How To: Make clear third brake light on s13 vert/coupe

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94_240sx
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I didn't like the first one that I made last year, so I made some improvement on this version.

This is the hardest part. You need to remove the red lense without damaging other parts. Bake method didn't work, but a heat gun worked pretty well. I pryed the red lense out as it melted by heat gun. You need a valance which is located right underneath the lense, so don't damage it. I didn't use valance when I made the first version and lighting was terrible. Outer edge is not clean as you can see in below picture, but it's okay because clear lense will cover it.
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Fluorescent light cover that I bought from Home Depot. As you can see I used the side portion.
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Here's the fitment on OE light. There's a gap.
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I used a Dremel to cut and shape it.
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Here's mine. It fits perfectly like this. Take your time and trim the sides slowly.
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I just used double sided tape to attach the lense to the valance.
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Of course, you need a red LED bulb.
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Red lense was slightly thicker than new clear lense, so I used washers in the back to push it out a little. I tried two washers on each side and it pushed out a little too much.
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Done.
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When it's on.
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Last edited by 94_240sx on Tue May 03, 2011 11:05 am, edited 1 time in total.


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-RJ-
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Guess where I'm going right now

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biggie
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Thought of getting LED strip to make it span the full width? Or would it not fit?

94_240sx
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biggie wrote:Thought of getting LED strip to make it span the full width? Or would it not fit?
I don't want it too bright, so... Besides, I've never worked with LEDs.

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Hijacker
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It looks a bit dim to me in that second pic. Probably cause it's in the daylight. But you can never be too bright on a third stop lamp, IMO.

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breadbox
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nice. great work. Looks stock.


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