LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Upper rear window 3rd brake light

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Old 11-09-15, 03:19 PM
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scunyon
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Default Upper rear window 3rd brake light

Hey guys, I tried to search the forum to see if this had been done, and if there's a previous thread, mods please delete/move this one.

I ordered my led tail lights today and will getting a roof spoiler next week. With the new intensity of the led tail lights, I wanted to change the 3rd brake light to an upper rear window one. I thought about doing one like the LS460 on the outside and have toyed with the idea of using one on the inside like on my wife's VW Passat.

Has anyone done it? I want to try the LS460 style, but don't know how I could mount it to the roof spoiler I'm getting. When my spoiler comes in, I can test fit it on my Dad's LS460 to see how it looks.

I just want to find a good look before installing the spoiler so that I don't have to do the same work twice.

Thanks in advance!
Old 11-10-15, 08:56 AM
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billydpowe
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spoiler on a LS ? looks like they named it right.... cant picture it improving looks or safety..
Old 11-10-15, 08:59 AM
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scunyon
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Originally Posted by billydpowe
spoiler on a LS ? looks like they named it right.... cant picture it improving looks or safety..
The roof spoiler is what I mean.
Old 11-10-15, 12:27 PM
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OK, I am so old (81) and out of date, I dont even know what that is... I'll just be quite and watch..
Old 11-10-15, 12:34 PM
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scunyon
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Originally Posted by billydpowe
OK, I am so old (81) and out of date, I dont even know what that is... I'll just be quite and watch..
No harm, no foul. Just trying to do something a little different to mimic the LS460 3rd brake light.
Old 11-10-15, 01:12 PM
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That's not a spoiler, it's an antenna.
Old 11-10-15, 01:25 PM
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scunyon
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Originally Posted by mappo
That's not a spoiler, it's an antenna.
I'm referring to the part below the antenna that's black with red in the middle. It's the 3rd brake light on the LS460 and I'm curios as to how a similar setup would look on my 97. Either installed outside or on the inside.
Old 11-10-15, 01:32 PM
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it would look tacked on, because it would be. the 2IS guys have wanted somethign similar for a while but there's no good way to do it since the LS460 CHML is mounted inside the window sill with 2 garnish pieces to cover the gap. Plus there's no clean way to run the wires to the outside of the car as you would still see them if you put them in the narrow window channel on the LS400.
Old 11-10-15, 01:37 PM
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scunyon
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Originally Posted by PureDrifter
it would look tacked on, because it would be. the 2IS guys have wanted somethign similar for a while but there's no good way to do it since the LS460 CHML is mounted inside the window sill with 2 garnish pieces to cover the gap. Plus there's no clean way to run the wires to the outside of the car as you would still see them if you put them in the narrow window channel on the LS400.
Since I'm ordering one of those roof spoilers I thought about it like that and didn't want to risk weather seals to run wires. Thinking the inside mount would be better if I could pull it off cleanly.
Old 11-10-15, 01:39 PM
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i too am trying to do this, but i want a full length 3rd brake light like the teslas, audis, and bentleys.

best way i see it is to stick an LED strip on the roof spoiler and run the wires down the channel and into the trunk as PD stated.

another way is to run a light on the inside but mounting the LED strip onto something would be the challenge.
Old 11-10-15, 02:08 PM
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scunyon
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I'm looking at the interior option with a VW Passat light that mounts inside. I'm about to go outside and measure the one on my wife's car.
Old 11-10-15, 02:17 PM
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scunyon
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Ok, so her light measures right at 12" in total length and 10" of led. I'm sure I could make a mount for it and then run the wires down the C pillar and under the deck to the factory 3rd brake light.

ECS Tuning has them for right at $67. https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen...ight/ES347105/

I think it would sit nicely in the upper part of the rear window and look good with the LED tail lights.
Old 11-10-15, 04:14 PM
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sweet! looks like it should retrofit in nicely. please keep us informed and take pics of the progress!
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