Third Brake Light Problem - Page 2

Sportsmobile West · 12-19-2008, 10:08 AM

The stock Ford vans come with a 3rd brake light up top. SMB is required to keep all factory safety features activated, or at least replaced. I am pretty sure it is the law to have that 3rd brake light on newer vehicles, but I am not 100% positive on that.

I'm always happy to jump in and provide information that can be helpful to the forum members. It's the least I can do...after all, I really enjoy perusing the forum! And I do truly appreciate all the good information that can be found here!

I do have to say that the trip reports and campfire posts are a little more enjoyable to read than posts about problems with brake lights, but it's posts like this that allow for the improvement of all SMBs

adventureduo · 12-19-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny

The stock Ford vans come with a 3rd brake light up top. SMB is required to keep all factory safety features activated, or at least replaced. I am pretty sure it is the law to have that 3rd brake light on newer vehicles, but I am not 100% positive on that.:

That's what i figured too. Thanks for posting up and being a part of this forum, it is appreciated.

Scalf77 · 12-19-2008, 11:05 AM

Jonny,
As the original poster of the issue I want to thank you for clarifying the issue. I also want to apologize to fellow forum members if I sent you down the wrong path. I originally posted this a while back and since I did not see any other feedback I figured it was a one off problem. I do not remember seeing any indication of top or bottom on the back. I honestly don't remember looking for it either. The water running out the hole when I flipped it over made me believe it was installed up side down. I have not noticed any wearing on the PH -top, but I will be flipping the light back over after I drill some weep holes. Again, thanks for taking the time and providing your feedback.

-greg

Sportsmobile West · 12-19-2008, 12:11 PM

Greg,

Your heart was definitely in the right place on this one. Your solution to the problem definitely made sense at first...I only realized the repurcussions of this after speaking to a guy that has installed hundreds of these things. I really appreciate you bringing this to my attention and the attention of the forum.

Scalf77 · 03-24-2012, 05:41 PM

So a recent post in the http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vie...3583&start=840 thread brought this back to mind. My original brake light finally gave it up so I was looking for a replacement. They carry replacements at the sportsmobile store, at a good price. http://www.sportsmobilestore.com/rea...penthouse-top/

I drilled a weep hole in the bottom of the light before installing.

I also applied some grease around the cover before putting it one, hopefully that will help keep out some of the water, but at least it should now have a place to drain.

-greg

ANZAC · 03-26-2012, 01:34 PM

Also if you need to replace the light assembly, I did post the link and part number in another thread.

Mine was also full of rust/crud.

Steve_382 · 06-21-2013, 03:51 PM

Mine was a mess also when I looked at it today. I was able to get only one of the new bulbs to work, so I will try to order a new assembly from SMB.

**Gooseberry** · 06-21-2013, 07:06 PM

Ok you made me look and ya I need to replace my light.

Its time for LED and a weep hole.

call you monday Alan or Johnny

**Gooseberry** · 06-22-2013, 05:31 PM

wow clean up the contacts scraped out the gunk and some new bulbs it works. Still in bad shape so a new one is needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooseberry

Ok you made me look and ya I need to replace my light.

Its time for LED and a weep hole.

call you monday Alan or Johnny

REF · 10-13-2013, 10:39 AM

I just replaced the broken rotted out third brake light with an LED trailer style brake light, just had to cut out the hole in the fiberglass a little bigger to fit it in. Its a sealed unit and got the rubber grommet surround and pigtail connecter all from NAPA. Could have gotten it cheaper from an online retailer, but I wanted it "right now, right here". In all was around $30 and looks great and is super bright, big improvement. I would think twice about replacing our 3rd brake lights with the same unsealed unit that SMB originally supplied and surprisingly still sells as a replacement. Pic will come, but here it is from Grote.

http://www.grote.com/images/prodcat/large/53962.jpg