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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Advice on 3rd brake light or not

  • Thread starter Thread starter lemosley1973
  • Start date Start date Jul 12, 2020
L

lemosley1973

Doing something with a heavy tranny now
Feb 18, 2019
222
66
38
Clover, SC
Jul 12, 2020
#1
  • Jul 12, 2020
  • #1
I acquired a rear decklid for my 88 convertible because I need the lugagge rack and spoiler off of it.

This lid is from a newer Fox with the 3rd brake light. My old deck lid doesn't have a sport for the 3rd brake light, soI'd have to wire the 3rd brake light in.

Should I put the new deck lid on and wire the 3rd light in or just swap the luggage rack over to the old deck. I'm not sure if the car would look better with the 3rd brake light or without it.

I assume the 3rd light isn't acting as structural support for the spoiler.
 
L

lemosley1973

Doing something with a heavy tranny now
Feb 18, 2019
222
66
38
Clover, SC
Jul 12, 2020
#2
  • Jul 12, 2020
  • #2
N/m - I just measured and I would have to drill new holes on my old decklid to get the new luggage pieces to fit.
3rd brake light it is!
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,248
17,928
224
Massachusetts
Jul 12, 2020
#3
  • Jul 12, 2020
  • #3
I wouldt drive a car without one. So many people are trained to react to the 3rd light.

I had a DD with a burned out 3rd brake light and always observed people late braking and then swearing at me. I fixed the light and somehow all that stopped.

i consider it the most important of the three lights
 
Last edited: Jul 13, 2020

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,899
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polk county florida
Jul 12, 2020
#4
  • Jul 12, 2020
  • #4
The 'dump truck' has 6 brake lights so is that 4 third brake lights?
 
L

lemosley1973

Doing something with a heavy tranny now
Feb 18, 2019
222
66
38
Clover, SC
Jul 13, 2020
#5
  • Jul 13, 2020
  • #5
General karthief said:
The 'dump truck' has 6 brake lights so is that 4 third brake lights?
Click to expand...

6? You are at least 3 times as safe.
 

Ryuk

I love your drawers
5 Year Member
Apr 22, 2017
1,683
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Jul 13, 2020
#6
  • Jul 13, 2020
  • #6
Third brake lights were standard equipment starting in 1985. How did your 88 not have one?
 
L

lemosley1973

Doing something with a heavy tranny now
Feb 18, 2019
222
66
38
Clover, SC
Jul 13, 2020
#7
  • Jul 13, 2020
  • #7
Didn't know that. Maybe the lid was replaced but I haven't found any dangling plugs that would connect the 3rd light, though I haven't specifically looked.

Did 88a have 4 or 5 luggage rack pieces. Tou can see mone only had 4.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,248
17,928
224
Massachusetts
Jul 13, 2020
#8
  • Jul 13, 2020
  • #8
Coupes and convertibles had luggage racks. Coupes were uncommon with them, but they were available


BUT, I've seen 4, 5 and 6 rails.



Four


Five


Six



I've only seen 5 on convertibles.

I think you have an 'coupe trunk lid that happened to have a 4-rail luggage rack. Rare part.


This is what should be on an '88 vert
 
L

lemosley1973

Doing something with a heavy tranny now
Feb 18, 2019
222
66
38
Clover, SC
Jul 13, 2020
#9
  • Jul 13, 2020
  • #9
Interesting. Too bad some idiot removed them (not me). God I hate people.

The lid I acquired for a spare is correct for my year, in that case. However, the left corner was damaged and the repair was bondo on that I found as I was wire brushing the rust around the seams (because the seem sealer failed). My decklid is perfect, other than the bondo job on the holes so...what to do. The lid was essentially free - I was after the hood since mine had a 4" cowl hood, which is ridiculous, not to mention it blocks your view. It's a nice Cervinis hood, so it gets sold or traded (maybe for some gt40 heads and intake).

Maybe I can source the luggage pieces....thought I doubt it because the ones on the replacement are riveted in place, and I assume there is some sort of bracket underneath those that is secure to the deck somehow.

The other thing is I need some sort of sealer for the luggage rack pieces - I'd imagine it was rubber back in the day.
 
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