Ok, planning on installing an evo 8 style spoiler pretty soon, and wondering what i'll need to rewire the third brake light. Can I buy an evo/base lancer stlye light unit for the rear window or just use the existing light in the spoiler?

 

There's already a plug under the rear deck that you can plug into. Warning, I installed my own 3rd brake light and it was a MAJOR PITA and would recommend either getting a new ES deck lid or having the dealer install it for you.

Reason being is that in order to get accurate holes drilled you need to remove the deck because of the proximity to the rear window. This means that speakers, seatbelts, clips, etc need to be removed. I tried it without removing the deck and my holes were barely off which caused the brake light to leak into the cabin since it won't sit flush with the window. I ended up removing the deck anyway to fix that.

You also need a hole saw to make a hole big enough for the wiring post/bulb. I also had to use a breaker bar on the seat belt bolts. Prob took me about 4+ hrs total to install.

Don't say I didn't warn you!

 

Cant you attach it from underneath? I was poking around there a few days ago and it looks like there is a hole big enough for the bulb and wiring to make it through. Do most people just not wire the third light? I know it's legal in some states.

 

Well, you have an '05, maybe they started using the ES/Evo decks? My '04 did not come with any holes for mounting.

 

i was curious as to how hard the install of the third brake light would be...i installed the evo 8 spoiler about 2 1/2 weeks ago and have yet to get pulled over for not having a third brake light. i kinda intend on not installing one until i get pulled over and get a warning...ill act like i bought it like that and wasnt aware it was a law to have it

 

Retro- I dont know if mitsu did or not but I have a 1" hole in the middle of the deck.


I guess i'll try to find a part out brake light, or does anyone know a price from mitsu on one?

 

OK, I see what you mean. I thought you meant you already had a hole in the actual deck (carpet/pressboard). Believe it or not, it's a pain to drill through because of the carpet and insulation. My hole saw kept getting stuck so I ended up drilling a hole and using a rats tail file to make the hole big enough.

That empty white connector is where the light plugs into. I think I paid $60 from the dealer. The ES and Evo light are the same part #.

 

I also have an EVO tail. Because of state inspections, I needed to put in the 3rd brake light. I wanted it to look stock. After inspecting the rear shelf on my 05 I could see that it was a direct fit with the evo 3rd brake light. It is labor intensive because the package shelf has to come out of the car for modification. That requires you to take out:
1. rear seat
2. rear side bolsters
3. speaker grills
4. behind the seat trim
5. seatbelt return trim for middle belt
6. 3 anchor points for car seats

Once those are removed the package shelf will come out. Insure you mark the the location of the attachment points and the bulb access from inside the trunk before removal. I found that after drilling my three hole in the shelf, a round file worked very well to adjust and clean them to the right size. Installation is the reverse.

I ordered the brake light at the dealership. Make sure you also get the two nuts required, they are a seperate part number. As you can see from picture on the previous post, the connector for the light is already there.

Good Luck

 

Sweet, thanks for you help guys, i'll let you know how it turns out.

 

has anyone gotten dinged for not having a 3rd brake light, i havent had one since sep. i just figured it was something obscure not to have so the cops prob wouldn't notice

 

i ran without a 3rd brake light for about a week until my car got wrecked. i was planning on trading my buddy who has an 06 ES cuz he doesnt care if he gets pulled over. i was gonna go wingless with the ES rear speaker deck but never got the chance.

 

I've never met anyone that's been pulled over for no third rear brake light before, but then again, there's way many more reasons for them to get pulled over, speeding is usually it!

 

bmiranda23 has been pulled over before. He has the same username on Mitsunation(from Surrey)

 

just got pulled over on monday night for not having one...anyone know for sure is the evo 8/9 light is compatible?

 

Why spend that much for an evo light when you can buy a nice led light and easily install it yourself in about half hour? I bougth mine on Ebay last summer for about 15$ with shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/12V-Car-Rear-Ligh...ayphotohosting

I'll take a picture and post it tomorrow.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Here what I mean...


You can't see it inside since I put it between the roof and the inside layer of...rug or whatever it is call.


And outside, I think it is perfect IMO.