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Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 12:27 pm
by bossbob
Some have suggested that I convert all 4 rear lights so they operate as brake lights. So, I'm curious as to how many have done this, and what is the procedure.

How would I wire the other two lights, is it as simple as splicing into the brake light harness and not using the factory harness for the top 2 lights?

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 1:23 pm
by todd lorber
So, I'm assuming your car is a '68?
Yes, all you'd have to do is splice into the brake light wire and make a small pigtail to feed the other light. Same with the turn signal if you wanted them to operate like a '69-'70.
Please do a proper splice (solder and shrink tube) rather than just the cheesy crimp on fittings. There are wiring diagrams on this site, but it should be pretty self evident which wires you need to access.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:15 pm
by Curtis
If it's a 68 you won't have turn lights unless you use the dimmer tail light filament on the lower or upper. Not recommended.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 7:31 pm
by Pjackb
Curtis wrote: Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:15 pm If it's a 68 you won't have turn lights unless you use the dimmer tail light filament on the lower or upper. Not recommended.
You comment got me thinking have we seen anyone retrofit the reflectors to act as turn signal? it could be bright enough with LEDs

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 10:12 pm
by zippy67roadster
I did it on my 67 1600 race car as I have no need for turn signals, LOL. I even converted them to LED's so cars behind me can really see them.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2021 10:14 pm
by redroadster
It s better to get a higher 3rd brake lite , like a LED strip .
Most drivers see the 3rd / high brake lite 1st ....that's how its existence developed

I knew a guy that had a Mizzou Law school license plate frame on his Miata I asked him if he went there , "No , but it seems everybody backs off when they notice it "

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 10:50 am
by bossbob
Curtis wrote: Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:15 pm If it's a 68 you won't have turn lights unless you use the dimmer tail light filament on the lower or upper. Not recommended.
Are you talking about the bulbs themselves? The car has 1157 dual filament bulbs in all four lights right now. It's how I got the car. If I splice from the lower loom and run a pigtail to the upper loom can I do both, the brake light wire, and the turn light wire, and have them work. Or is this what your saying is not recommended?

Yes, my car is a 68, this is not something that has to be done, just a recommendation I had heard somewhere before.

Thanks again.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 11:15 am
by Curtis
It can't be done with one filament. Brake light supplies constant power and turn on-off power. Brake power will cancel turn and you'll be feeding back through.

69-70 has different wiring and turn switch so one side flashes and the other brake lights.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 11:32 am
by spl310
Curtis wrote: Fri Oct 15, 2021 11:15 am It can't be done with one filament. Brake light supplies constant power and turn on-off power. Brake power will cancel turn and you'll be feeding back through.

69-70 has different wiring and turn switch so one side flashes and the other brake lights.
Could you use one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-58240-Non-P ... 0GI6&psc=1

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 12:00 pm
by Curtis
spl310 wrote: Fri Oct 15, 2021 11:32 am
Curtis wrote: Fri Oct 15, 2021 11:15 am It can't be done with one filament. Brake light supplies constant power and turn on-off power. Brake power will cancel turn and you'll be feeding back through.

69-70 has different wiring and turn switch so one side flashes and the other brake lights.
Could you use one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-58240-Non-P ... 0GI6&psc=1
Well sure if you want to change all your wiring, buy a turn switch, hazard switch, have system that's much more complicated. Frankly I hate making the high window harnesses, especially the 69-70. I added a third brake light, simple.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 12:02 pm
by Curtis
One of what? No link.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:10 pm
by spl310
Odd, the link shows when I look at it. The item is a CURT 58240 Non-Powered 3-to-2-Wire Splice-in Tail Light Converter, Not Compatible with LED Lights. It is intended for trailer lights to convert from the independent turn signal and brake lights to the combined.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:36 pm
by Curtis
I have one on my truck but I couldn't tell you.

Re: Wiring all rear lights for brake lights

Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 7:00 pm
by Mattk
You know I really debated on this topic of weather to go “integrated” or “non-integrated.” In the end I’m going non-integrated. The reasoning is that, even though more brakes lights are way better, I like the look of the turn signals back there and I plan on having a lot of really bright lights on the roll bar with the flashing module. Plus the particular way I’m wiring up things it’s just easier. So I hope that my strobing spot lights will be adequate if not I’m screwed.

m2c

Cheers