Is a 6 foot high third brake light of any value? PICs

belfert · August 24, 2009, 01:07:33 PM

The third brake light opening on my bus is about 6 feet off the ground, taller than most cars.

Is a light this high really of any value? I've removed the original third brake light assembly and I am thinking about just filling in the hole and either putting the third brake light lower or not having one at all. The light I bought is kinda cheesy and I might just buy something else instead.

If I moved the light I would put it lower down on the engine door.

Len Silva · August 24, 2009, 01:37:44 PM

My opinion, it's pretty much a decoration on a bus. I mean, it's hard to miss those stop lights. I would leave it high so it can be seen over a toad.

Jeremy · August 24, 2009, 01:56:30 PM

If the existing one is OEM you've got to assume that it's there for a logical or legislative reason. It makes perfect sense to me to have a brake light that can be seen from a distance, over the top of the vehicles immediately behind the bus. I'm currently building my rear cap, which has both brake lights and turn signals incorporated into it (using the rear light clusters from a Land Rover Freelander if anyone's interested).

Here's a bus with even higher lights:

Jeremy

Gary '79 5C · August 24, 2009, 02:04:23 PM

Belfert,

I would leave the lites where they are, as indicated previously. OT, I really like that paint, I would not have picked it out of a chart, BUT it looks different and a good combo for your ride, NICE.

Also, newer NJ Transits have the amber and red lites up high, which Amber indicates driver is off the throttle, and Red, obviously he is on the brakes...

Kinda interesting to watch a driver who is digital, on throttle, off throttle, repeat, repeat... I would like to think they could modulate & anticipate better.

belfert · August 24, 2009, 02:13:32 PM

Personally I hate the paint, mostly because the clear coat is peeling on the sides and there are all kinds of scratches. You can't see the mismatched colors of the panels used to cover the windows on the sides.

The paint job is whatever one of the previous charter companies chose. It needs to be repainted pretty bad.

Len Silva · August 24, 2009, 02:39:27 PM

I just got back from the store and walking through the parking lot noticed that many vans and SUV's have the light at least 6' off the ground.

buswarrior · August 24, 2009, 06:51:12 PM

I am a big fan of high mounted brake lighting, the vehicles further to the rear get a heads-up.

Many of those crashes you see with multiple vehicles involved, the guy in the middle got stopped and was rammed into the front one by one further behind.

Anything that improves your odds of a boring journey?

I really liked when the D model MCI first came out with those brake lights way up there on the side corners.

On the NJT buses, I was told that amber glows if the retarder engages, a moot point, as they are set-up to come on when the driver lifts throttle. Anyone have the inside skinny? And yes, there are many of them that are far from decisive in their pedal application!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

John316 · August 24, 2009, 07:01:30 PM

BW,

I can't answer about the NJT's, however, I do know that our retarder is programmed to come on only when you use the brake.

I love the lights on the back of our bus. We purchased the IBP upgrade LED's. They are AWESOME. At night (we have driven behind our bus at night), you are just driving along. The lower stop lamps are on dimly, as marker lights (as with any car). When you step on the brakes, in the bus, the whole backside of the bus lights up like a city. The lights towards the top, are what really get your attention, big time!

Ours don't glow amber when you let off of the throttle (because the retarder only comes on when you have the switch on, and step on the brake, that is the same with our Jakes).

God bless,

John

belfert · August 25, 2009, 07:33:25 AM

I have decided I will keep the third brake light and probably at about the same height as now. The change is I am probably going to fill in the existing hole and put the light right above or below that level.

I don't really like how much the light I bought sticks out and I may yet buy something different. Napa carries a light I like, but it is Truck-Lite product, and they charge double what I can get it for as a Truck-Lite product. Napa claimed their cost was more than what I could buy the Truck-Lite version for at retail. It is the same no matter if in a Truck-Lite or Napa package.

NewbeeMC9 · August 25, 2009, 12:45:24 PM

looks like you could put your camera right below it and it would be a little sheltered.

also,

MARCO!