The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline bigger brake lights

Twice this week I was almost rear-ended when turning. Had my turn signal light on and the brake lights before that but I guess being the small stock units people can't see them.
Was thinking of fabricating some brackets to hold a bigger light which people should be able to see but I don't want to have something ugly back there.
I like the stock lights but rather have a big light than an SUV running into the back end of my truck. That's what it was folks, both times an SUV driven by a woman using a cell phone. I kid you not!

Maybe you need brighter, not bigger. Are you running a 12V system? Could you try the new LED replacement bulbs? Personally, I think it's brightness that matters, not size. (LOL) Also, another (less esthetic) solution for more attention is to mount the "Third brake light" in the rear window.

Here in California a law went into effect a couple of months ago that prohibits holding a cell phone and talking will driving. Now do you want to hear the really stupid part of the law; you can text will driving. Go figure.

There has been a thread or two a long while back about putting lights in the end of the roll of metal at the top of the bed. That would give you 2 brake/tail lights up higher than stock without lookinh fugly!

I think Freedo's right on the money!
Even if your truck is still 6v, You should be able to rig up some bed roll stop lights.
If I remember correctly Carolines truck did a posting on this a while back. Jim made them himself rather than pay $100+ dollars for manufactured units. I agree with Highflyer though, the L.E.D. units are MUCH brighter and a third brake light wouldn't hurt either. I'd rather give up a bit of originality and be safe.
The thought of some Dumba$$ running into the back of you is just plain scary!

I have had freinds & the wife follow me day and night and they say my bed roll tail/brake lights catch there attention WAY before the stockers down low ...I HIGHELY recomend the bed roll lights they do help!
Tim

I think the bed roll lights are going to be my choice. They are quite pricey up here but its all relative I guess. I like the idea of LED in the stock tail light housings. Is this basically a 'drop-in' conversion without having to modify the flasher unit? It is a 12 volt system.

Seems like the taillights on the old trucks are mounted very low. That plus the fact that 9 times out of 10 some jerkoff is tailgating you and they are too darn close to notice your taillights. I notice a lot of people are adding a high brake light to their older vehicles.Not making excuses for the jerks who ride around tailgating people,but that seems to be a way of life anymore.And it aint only the younger crowd that do it,I see many silver haired old ladies who can just barely see thru the windshield tailgating.As for brightness there are the new LED taillight replacements.And for you people who are restoring your old bolt to factory specs,this does create a problem.However there comes a time when safety has to rule over originality.

Had the same tailgating problem until I got creative....now all I hear is rubber screeching when I tap the brake pedal. Granted, they don't really fit esthetically on the back of the truck....but then, neither does a Mitsubishi.

The sealed 4" LED lights and the 2" LED turn signals came from Tractor Supply as did the 4" and 2" PVC Pipe caps I mounted them in. Both caps had to be tweaked a bit for the lights to fit, but with the rubber sealed units they've been in a couple years without any problems. Have some pics in my webshots at:

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2745395630090459121rHvTOr

Also made some little bed roll lights that tie in with the yellow turn signal lights. The 4" lights are strictly running and brake lights. These are in "Tips and Tricks" on page 3 or 4.

Dave

Hi oldblu, I got my l.e.d. conversions from http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks47_59/t47_081.html
These fit in like ordinary lenses but you have to remove the original bulb holders.
You may have to replace the flasher relay to allow your turn signal lights to flash at the proper rate.
I'm not sure how yours are wired as I will be using my bed roll lights(Amber) as turn signals (UK requirement) and my normal lights as tail/brake lights. I will be adding a third brake in the rear window. I've tried my tail-lights across a battery and they are really bright!