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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Third Brake Light

Yep ... another one. This is the one I mentioned in Mike's thread about four way flashers.

The kit is from Rampage and mounts behind the spare tire. Since it is not meant for a T series you have to get creative with the mount. I did not use the lower piece. I have a strange tire rack for my Jaguar wire wheels. I modified the bracket to get a screw through the slot and cut the end off so it would fit. I also bent the top of the bracket to level out the light.

It comes with a 4 prong flat trailer hitch male plug. I got the mating plug at the local auto parts store. There was enough cord to reach the brake switch behind the MC.

http://www.rampagejeepaccessories.com/Rampage-Products-CHMSL-Universal-third-Brake-light-bracket-assembly.html

There were no modifications to the TD at all. No holes drilled. It is completely reversible. I can remove the spare tire without doing anything to the light. The light is up high and very visible without interfering with my line of sight.




Mort 50TD (1851) Mobius

Second image.

I tried to wire it to the tail light but it would flash with the turn signals. I wired it to the brake light switch and now all is well.


Mort 50TD (1851) Mobius

Mort,
I did much the same thing a few years ago. The only difference is that I installed a relay to reduce current load on the failure prone brake light switch. Got the relay, a diode and a black plastic box all from Radio Shack. Stuck the box to the inside of the frame behind the master cylinder using RTV sealant. (Relay setup was described here some years ago.) Still working!

Regards,

Jim Haskins
J. M. Haskins

Mort,

One additional advantage. Now I can look in the rear view mirror and tell that my brake lights are working. Alway a worry in our little British cars.

Regards again

Jim Haskins
J. M. Haskins

Mort,

That is a nice set-up. Has there been any "rattle" noise from this middle brake light? It burns also as a third taillight - or, just as a brake light?

Jerry
Jerry Chandler

Jerry,
It's is just a brake light. Trying to keep my life as simple as possible.
I won't have it on the road till next week but I don't expect any rattle at all. It's securely bolted to the rack and pre-stressed against the tire. The tire will hold it steady and quiet.

Jim,
Does your set up use LED's or incandescent? I believe the LED's in this unit draw so little current it would not be a problem for the switch.

Mort 50TD (1851) Mobius

Mort, looks great! And for the questions abour LEDs - their power is negligable vs the rest, LED for the 3rd light will add less than 5% to the total brake light power. And LEDs are slightly faster to light up, which adds to increased safety. Noticeable on cars that have a combination of LEDs and incandescent, difficult on your own :-)

Mike
Mike Fritsch

Mort,
Mine is incandescent. Purchased a low dollar light that was intended to plug into a receiver hitch on a pickup. Used a spring clip and a scrap of aluminum to mount to my luggage rack. Same four pin trailer harness plugs in behind the spare. Easy to remove for car shows. Your right, LED's should be no problem. My brake light switch failed before the light was added.

Regards,

Jim Haskins

1953 TD
J. M. Haskins

This thread was discussed between 30/03/2012 and 01/04/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.