I went LED bulbs, and I also wired up the spare socket in the rear cluster to be on with my running lights.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=185350&highlight=tail+light

Easy upgrade, took about 30 minutes once I had a donor taillight in hand.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 12:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Rear lights questions

anythig is possible.

the best deal for improved rear tailights is LED bulbs.
Slightly expensive ..but nice bright cherry red color ...
it's the mondern standard anyway.

a high mounted center brake light ..
don't they sell a kit for that at say ...Shuck's Auto Supply ..or any plcae like that.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David M" <covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 11:58 AM
Subject: Rear lights questions

Two questions about rear lights:

(1) Is it possible to install a high-mounted third brake light?
(2) Is it possible to utilize the spare socket in the rear light cluster to install an additional rear light or brake light?

-David (1987 Wolfsburg)