3rd Brake Light Flasher

[R.A.]

Does anyone have a 3rd Brake Light Flasher installed on a 4G T4R?

Have seen them on various vehicles around town and am curious whether someone has one on a 4G T4R. Didn't really like them when I first encountered them, but have become accustomed to seeing them; and frankly, the way people are not concentrating on their driving now-a-days, a pulsating 3rd brake light might help out.

Have googled for info and sellers, but would appreciate more info.

Any known problems with them?

Any known legal problems? (some 3rd brake light flashers are illegal according to NHTSA)

Anybody have recommendations who to buy from?

 

[RPC]

I'd like to find out about this too.

 

[ErikU]

Search for a motorcycle brake light modulator. There are many good choices that would work fine.

 

[riceandpho]

i did one, its called back off xp , i have a thread here.

 

[R.A.]

i did one, its called back off xp , i have a thread here.

Here's the thread of riceandpho's if anybody is interested:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/54684-backoff-xp.html
The YouTube video referencd in the thread was removed.

 

[riceandpho]

for the install, i took the sopiler off and then took the light out, there is 2 screws holding it, then unplug the plug from the bracket, take the back off xp and wire it the way you want, one is plus and black is ground, cut the positive wire inhalf and tap the ground on the ground, wire the back off plus to the positive thas heading to the plug, now on the back off xp, u should see another plus wire on the output, theres 2 options, one is like flash for 5 times and the other is a repeat i think, i wire the flash for 5 to the plus input on the led light wire.

 

[Drcoffee]

Last week I was sitting at the traffic light and some distracted woman ran into the back of our minivan. That prompted me to search out one of these blinker modules. I ended up buying one for my kids T4R as well as the minivan. This van has been hit at least 4 times in the bumper over the last 12 years. I can't believe it hasn't been totalled yet.

Anyway, here's the link I found for a sealed micro module that can handle up to 4amps both LED and Incondescent. 36 settings as well. $20 shipped for one but $17.50ea for two. Sounded like a good deal to me.

Universal Brake Light Flasher

I'll try to do a write-up when they come in.

 

[RPC]

I ordered the item from Drcoffee's post, installed it and love it. There really are 36 settings and I settled on the 5x fast flash with the 15-second brake depress interval (won't flash again until 15 seconds has elapsed since the brakes have been activated).

I don't know what the passion and b*itching is all about on riceandpho's install thread... emergency services vehicles and motorcyclists have been using these for years, and for damn good reason. Having spectacular insurance or not- I would prefer to get the attention of the 16 year old girl, coming up behind me at a stop light, preoccupied talking on her cell phone's attention any way I can. If I piss a couple of hypersensitive folks off at the same time, so what?

And the notion that this module turns your third brake light into a disco strobe is just nonsense. The one riceandpho bought is twice the cost of the one Drcoffee & I ordered and only has two settings, both of which flash the lights every time the brake pedal is depressed. That struck me as a little much and I think the folks at 3rdbrakeflasher seriously improved the product. Plus, the Back-Off XP is a big module and would seem difficult to secure in the spoiler assembly behind the 3rd brake light vs the one I bought which is a solid state pcb set in injection molded resin and is about the size of a postage stamp. VERY easy to zip-tie to the internal mounting brackets of the 3rd brake LED assembly within the spoiler.

Great $20 purchase and easy 30 minute installation/set up.

 

[Doozi]

Any known legal problems? (some 3rd brake light flashers are illegal according to NHTSA)

I'm pretty sure that newer Fords have this from the factory. Every model that I've seen lately has a flashing CHMSL.

I've been trying to find an LED replacement unit with no luck.

 

[riceandpho]

i just double stick mines, gota make sure its very clean, it still stuck in the same place in my spoiler.

 

[R.A.]

Thanks for the replies.

Kind of forgot of doing this, but still plan on buying a flasher. Have looked a few, but haven't decided on one yet.

Would also like a LED 3rd brake light, unfortunately, Toyota didn't have the smarts to redo the 3rd brake light when they introduced the LED brake lights in 06.