 · 01-12-2006, 12:58 PM

I cant imagine this would be too hard to do but I was wondering about the wiring. When you remove it, did you ave to cut the wires or do they disconnect somewhere? Also, is the big grey connector from the wheel well to the rear door easy to remove as well?

JoonHoss · 01-12-2006, 01:13 PM

when I did mine (IIRC) I did have to cut the wires, but I did them inside the cover of the rear tailgate, so that I could resplice inside if it ever needed to go back on. the plug that the wiring passes through (in the tailgate) has very small holes, and you can't get the wire out throught them.
I pulled all the additional wiring, and put a rubber plug in the hole of the tailgate.

hth

98JEEPTJ · 01-12-2006, 01:14 PM

The question has come up before if it is legal to remove the 3rd light brake light. Not sure what the answer is but could depend on your state. I wouldn't want you to do it then get a ticket.

**Jerry Bransford** · 01-12-2006, 01:23 PM

If I didn't have to, I sure wouldn't remove it... too many drunk/stoned/inattentive drivers out there that need all the help they can get to notice I have applied my brakes.

I had to remove mine due to my ORF spare tire carrier but I will fab up a replacement 3rd brakelight somehow.

emcee5000 · 01-12-2006, 01:25 PM

You can always buy a $4.99 plug-in trailer hitch brake light. That's what I did to pass.

**Jerry Bransford** · 01-12-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcee5000

You can always buy a $4.99 plug-in trailer hitch brake light. That's what I did to pass.

The light itself isn't the issue, that's easy. It's finding/fabricating a mounting location that is my issue after removing the OE spare tire carrier.

98JEEPTJ · 01-12-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

The light itself isn't the issue, that's easy. It's finding/fabricating a mounting location that is my issue after removing the OE spare tire carrier.

I think he is talking about a light that goes in the reciever...

**Jerry Bransford** · 01-12-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98JEEPTJ

I think he is talking about a light that goes in the reciever...

DOH! I read it too quickly.

Cross Eyed · 01-12-2006, 01:43 PM

on my 05, I didn't have to cut the wires. just unplug.

airduds · 01-12-2006, 03:11 PM

FWIW your third brake light works with the Bestop Oversize Spare Tire Carrier (up to a 35" tire).

Blue77 · 01-13-2006, 08:16 AM

You can 'un-plug' any of the TJ 3rd lights.. you might have to tear apart the door some (not a big deal) .. but the contacts are just two metal plates at the door jam.. you can pull the wires from there

**bradleyfitz** · 01-13-2006, 09:02 AM

Assuming the 99 is the same as the 98, and I believe it is, removing the 3rd brake light is easy. Take off your spare, unplug the contacts from inside the Jeep (at the tailgate), remove the rubber gromet on the outside of the tailgate that the wires run through, feed the wires out of the tailgate, unscrew the 3rd brake light from the tire carrier. Done.

Blue77 · 01-13-2006, 09:05 AM

Same tailgate on all TJ's (they did a redesign of the metal around '00 but even their replacements for the pre '00s use the 'new' metal), as far as electronics and lock goes...

JeepXJ00 · 01-13-2006, 09:29 AM

I cut mine from the housing at the plug the light goes into. Then I bought a LED strip from Autozone and relocated it to my tire carrier bumper. Much brighter and much smaller than that big brake light. I shorted it the first time though b/c Chrysler that it would be cool to make their black wire hot and the white wire the ground. Since when do you do that.

Oh well a meter got me going in the right direction.

**Flatbroke** · 01-13-2006, 09:58 AM

Mine unplugged too. The connections were under the plastic cover on the tailgate

01-12-2006, 03:11 PM	#10
airduds Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 504 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	FWIW your third brake light works with the Bestop Oversize Spare Tire Carrier (up to a 35" tire). __________________ 2000 Sport 4.0/both tops/5sp/4.88s/Dana 44 Truetrac rear/Dana 30 Aussie Locker front/Ramsey 9500 receiver mounted for front and rear/RE 5.5" LA/15"x10" M/T Classic II's/Dunlop Mud Rover 35's/TBT Alumi-Flex tie rod

01-13-2006, 09:02 AM	#12
bradleyfitz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 847 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Assuming the 99 is the same as the 98, and I believe it is, removing the 3rd brake light is easy. Take off your spare, unplug the contacts from inside the Jeep (at the tailgate), remove the rubber gromet on the outside of the tailgate that the wires run through, feed the wires out of the tailgate, unscrew the 3rd brake light from the tire carrier. Done. __________________ 98 Sahara, hp44/hp60, warn 5x5.5 premium hub conversion, 4.88, arb's, hydro assist, RE 4.5 SF /w 3.5 springs, Novak / Teraflex SS SYE, currie anti-rock, JKS 1.25" BL, 36" bias iroks, PSC Tube fenders /w 3" flare, PSC Ricochet Rockers, custom rear bumper, btf front bumper / winch plate, warn 9.5ti, full cage, TwistedStitch seats, RCI-2161a fuel cell

01-13-2006, 09:29 AM	#14
JeepXJ00 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Delaware/Newark, NJ Posts: 229 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I cut mine from the housing at the plug the light goes into. Then I bought a LED strip from Autozone and relocated it to my tire carrier bumper. Much brighter and much smaller than that big brake light. I shorted it the first time though b/c Chrysler that it would be cool to make their black wire hot and the white wire the ground. Since when do you do that. Oh well a meter got me going in the right direction. __________________ 2003 JEEP WRANGLER X-4.0L 5spd 4" Superlift 33x12.5x15 Trxus

01-12-2006, 01:43 PM	#9
Cross Eyed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muncie / Indy, Indiana Posts: 74 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	on my 05, I didn't have to cut the wires. just unplug.

01-13-2006, 08:16 AM	#11
Blue77 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 31 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	You can 'un-plug' any of the TJ 3rd lights.. you might have to tear apart the door some (not a big deal) .. but the contacts are just two metal plates at the door jam.. you can pull the wires from there

01-13-2006, 09:05 AM	#13
Blue77 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 31 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Same tailgate on all TJ's (they did a redesign of the metal around '00 but even their replacements for the pre '00s use the 'new' metal), as far as electronics and lock goes...