Patricia A. Mayer's 3.0 CS / Paul Cain's Fjord project / The 300 mile Test Drive / VIII / Final Punch List

[paul cain]

Regarding reassembly, I try and alternate between doing something difficult or burdensome followed by something easy and visually gratifying. Its the automotive restoration equivalent of 'if you don't eat your vegetables, you won't get any ice cream''. Yesterday that involved reinstalling the belt line trim on the rear quarters and doors. Followed by something enjoyable -rewiring the Euro Fog lamp to act as a third brake lamp.

If these brake lamp lens seem to be projecting a particularly bright red light, thank @CHRIS Macha for discovering these red LED bulbs that replace the faint, candle like, incandescent bulbs. Wiring included using the correct green/red wire (for brake lamps) and a new ground lug. Headlamps when back in, rubber pads were in-between the bucket frame and the (3) body mounts. Once the car is fully reassembled and settled with a 1/2 tank of petrol, I'll do the headlamp adjusting.

 

[adawil2002]

While it's neat, that is not going to get the attention of anyone who's used to being a high mounted center 3rd brake light.

Need something like an Alpena LED Strip 3rd brake light. These are pretty stealth & work great, I've been running them since 2011. Made some 300 of these before the demand stopped.

 

[Gary Knox]

I shared Andrew's concern about driver's of SUV's following closely behind me and the thought that they may never see the very low mounted brake lights on an e9. I installed a 'medium level' high brake light mounted at the center of the hat shelf contacting the rear window. To me that seemed 'close to' a vintage' high brake light without being too modern looking.. I bought the high mounted brake light module from some other (don't remember marque) brand on eBay.

 

[JMinPDX]

While it's neat, that is not going to get the attention of anyone who's used to being a high mounted center 3rd brake light.

Need something like an Alpena LED Strip 3rd brake light. These are pretty stealth & work great, I've been running them since 2011. Made some 300 of these before the demand stopped.

View attachment 143955View attachment 143956View attachment 143957View attachment 143958

Plus one on Andrew’s LED third brake light. 5 minute installation. At night it lights up the rear window like a Christmas tree.

 

[Stan]

Another fan of Andrew's light.

 

[mulberryworks]

I've been thinking of going one step beyond the LED 3rd brake light at the top of the window. It should be possible to add yellow LEDs to either side and get elevated turn signals as well. Maybe a bit much but I'll take the added safety over handwringing about it not being stock. There are just too many inattentive drivers out there.
I think I'll draw the line at making them sequential though.

 

[paul cain]

Andrew, thanks for this alternative. It is very much the superior solution to the brake lamp / awareness issue. Particularly at modern SUV height. For this project, I just can't do it. It's too modern, and yes, I know I am compromising safety, but life is a series of trade offs. I'll take a little bit more safety for a lot more Euro look. Thank you for the suggestion. Great discussion.

 

[paul cain]

I spent pretty much the entire day on the right rear quarter window assembly. Window lift mechanism, lift motor, alignment etc. It went smoothly after I got the motor working properly. Image 1805 shows a clear adhesive membrane over the entire assembly. I can't emphasize this enough on how important this part is for both noise reduction and moisture separation. Inside arm rest is all original and just needed some mink oil. One window down, only three to go.

 

[Antar]

While it's neat, that is not going to get the attention of anyone who's used to being a high mounted center 3rd brake light.

Need something like an Alpena LED Strip 3rd brake light. These are pretty stealth & work great, I've been running them since 2011. Made some 300 of these before the demand stopped.

View attachment 143955View attachment 143956View attachment 143957View attachment 143958

Yeah, I still have my led 3rd brake light kit in my coupe.

 

[Stan]

Andrew, thanks for this alternative. It is very much the superior solution to the brake lamp / awareness issue. Particularly at modern SUV height. For this project, I just can't do it. It's too modern, and yes, I know I am compromising safety, but life is a series of trade offs. I'll take a little bit more safety for a lot more Euro look. Thank you for the suggestion. Great discussion.

Paul,
You may want to reconsider. I have bothe the euro fog lamp and the 3rd brake light strip.
When not lit, the strip is invisible from just a few feet away.

 

[Dan Wood]

I liked the LED strip so much in the E9 that I also put it in the 2002.
They light up the back seat but the safety is more important.
$15 for 4 on Amazon.

 

[paul cain]

For those of you who have been with this thread from the beginning, one of the themes for improvement is supplemental rust protection. Everywhere. Lots of etching primer, lots of epoxy primer and tons of Wurth Stoneguard brushed into the corners where Karmann only dreamed of. The idea is to crush any (future) rust issue in the bud -leveraging the knowledge we now have on where E9's start rusting. I've never liked the engineering on the lowers sills, particularly the hurried fastening method BMW / Karmann used. The suggested improvement is to 'float' the lower sill off of the body so all the water can drain away, vs. pinching the two together and leaving a petri dish for iron oxide to blossom. Particularly when combined with the horrible self tapping sheet metal screws BMW Spec'd. These are simply nylon washers used as a 'stand off', about 14 per side. The only way this works is if they are all securely fastened to the inside of the outer sill before you get started as most of the lower ones are blind. Yet another use for JB Weld. In almost all the locations I used stainless steel rivets. The one hole on the extreme rear end of the sill will have to wait until the tire comes off for access. Even with piloting all the holes during the sheetmetal phase, getting these into the correct position was tricky, I kept going back for more and more tools. Another unpleasant alignment task in the can. Now I can do something fun and easy - like installing an outside door mirror

 

[rsporsche]

+1 for Andrew's 3rd brakelight ... i also would recommend @Mo Brighta 's taillight update with replacing the sockets for the taillight and brakelight so that there are 2 taillights with the brighter brake filament in both.

 

[HB Chris]

The LED solution Paul posted is awesome.

 

[Stan]

I installed the LED bulbs in my coupe and the difference is dramatic.

 

[bavbob]

Likely already posted the source for the LED bulbs but can you sneak it in here?

I thought of floating the sill also but it may depend on where the car will live. Water out, but in Boston, sand in......even though I won't drive any of my older BMW's in the winter. I used SS screws, only a few. The other holes got dummy SS screws glued to cover the holes and make water tight.

 

[HB Chris]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BXR4P1X?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

1156 type bulbs are single filament

 

[mulberryworks]

This is why I’ve been waiting to install LED lamps. The output has been improving to the point where the choice is now obvious. Faster turn on is an added bonus.
I can see not switching out the instrument bulbs because they aren’t dimmable or they don’t have the right color but exterior lighting should be as bright and reliable as possible.

 

[bavbob]

Thanks Chris!

 

[paul cain]

Stay tuned for next weeks update! When Paul installs a 454 Chevy Big Block with a Blower and Pro Stock hood on Patricia Mayer's Coupe! .....all in an attempt to move forward from LED taillamps!!!