bradleyheathhays

'96 XJ here and although I've got a 3rd tail light it only lights up when the brake is applied.

Is there a way to bring that center light up to modern standards and rig it to stay on all the time (when the lights are on) and get bright when the pedal is pushed?

cruiser54

It's a CHMSL. Center High Mounted Stop Lamp

It would require running another wire to it, converting it to a 2 filament bulb and it's effectiveness would be reduced as a stop lamp.
I would suggest just installing a brighter bulb to improve it's effectiveness. Think red LED.

UKXJ

By "bring that center light up to modern standards" do you mean brighter? In which case, like Cruiser says, replace bulb with LED - although, of course, more modern vehicles have multiple LED's (which fails very quickly) &, I think, there's an aftermarket replacement like that. Or do you mean, to come on at lower power/intensity with the tail lights? I know of nothing that has that as OE, probably because it wouldn't be lighting regulation compliant in many places (there's a maximum height for .rear lights).

GzrGldr

The third brake light on any vehicle IS NOT supposed to stay on all the time. It's sole function is a brake light. I don't know what you mean by "Modern Standards".

cruiser54

onewaylight.com

robsjeep

probably not legal, nor as safe.

UKXJ

No, but OP says "I've got a 3rd tail light"

I was a few hours ahead of you but still waiting for a response about "Modern Standards"