Going from the stock 15 inch steel wheel to an 18 inch with a 255/70 tire. Seems like it's so big it may interfere with the light. Does it have to be modified and if so, how?
Does the 3rd brake light have to be modified with a bigger spare tire?
- Thread starter atikovi
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The size of the wheel does not really make much difference. Its the tire that counts.
On my 2005 I simply added spacers left over from a TV wall mount hardware kit to raise the brake light tower higher so it was visible over the tire. The bolts that mount the light tower to the stock tire carrier were more than long enough to accommodate 3/4 - 1 inch spacers. Then I took it all out and made a custom third brake light.
On my 2005 I simply added spacers left over from a TV wall mount hardware kit to raise the brake light tower higher so it was visible over the tire. The bolts that mount the light tower to the stock tire carrier were more than long enough to accommodate 3/4 - 1 inch spacers. Then I took it all out and made a custom third brake light.
OK thanks. Soon as I get the wheel adaptors I'll take a closer look. The light is only an inch above the current tire and the new one is a lot bigger.
I took my original 3rd brake light off years ago, when I got bigger tires. Would like to get one back on now, especially if a factory mount could be adapted. Anyone tell me how high the original sticks up above the top edge of the rear door? Unfortunately I didn’t keep mine so I might be looking for one.
You see those come up for sale all the time, on this forum also. Post a WTB message.
Unmount the third brakelight. Loosen the cable from it's keepers as much as possible. And use small pieces of pvc tubing to lift the brake light up. 2-3 inches - whatever you need. Paint them black. Easy Peazy. Except you also need longer bolts.
There are pics around here. I put some in my thread about mounting a spare tire.
Have you tried to mount the tire yet? You may also need a larger tire carrier on the back so it doesn't hit the bumper.
There are pics around here. I put some in my thread about mounting a spare tire.
Have you tried to mount the tire yet? You may also need a larger tire carrier on the back so it doesn't hit the bumper.
According to what I've found, laws in your area don't require a third brake light if you'd rather just remove it entirely. You're only required to have two brake lights.
Illinois is the same way. I ditched mine when I put on my swing-out tire carrier.
Illinois is the same way. I ditched mine when I put on my swing-out tire carrier.
Third brake lights have been required on cars since 1986 and light trucks since the 90's Removing it raises all kinds of liability issues I don't care to risk.
Yeah, mine is off right now, but I will be putting a modified one back on hopefully next week. Just not worth the risk.
Okay okay stock 15 inch wheel okay good mmhmm okay okay to an 18 inch wheel okay I...........wait. Eighteen? EIGHTEEN?
1) I'm driving, someone hits me in the rear and claims he didn't see a federally required brake light. I get sued.
2) After selling the truck, the new owner gets hit like above and they sue me.
Not saying they would win in either case but the cost to defend the cases would be in the thousands for me or my insurance. These days people sue at the drop of a hat. No reason to give them more ammunition.
Got good deals on 4 wheels and tires https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/wto/d/fort-washington-2017-sahara-wheels-18/6917896467.html plus the same spare for $50 from another seller.
Do you have an .gov or other website to cite? Seriously wondering if I have to keep mine.
If you have a few hours, https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-i...ed91e90f816b574&node=se49.6.571_1108&rgn=div8
Don’t have a few hours but it took me 30 seconds to search that document. Too easy. Pretty sure it says 2 and not 3 if I’m not blind.
Check out https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/chmsl_complete.pdf
This spells it out pretty clearly, Center High Mounted Stop Lamps (CHMSL) have been standard equipment on all new passenger cars sold in the United States since model year 1986 and all new light trucks since model year 1994, as required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108.
This spells it out pretty clearly, Center High Mounted Stop Lamps (CHMSL) have been standard equipment on all new passenger cars sold in the United States since model year 1986 and all new light trucks since model year 1994, as required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108.
Still incorrect. I read the technical report you linked and then quoted. Look at what the document it references (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108) actually says. Not Required.
And zoomed in so you can read it.
It also says, not required, for side markers, backup lamps, parking lamps, but if one of those lights are out, the car won't pass state inspection. Why not if they are not required? And what do they mean, "cars sold in the United States since model year 1986 and all new light trucks since model year 1994, as required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108"? I remember back in '86 when all new cars had the brake lights in the middle. I don't think all the car makers would have installed them at the same time if it wasn't a federal requirement.
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