DMWill

I want to have mine removed but using the search function i have found that i will also have to get another rear deck! that sucks. especially since i cant find one.

anyway has anyone paid to have the rear spoiler removed and installed a new rear deck panel to house the 3rd brake light?

and or there any other options beside having to get another rear deck?

any help would be greatly appreciated

McKrevice

iTrader: (1)

Do this. Find a trunk for sale in your color without a spoiler. Buy that. Take yours off and keep it as a replacement or sell it.

That's what I do. Easier that way.

DMWill

wont i still lose the 3rd brake light?

Anthony

iTrader: (4)

i was charged 300..but i already had the 3rd brake light..

McKrevice

iTrader: (1)

my 3rd brake light is on the rear dash. No spoiler. Not sure you'd even get into trouble without one....my Escort has the bulbs burned out and have been since 02. The place to get them out are so rusted and the screws stripped so I said screw it, and left them until I got pulled over. Been 8 years and no issues. But that's here in Mn, so it may differ.

Plus, the GS has those small brake lights in the trunk, which I have no idea if they're called the 3rd brake light?

So correct me if I am wrong but it's been months since I have driven my car, the GS has 5 brake lights right? 2 outers, 2 inners, and one on the rear dash?

DMWill

@Anthony--i might have to bite the bullet. The spoiler irritates me that much.

@McKrevice
yea it has five total. if you have an OEM spoiler the 5th one is on the spoiler itself.

ahhh well...if its too much trouble i think im going to go your route and have the trunk replace or just pay to have it removed and say screw the light. the last time i had an inspection on my vehicle the guy just gave me the sticker. he didnt check anything but my insurance lol

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

dont know why anyone would pay to remove 4 bolts to remove a spoiler dont know why you need another rear deck, just buy the third light that is available on ebay for MUCH less than a new trunk and install is easy as hell...

DMWill

well from what i understand the spoiler aint as easy as it seems to remove. and after removal you are left with holes that need to be filled and painted.

the rear deck on a gs w/spoiler is different than a gs without a spoiler, hence the rear deck with spoiler is suited for a 3rd brake light, so i was assuming that another rear deck was necessary

actually i dont know anything for sure...that is just info that i gathered from using the search button.

are you saying its easier than that?

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

The only thing that would be "difficult" would be the filling of the holes (depending on how critical the outcome is) Probably gonna cost $100+ to paint the whole thing, or fill in with JB weld from underneath while having a firm piece of anything on top to help the JB weld dry flush on top, use a little touch up paint, tape off the circle left light sand and buff and should come out good enough (unless you want show quality) if you're good enough, it can come out flawless, but the whole process has to be done meticulously. As for rear deck, just have to be a bit creative, I dont remember exactly (but anyone can give you a pic) but its just a matter of removing yours and installing the light where it goes to see where it mounts and slicing the proper holes for the light to mount on. The wire harness for the third light should already be there, so no wiring need, the spoiler light may actually be plugged into it.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

This is a much better alternative..

McKrevice

iTrader: (1)

Well it might be more expensive, but it's easier. I do the same with control arms. Instead of buying bushings, taking off my old stuff, torching them out (yes torching, it works better than pressing them out. You get everything out instead of crap that stays in the bushing hole, and then you can wipe the inside clean of hot rubber), pressing in new ones, I just buy the arms...(not for these cars as they are retardedly expensive) add my own bushings if I am using delrin or polyurethane, then when I do take my old arms off, I don't have to mess around. I just add in my new gear and go. Sell the old arms to someone, and leave it at that. Saves hours of time, especially when the car is apart.

Sure it may cost a bit more, but the arms I do buy are typically in better shape, have little to no miles on them, plus I can press the ball joints out...my way...which involves someone holding the balljoint over a metal pipe...wide enough to let the ball joint fall through it, then I rest the arm on the pipe and have someone or myself take a sledge to the top the the balljoint to pop it through. But I do press them in the correct way...with an impact and press.

Or, I'll just buy complete arms with bushings and BJ's included. Then it just comes down to replacing the bolts if they are in bad shape.
I am all for working smarter, not harder. I don't want to have to fill in any holes or take my car somewhere to get it fixed if I don't have to.

DMWill

interesting...very helpful

DMWill

i agree...im the same way. my time is valuable

Anthony

iTrader: (4)

i didnt want to put jb weld or something in their just because it would bother me when i looked at it, which is why i opted to get it professionally welded and repainted..trunk needed the respray anyways..win win

Frankdorn

iTrader: (7)

Removed mine, bought a third brake light for the rear dash from a junkyard. Gonna do the JB weld thing this summer. Was quoted $500+ to weld the holes shut and repaint...