Well, I was once a member of this forum (until they booted me for not logging on for a couple of months). Anyway, I got crafty on my day off to create a new 3rd brake light. I never liked the factory one. My 83 Datsun Maxima had the same freekin one (old looking). So for $14 I created a new one.
Whats needed:
1. sharp blade
2. perforated cardboard
3. Styrofoam
4. LEDs
5. glue (I used spray glue)
6. Mazda 3 5door
Steps:
1. Pop off the brake light assembly. There are to clips, one on each side of the light fixture. Stick you fingers in the opening, pushdown on each clip, Wha Lah!
2. Take the crappy looking bulb out
3. Take the red lens of the case. You will need to remove two bits of the felt lining to unclip the lens.
4. trace the lens on a good piece of cardboard and cut it out. You need to trim a bit so it fits INSIDE the housing unlike before where the lens is outside. I also trimmed the top part horizontally.
5. Take your foam and cut into a rectangle shape like shown. It will provide the backing for the cardboard and a good mount. All you have to do is line the casing with the foam and creat notches (you can see the marker points on the case) with your blade. I wedged the foam in place.
6. Glue the foam to the cardboard like shown. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TINTS you are going to need to paint your board black or somethin... I have tints so you cant see anything but the LEDS.
7. mount your LEDS on the board. I got these self mounting LEDS (with double sided tape. you just sick them on)
8. Wire your new brake light to the black and red (+ and -) wires from the original bulb housing and clip your modified housing back up where it belongs. P.S. Make sure you test your LEDS before before you mount and wire it to your car.
I found this to be an easy way... feel free to add opinions or other Ideas to make other's lives easier
This is what you should get...
Whats needed:
1. sharp blade
2. perforated cardboard
3. Styrofoam
4. LEDs
5. glue (I used spray glue)
6. Mazda 3 5door
Steps:
1. Pop off the brake light assembly. There are to clips, one on each side of the light fixture. Stick you fingers in the opening, pushdown on each clip, Wha Lah!
2. Take the crappy looking bulb out
3. Take the red lens of the case. You will need to remove two bits of the felt lining to unclip the lens.
4. trace the lens on a good piece of cardboard and cut it out. You need to trim a bit so it fits INSIDE the housing unlike before where the lens is outside. I also trimmed the top part horizontally.
5. Take your foam and cut into a rectangle shape like shown. It will provide the backing for the cardboard and a good mount. All you have to do is line the casing with the foam and creat notches (you can see the marker points on the case) with your blade. I wedged the foam in place.
6. Glue the foam to the cardboard like shown. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TINTS you are going to need to paint your board black or somethin... I have tints so you cant see anything but the LEDS.
7. mount your LEDS on the board. I got these self mounting LEDS (with double sided tape. you just sick them on)
8. Wire your new brake light to the black and red (+ and -) wires from the original bulb housing and clip your modified housing back up where it belongs. P.S. Make sure you test your LEDS before before you mount and wire it to your car.
I found this to be an easy way... feel free to add opinions or other Ideas to make other's lives easier
This is what you should get...
