Deck stop lamp

[TAP]

I need a deck mounted stop lamp for my 87 560sl. Anyone have a spare for sale?

[SLBENZ1]

yes-- what color ?

[TAP]

It would be great if it's black, but I can have it painted.

thanks, Tom

[moohampshire]

Sent PM

[TAP]

Thanks for the reply, but it appears the 88 lamp is not the same as the 87. anybody got on for a 86 or 87?

[Strife]

Is it cracked, or are you installing a new one? If installing a new one on a pre-86, the 88/89 (if you can find one, supposedly NLA) is better looking IMHO.

All 86/87's crack, overtightened or not. MB actually had a recall on this at one time (source: a Chilton CD).

[TAP]

I agreee the 88-89 light does look better. It appears smaller, will it cover the existing holes in the deck?

[DanielG]

http://www.slaccessories.com/CatalogPage.php?Page=38

here is one

[donbryce]

Originally Posted by TAP

I agreee the 88-89 light does look better. It appears smaller, will it cover the existing holes in the deck?

No. The 88 - 89 mounts on the rear of the deck lid, as opposed to the 86 - 87 mounting at the front of the deck lid.
I installed a nice NOS 88 - 89 light on my '86 560SL, after the original (cracked case) lost the lens on a bumpy country road. Completely different light housings. If you find a good 86 - 87 light, be prepared for cracking eventually.
I welded up the original holes and mounted the new style light where it was originally placed on the 88 - 89 lid. I forget the exact dimensions, but it must be placed centrally a certain distance from the edge in toward the front, so it will look right when viewed from the rear at eye level.
You'll need to drill out an access hole in the support frame of the deck lid for the bulb holder, IIRC, plus of course new holes for the mounting bolts. For me, it was an easy weekend job, not counting the bodywork to weld/fill/paint the lid to get rid of the original holes.

[dugald]

My '86 has a '88-'89 stoplight, installed by the PO. It looks better than the original but if I were going to the trouble of filling holes and repainting I'd just delete the rear stoplight entirely. It is an obvious afterthought and the car looks best without it IMO.

[donbryce]

I was of a similar mind on getting rid of it too....until I nearly got rear-ended by a #@%^&* a**hole in a pickup while I was slowing down, signal flashing, to make a right turn off the highway. Also, I hung the old lightbulb & socket, still connected in the trunk, while I waited for a replacement so it wouldn't muck up the bulb-out indicator. If totally removed, I'd probably solder in a small resistor to fake it out.