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View Full Version : (How To:) 3rd Brake Light on 5door. (LED clean look) 56k warning



mr.3
03-26-2005, 01:39 PM
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. LED’s
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.
http://storage.msn.com/x1pxOYwqu4SjF5RUe46-9_nnViZ1VFkboXIyXKjt1p1oetmuiqUexn7kevsp2EfJ_q5pno mXhJmG7z9oZkafZq5kCvBjmHPk0GkykNaz6g4chly8RfzkNEH8 A

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.
http://storage.msn.com/x1pxOYwqu4SjF5RUe46-9_nnViZ1VFkboXIyXKjt1p1oev8UGiRpNIfrt7RibduZ6xLsgr jA1UqdBvVRm_9TEM8-JC9gqLmqSWf7mu3LDtvgY_soP0YCn_tIA
http://storage.msn.com/x1pxOYwqu4SjF5RUe46-9_nnViZ1VFkboXIyXKjt1p1oeta6ibESEX7577hpvBC0TxZGDI vK2-eU-BHjzzw6MlQhwzpQy7npSgTDlQmewb-W_DFlxnmS7Xfww

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. http://storage.msn.com/x1pxOYwqu4SjF5RUe46-9_nnViZ1VFkboXIyXKjt1p1oet-ayQ3YDq0uNnvAFGLBfWNKac24yG86WmMlU9Q0dnUsw9udbGkIM eq5YCieZ04Rg4YWoyRHzW9Fg

7. mount your LEDS on the board. I got these self mounting LEDS (with double sided tape. you just sick them on)

http://storage.msn.com/x1pxOYwqu4SjF5RUe46-9_nnViZ1VFkboXIyXKjt1p1oevw1tseKQTBQJjRCdnPWbYKT2_ Yu3M6CwUcz71IrltoLa6aKf9bM-Aoz_g-pYt6GtsQKxc159UJ-A

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...

http://storage.msn.com/x1pxOYwqu4SjF5RUe46-9_nnViZ1VFkboXIyXKjt1p1oevWjPVsixe0JvK8Lu_AZI_eTi3 RFFQ-cfOxC0Z_oJlN3zJjmjsAz6VmAq8pSCufie24RaM1nlGXUw

http://storage.msn.com/x1pxOYwqu4SjF5RUe46-9_nnViZ1VFkboXIyXKjt1p1oesTdu9-qhJ9KF_H-et0OxNWQUIvDs66jyAL1KLMD0pZfd374K8oRBNZDdSwAiEbGqd BTODwOPD6mQ

rum
03-26-2005, 11:39 PM
not bad. i think i would like it with alot more, smaller led's, but very innovative to say the least.

djltoronto
03-27-2005, 02:05 AM
I like that a lot.

EMAGDNIM
03-27-2005, 02:38 AM
Same...its nice...great work...

mr.3
03-27-2005, 02:49 AM
Thanks all...

That damb spray glue! its still on my freekin hands (hand)

Captain KRM P5
03-27-2005, 02:51 AM
nice work, very nice write up as well.

KTL
03-27-2005, 09:37 PM
Hi Guys

I just noticed there's a nice mod that can be done to the Mazda 3 third brake light,

This item is available on eBay listed in USD. It is selling for USD$50 plus $10 shipping.

eBay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4538770335&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1)

I think it's quite cool, what do you guys think?

Modded Third brake light
http://users.tpg.com.au/adslxq59/mazda3/normal_DSCN0243.jpg

Original stock brake light
http://users.tpg.com.au/adslxq59/mazda3/Stock_light.jpg

Gambino
03-27-2005, 09:41 PM
Nice work! Love it! As for the one on ebay.....not bad, not worth $50

mr.3
03-29-2005, 12:57 AM
Crap, I should just quit my job now. I'll get a couple of 6 year old's from thailand and get them working!!! Anyone else want in???

mobomelter
03-29-2005, 01:28 AM
i think its worth 50 bucks. that would be a pain to solder up yourself.

tgv121281
03-29-2005, 07:05 PM
I'min, not for the brake light...but for the sweat shop...anyone else?

KTL
05-31-2005, 08:25 AM
The hatch back version LED third light just released !!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4553511113&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT

:D :D :D

Brian MP5T
05-31-2005, 08:29 AM
more, smaller led's

goldwing2000
05-31-2005, 11:26 AM
The hatch back version LED third light just released !!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4553511113&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT

:D :D :D

It's cool but still not worth 50 bucks.

Shiney_McShine
06-13-2005, 09:17 AM
It's cool but still not worth 50 bucks.
I concur.

majic
06-23-2005, 11:06 AM
more, smaller led's

you mean like this? (sssh)

http://myfilehut.com/userfiles/majic/20050622_LED_brake_light/IMG_1493.jpg

http://myfilehut.com/userfiles/majic/20050622_LED_brake_light/IMG_1506.jpg

http://myfilehut.com/userfiles/majic/20050622_LED_brake_light/IMG_1524.jpg

for more check out the link in my sig...

Lil Freek
06-23-2005, 11:10 AM
that's slick :)

RedRaptor
06-23-2005, 01:48 PM
Looks good...except for all that glue.

mr.3
06-27-2005, 01:48 AM
NICE JOB BRO! that looks GREAT! good mod

Monkey_3
06-27-2005, 11:44 AM
I think you guys with the 3 row small LEDs have lost the effect of the LED look because theres too many. Kinda looks like a solid red block. I have the 2 row LED and i personally think it looks much better.

http://img141.echo.cx/img141/4051/imgp02770pg.th.jpg (http://img141.echo.cx/my.php?image=imgp02770pg.jpg)

http://img141.echo.cx/img141/5658/imgp02780ws.th.jpg (http://img141.echo.cx/my.php?image=imgp02780ws.jpg)

RockBlocker
07-14-2005, 07:29 PM
Looks nice with the LED's. We have been thinking about doing a smoked kit for the third brake.

Getting2knowMaz
07-14-2005, 09:15 PM
That looks nice, but what's the freakin POINT???? Its not like you are seeing it!

ZoomVT
07-15-2005, 09:12 AM
hey very cool guys. i think the 2 row looks better than the 3 row, especially on the sedan. the 1 row looks good on the hatch.
i think i may just have to do this myself.

RockBlocker: will that 3rd brake light smoke kit be part of the kit for the tail lights and refelctors?

RockBlocker
07-15-2005, 09:37 AM
RockBlocker: will that 3rd brake light smoke kit be part of the kit for the tail lights and refelctors?

At this time it is not inlcuded since we have seen a high demand for it, but that could change.

ZoomVT
07-15-2005, 10:34 AM
I know this sounds like thread jacking and post whoring....but for those interested we have a GB for rockblockers smoked reflectors and tail lights. 5 people gives us a small discount, 10 people will hook us up with a better one. we got 4 so far.
linky:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114761

lestat13
07-26-2008, 10:21 AM
The first one posted (the diy) looks exactly like the third brake on my speed3!!

VRMS6
07-26-2008, 03:10 PM
yo realize you bumped a 3 yr old post.....

lestat13
07-26-2008, 03:16 PM
yo realize you bumped a 3 yr old post.....

Oh God!! hahaha, I never check those timestamps(dunno)