- Joined
- Aug 14, 2008
- Messages
- 0
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Dallas
- Vehicle Year
- 1986/1998
- Vehicle
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.9/2.5
In the 80's when the third brake lights started showing up I thought they were pretty dumb looking. But since they have been around a while I find they do make it easier to tell if the car in front is stopping.
I wanted to update the BII so I started looking for a light assembly to install on it. I liked the shape of the light on my Astro Van so off we went to the wrecking yard and got this:
First step was to pull the trim off above the door, back window and hatch. Took the trim off the A Pillar also.
Ran a wire from the green wire on the brake light switch up the A pillar and back to the rear dome light. There is a wire bundle that runs the whole length that goes to the electric hatch lock and dome light. I used wire ties to secure the wire to that bundle.
This was the hardest part since the headliner backing is very brittle and would break if bent very much
Next I marked and drilled the holes for the tabs on the bottom of the light and for the wires to run through.
I stayed close to the hatch so that the screws and wires would end up in the metal brace that runs across the hatch. Ran a ground to the dome light ground and put it all back together. The light had a foam gasket on it but I still ran a bead of clear RTV around the holes and mount screws to make sure.
Before:
After:
I wanted to update the BII so I started looking for a light assembly to install on it. I liked the shape of the light on my Astro Van so off we went to the wrecking yard and got this:
First step was to pull the trim off above the door, back window and hatch. Took the trim off the A Pillar also.
Ran a wire from the green wire on the brake light switch up the A pillar and back to the rear dome light. There is a wire bundle that runs the whole length that goes to the electric hatch lock and dome light. I used wire ties to secure the wire to that bundle.
This was the hardest part since the headliner backing is very brittle and would break if bent very much
Next I marked and drilled the holes for the tabs on the bottom of the light and for the wires to run through.
I stayed close to the hatch so that the screws and wires would end up in the metal brace that runs across the hatch. Ran a ground to the dome light ground and put it all back together. The light had a foam gasket on it but I still ran a bead of clear RTV around the holes and mount screws to make sure.
Before:
After:
