Topic: Third brake light?

[catfish33]

Is it illegal to remove it? Thanks in advance.

[trailblazer95]

Technically it is, but i've never heard of anyone getting busted for not having one, and I used to wheel with a cop (who didn't have one!).  I haven't run one since '01.  They sell spacers, and i believe someone even makes one that attaches in the center of your spare tire, just in case you want to run one.

[Jeffy]

Technically it's illegal but if it's removed cleanly, no one would notice.  They first implimented those in 1993 and really there wasn't much of a difference then the 1992.  People were forced to remove them when they added a oversized spare.  Where people run into problems is if they have the stand but the light doesn't work.  Then they'll get a ticket.

[NCJeeper]

I used to have one on my '97 TJ...but it got removed after about a year or so.  Never really had a problem with inspections either.  However, the one year that I did get hassled, the inspection guy said that my CJ needs a third rear light, and that he wouldn't inspect it without it.  :roll:   So I took it back to the guy that normally does it, and it passed.

[catfish33]

OK thanks guys I am going to pull mine off my "CJ/TJ" then.  

[StefanBidi]

Like they said.  I've actually not had mine for about 2 years now.  I took it off when I got rid of the spare tire.  I figured if I get a flat, it's not going to be more than 30 mins away from home (like I've mentioned before I don't drive a lot) and someone can bring me the spare.  When I go wheeling, I just bungee it where the back seat is supposed to be (which I don't have it either).  Cops won't stop you, I actually think they can't, but the DOT police MIGHT.  I've seen them stop lots of semis and hugely lifted trucks here before.  But they're usually after something more than just a third brake light violation.

[Jeffy]

Like they said.  I've actually not had mine for about 2 years now.  I took it off when I got rid of the spare tire.  I figured if I get a flat, it's not going to be more than 30 mins away from home (like I've mentioned before I don't drive a lot) and someone can bring me the spare.  When I go wheeling, I just bungee it where the back seat is supposed to be (which I don't have it either).  Cops won't stop you, I actually think they can't, but the DOT police MIGHT.  I've seen them stop lots of semis and hugely lifted trucks here before.  But they're usually after something more than just a third brake light violation.

Um, we're talking about the Third-Brake light not the spare.  There are no laws about spares.  You don't even need a spare for that matter.

[StefanBidi]

Well, when I said spare, I meant the whole assembly back there:  spare carrier + 3rd brake light.

[Bounty Hunter]

You can legally remove it in this state (IL).  The law only requires you have one working brake light, and two funtioning taillights during times you're required to have them on.

Check your state's laws, a lot of them are similar.  I know IN and IL are pretty similar.  Most can even be found online.

[Craigs_YJ]

wasn't that tail light an option?

Anyways, any police officer that pulls you over for not having a 3'rd tail light better well know that

A) it was there
B) you removed it
C) it came on your original build list...

As long as you have 2 working taillights and standard driving lights your ok in Canada.

[Jeffy]

They were never an option in the US.  They became standard in 1994.