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3rd brake light issue

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Blitzz, Aug 19, 2020.

  1. Aug 19, 2020 at 3:55 PM
    #1
    Blitzz

    Blitzz [OP] New Member

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    I just bought a 3rd brake light off of carid and after installing it i took my truck to the wash and it has a small amount of moisture inside of the light. Is this normal? There was also a small amount of water behind the light itself where the wiring is.

    image6.jpg
    image5.jpg
     
  2. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:04 PM
    #2
    Blitzz

    Blitzz [OP] New Member

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  3. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #3
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    Fitment looks terrible. So I clicked your link and noticed that's for a 2007+. Gen1 Tundras stop at 2006. Based on that, if it's what you ordered, I think you ordered the wrong part.

    Either way, no, mist inside the lens is definitely not good, that light housing should be sealed. Furthermore, no, there should be no water behind the fixture.

    The 3rd brake light is something I never modify on a truck with aftermarket. The reality is, the 3rd brake light or "high stop lamp" is typically one of the top 3 rainwater/cab leak spots across all models of truck I've ever owned, and you usually see things start leaking from there by 15-20 years in.

    The one peculiar thing I noticed about the Gen1 trucks, it's not possible to buy just the rubber seal that goes between the 3rd brake light base and cab roof. You can buy a new 2rd brake light lens, the seal between the lens and the base, the base, else you need to buy the whole assembly.

    (If I'm wrong on that and anyone knows the p/n for the 3rd-brake-light-to-cab-seal, please correct me and cough up that number, I'm planning to buy a few)
     
  4. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:23 PM
    #4
    Blitzz

    Blitzz [OP] New Member

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  5. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:28 PM
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    Blitzz

    Blitzz [OP] New Member

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    Where can I find the Light-To-Cab seal at? My light did not come with one.
     
  6. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:45 PM
    #6
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    That's what I'm saying: There isn't one.

    Yeah, fitment still looks terrible to me. This is typical of 3rd party light housings.
     
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  7. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:54 PM
    #7
    Tundra2

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  8. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:56 PM
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    Blitzz

    Blitzz [OP] New Member

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    Oh I apologize I misunderstood your response. and yeah it isnt the best, but it wasnt a very expensive light so im not expecting it to be perfect. I have heard that as long as the water does not get into the lights themselves the moisture is okay on the sides.. and I took a pressure washer directly to the light and it only let in minimal water behind the light itself. I plan on ordering a gasket for it. Which should help, but it isnt a terrible problem is it?
     
  9. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #9
    Tundra2

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    If water is getting into the light lens, odds are water is getting into the cab above your headliner also.

    Even if its just a tiny amount now, but I've never seen a "leak" on anything get better with time. They only get worse.
     
  10. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:09 PM
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    Blitzz

    Blitzz [OP] New Member

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    So if I got a gasket for the light do you think that would help? I have seen lots of people put there lights on without gaskets though
     
  11. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:37 PM
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    Tundra2

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  12. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:41 PM
    #12
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    You answered your own question: It's cheap. It isn't the best, it's going to leak, progressively worse. Leaks eventually ruin your interior, cause mold growth you'll never get rid of and the bad smells that come with them.

    It wasn't very expensive. Trash it and reinstall the factory light. This is a case to learn: You usually get what you pay for. And a lot of times you pay for what you get (when it's crap and causes issues)
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2020
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  13. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:46 PM
    #13
    Tundra2

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    X2
     
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  14. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:17 PM
    #14
    Stuck in the '00s

    Stuck in the '00s Experienced member

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    Yeah, what shifty and everybody else said.
    (When I saw the OP I was just going to reply with "NOPE")
     
  15. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:20 PM
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    Blitzz

    Blitzz [OP] New Member

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    So if I buy a gasket to fit around it you think that will keep the water from going behind the housing above the headliner? If it goes into the housing itself and ruins the light I dont really care about it.
     
  16. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:06 PM
    #16
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

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    You could try to see if the rubber gasket off your original fits on that aftermarket one. Worth a try.
     
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  17. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:18 PM
    #17
    Dog

    Dog sit!

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    Why did you replace the original? What were you trying to solve or accomplish? If just to get LEDS or fix burned out bulbs, better to just use your original housing and replace the bulbs as @Tundra2 referenced.
     
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  18. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:31 PM
    #18
    Stuck in the '00s

    Stuck in the '00s Experienced member

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    Once I took a 3rd brake light from an '80s Camaro and installed it on a '60 Ranchero--but it came with a gasket, so I dunno.
     
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  19. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:34 PM
    #19
    Tundra2

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    I was planning on replacing my original high mount with an OEM high mount. My reflector lens on the inside was melted by years of incandescents use. It's toasted. I was going to replace the whole thing for improved lighting.

    Thats been put on hold for the time being.

    @Blitzz, I would try the original gasket, and see if it works. Like @Darkness said. Its worth a shot.

    Like @shifty` said, you get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get. Your high mount is cheap, and is probably going to be prone to leaks. Leaks getting into the cab will lead to water damage, and potentially mold. NG.

    If nothing else, reinstall your OEM unit you removed. I never saw a "reason" for replacement, but maybe I missed it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2020

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