Adding a Third Brake Light
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 641
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From: TX
Adding a Third Brake Light
So I have a '93 f150 and I wan't to add a third brake light in
place of the cargo light. I know the third brake light assembly
is slightly larger so can someone post a pic of how larger the
cutout hole for the third brake light is compared to the cargo light.
Wiring this doesn't seem a problem but cutting it...
place of the cargo light. I know the third brake light assembly
is slightly larger so can someone post a pic of how larger the
cutout hole for the third brake light is compared to the cargo light.
Wiring this doesn't seem a problem but cutting it...
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 459
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From: Fayetteville, NC
im in the middle of wanting to do this as well.....just need to find a donor, from what ive been told the hole is the same, all the size difference is in the outside housing....like i said, thats what the parts puller at the salvage yard said....i dont know first hand....
couldnt be that difficult though if they are different sizes......dremel with a cut off wheel, and a tracing of the larger hole centered over the 93's hole
the screw holes are farther apart i would imagine...still no biggie
couldnt be that difficult though if they are different sizes......dremel with a cut off wheel, and a tracing of the larger hole centered over the 93's hole
the screw holes are farther apart i would imagine...still no biggie
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 641
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From: TX
im in the middle of wanting to do this as well.....just need to find a donor, from what ive been told the hole is the same, all the size difference is in the outside housing....like i said, thats what the parts puller at the salvage yard said....i dont know first hand....
couldnt be that difficult though if they are different sizes......dremel with a cut off wheel, and a tracing of the larger hole centered over the 93's hole
the screw holes are farther apart i would imagine...still no biggie
couldnt be that difficult though if they are different sizes......dremel with a cut off wheel, and a tracing of the larger hole centered over the 93's hole
the screw holes are farther apart i would imagine...still no biggie
yup it's all about making it look nicer and adding some safety as well.
ha I don't have a problem finding a donor since the salvage yard I always visit is full of these trucks. Yesterday I went and without looking hard I found 1 f150 and 2 f250's with the third brake light. I forgot to buy it though as I was looking for a computer for my truck. When you find a donor truck be sure to rip off the adapter too. Makes it easier and all you have to do is run a wire to your brake light switch and bam.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 459
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From: Fayetteville, NC
well, not much anyways.....loli did find a donor though.....maybe i can make it out tomorrow to pick it up......ill get pics of the donor hole so you can pull yours and compare the differences until i get my lazy azz busy again
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Don't know about the sizes but a note on the wiring.
We talked about this with another member few weeks back, adding a third brake light as to not interfere with turn signals.
While replacing the master cylinder couple days ago on my 95 I couldn't help notice the wire tied back at the connector under its fluid reservoir. Wrapped there with a tag states "Feed for high mount stop lamp" (wording to that effect).
Never noticed it on my 94, its parked way out back so I didn't look at it just now, anyway surely worth a look see for it on your 93.
'92 and up this generation are the same wiring wise so it'd stand to reason it be there?
We talked about this with another member few weeks back, adding a third brake light as to not interfere with turn signals.
While replacing the master cylinder couple days ago on my 95 I couldn't help notice the wire tied back at the connector under its fluid reservoir. Wrapped there with a tag states "Feed for high mount stop lamp" (wording to that effect).
Never noticed it on my 94, its parked way out back so I didn't look at it just now, anyway surely worth a look see for it on your 93.
'92 and up this generation are the same wiring wise so it'd stand to reason it be there?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 459
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From: Fayetteville, NC
if i tear into this and all the wiring is already there that would be sooooo sweet.....
lol, now i have my fingers crossed
lol, now i have my fingers crossed
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Fulton County, Pa.
I've got a '91 & have thought about doing that. I hate electrical, how would you get your wiring from up there down to the brake light switch? Is there enough room to drop the wires down & where do they come out at when you do? If I could get the wiring down to about floor level, I could probably figure it out from there. Run it under the door sill & behind the kick panel to splice into the brake light wire coming from the switch.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: TX
@93MARKIII: yes a pic would be good. 
@danr1: ill check it out but I doubt that the wire is labeled. I am gonna have to figure it out. The good thing is that it can be done.
@1OldFordMan: I have and Ext. Cab... I would try and make the wire go thru my left speaker hole then just bring it down and run it under the door sill and behind the kick panel to the switch. Ofcourse the easier method is to remove your headliner. Im certain that it will give you access to where your cargo lamp is.
@danr1: ill check it out but I doubt that the wire is labeled. I am gonna have to figure it out. The good thing is that it can be done.
@1OldFordMan: I have and Ext. Cab... I would try and make the wire go thru my left speaker hole then just bring it down and run it under the door sill and behind the kick panel to the switch. Ofcourse the easier method is to remove your headliner. Im certain that it will give you access to where your cargo lamp is.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: TX
Yeah wiring isn't there. Still no biggie I have patience and well making my mounting hole bigger ehh... I think i'll do it. Need to pay the junkyard a visit again and i'll be tearing out what's left of the '93 that was there lol. I am waiting for 93MARKIII... he is supposed to post or send me a pic of the bigger mounting hole so I can compare it to mine.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
Hey Man, I got your PM. I think you would be better off using a light as a template to size up for cutting and drilling. I can still take a picture if you need it, but I don't think it will do you much good. I have a new spare 3rd brake light here that I'll give you the measurements from.
The mounting holes are just barely under 9 1/4 inches apart.
The total width of the light is 11 1/4 inches at the widest point.
The light is 1 1/2 inches tall.
The opening in the cab is going to need to be about 8 1/2 inches to allow the back of the light to fit.
I forgot how the earlier cargo light mounts, but the 3rd brake cargo light combo mounts using screws and the nylon push in retainers.
The mounting holes are just barely under 9 1/4 inches apart.
The total width of the light is 11 1/4 inches at the widest point.
The light is 1 1/2 inches tall.
The opening in the cab is going to need to be about 8 1/2 inches to allow the back of the light to fit.
I forgot how the earlier cargo light mounts, but the 3rd brake cargo light combo mounts using screws and the nylon push in retainers.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 459
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From: Fayetteville, NC
sorry took me so long to get back to this......
yep, the opening is going to need to be cut out for the width of the light to fit in, the height of the opening is the same..... i found a donor for 7 bucks, but make sure when you get one that you check the plugs in the back......my brakes like plug is cooked and i cant see a way to get it out to change the bulb without breaking it apart.....on to find another donor...
the donor i found has two screws, one at either end......they screw into those clip things that slid over a larger hole for the screw to pass thru....... where the holes are on the cab are dimpled to let the clip sit flush with the sheet metal......should be an easy upgrade still though, if i can find a decent donor piece
yep, the opening is going to need to be cut out for the width of the light to fit in, the height of the opening is the same..... i found a donor for 7 bucks, but make sure when you get one that you check the plugs in the back......my brakes like plug is cooked and i cant see a way to get it out to change the bulb without breaking it apart.....on to find another donor...
the donor i found has two screws, one at either end......they screw into those clip things that slid over a larger hole for the screw to pass thru....... where the holes are on the cab are dimpled to let the clip sit flush with the sheet metal......should be an easy upgrade still though, if i can find a decent donor piece
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,346
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From: Baltimore
First get the lamp assembly. Make a card board template. Tape it
to the cab and start cutting.
I used a cut off wheel for the straight areas and drilled small holes
for the corners. Then used a file to fine tune it.
Here's 2 pictures of a factory installed unit on a 94.
to the cab and start cutting.
I used a cut off wheel for the straight areas and drilled small holes
for the corners. Then used a file to fine tune it.
Here's 2 pictures of a factory installed unit on a 94.