I've been promising to show everyone what I did. I finally got the film developed (yeah I'm old school, but the the digital camera is finally on it's way!).

If you've got a hard cover, here's the ticket! Easy install and commonly available off late 90's Chevy vans and burbans...And boy, does it ever light up the tail end! Everyone thinks it was made specifically for the Gaylord lid!

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/87ss/brakelight.jpg

That looks really good.

Very clean install. Good idea, too. I like it!

i used to have one of those in my monte. worked pretty good.

Oh oh, the secrets out. I got one off an Astro van, I think they're on S-10 pickups and Blazers as well. 2 screws 2 wires, a little silicone, couldn't be much easier than that! Post a pic of it lit up, if you can! Best part about it, you can get them for a couple of bucks at any boneyard...they're everywhere! They can also be mounted all the way forward on the lid, or even on the roof of your Elky.

Looks sweet. Now how did you do the wiring to conceal it when you open the lid? :?

looks good! i'll have to pick one of those up next time i go to the junkyard! i have a third brake light on my fiberglass cap but never hooked it up yet. where did you splice the wires into?

They can also be mounted all the way forward on the lid, or even on the roof of your Elky. Since I do all my daily driving in downtown Atlanta, I was going for the "In your face" position by puting all the to the rear.

Now how did you do the wiring to conceal it when you open the lid? :? What I did was use some left over drip irrigation tube since everything else I looked at was too big. I taped it down to an old piece of baseboard and slit one side with a utility knife, then used it to cover the two wires (looks clean). I plan on using 1/4" nylon wire hold downs to attach it to the underside of the lid itself. As a side note, I did use some waterproof crimp on male/female connectors about 8" of the bed wall so I'd still be able to remove the lid when necessary.

where did you splice the wires into?
I drilled a small hole through the bed wall behind the drivers side and used a small rubber gromet to prevent chafing to feed the wires through (was a bit of job fishing those through by the way). Then routed the wires under the carpet and tied into the actual brake actuator switch. Even got it right the first time and it works with the flashers too...

Better pictures will be available as soon as the new digital camera get here next week!

Thanks. That was the only way I could think of. Have been tossing around the idea of using a switch similar to what is being used on the Firebirds and Camaros when you open the hatch. Whatever I do, it has to be clean. Nice work.

Looks good Peter, I know this is going to be one sharp Elky when you get through with it.

The 5th Gen El Camino's need something in the rear for additional lighting. I am looking for a set of LED replacement bulbs to put in the tail light housings. Has anyone had time to look into that? The location of the factory tail lights are not positioned well for visibility and with the low lumen of the original bulbs a fellow could get run over. At least with this "in your face" blast of Red LED light you will wake them up in time to stop before hitting you.

I'm looking for a smaller LED setup than yours that will go into the license plate well and look like it came there. My buddies street rod has a small billet third light and I may try to place one of those there and see how it works. If it does I'll let y'all know. Jim

http://images.andale.com/f2/127/122/7953605/1074380500432_P1010008_edited.JPG

OPG has one built into the license plate frame that looks good. It is on page 344. But it is pricey.......$99.95

OPG has one built into the license plate frame......But it is pricey.......$99.95

No thanks, It's not the cost, but I already spent more than that on an NOS Lic. well and I'm not taking it out!

I believe that there is a small LED setup that will mount into that well and not look out of place. The one my friend has is only about 6" long and has a billet frame. I'd hate to buy one and then paint the frame black, but...........

Peter, did you wire for an interior light to go inside the lid under the brake light? I think this would be a good addition to the lid as well by providing a light to see what's left in the cooler.........

BTW who's the pretty woman in the background of the picture? She wouldn't happen to drive a Quad-cab Dodge Dakota would she? lol Jim

I mounted a 12 led strip between the top of the rear glass & bed trim. It's small enough not to be noticed until you hit the brakes then it's really bright. I got it from J C Whitney & it was a very easy install.

On my 76 I mounted my 3rd brake light on the chrome trim over the back window. It has lots of room under for the screws and it conceals the wiring which goes into the cab on the side I didn't have to drill for that.

On most every Elky I think its a must to have that extra light. The lights are so far down and in some cases very dim that they are a little harder to see.

Your's looks very good there.