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Replacing 3rd brake light/Cargo light 2007-2021 Tundra

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Mobeyk, Feb 10, 2022.

  1. Feb 28, 2022 at 3:06 PM
    #31
    Degausser

    Degausser New Member

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    See sig for mods
    I added some extra weather stripping around the edges for my own peace of mind. Looks great though. Matches my Hi-Rev tails really well.

    20220228_180208.jpg 20220228_180059.jpg
     
    mzim, GWill, Ekelleyco and 1 other person like this.
  2. Feb 28, 2022 at 3:46 PM
    #32
    Mobeyk

    Mobeyk [OP] New Member

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    Vland headlights, LED fogs, Rough country lower bumper LED bar, third light switch to LED, ICL ceramic coating, hood fender
    Nice. Lets see now how long they last. I haven't had issues with water getting in, so all good. The OWM light didn't have much better foam backing but there was good amount of adhesive film on the truck that I had to clean off.
     
  3. Feb 28, 2022 at 3:48 PM
    #33
    Degausser

    Degausser New Member

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    Yeah I'm sure it would've been fine with the stripping they had. I just figured an extra ring of protection couldn't hurt.
     
  4. Mar 7, 2022 at 12:55 PM
    #34
    Ekelleyco

    Ekelleyco New Member

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    that’s a pretty truck man! Lovin those lights
     
  5. Aug 21, 2022 at 7:01 PM
    #35
    Enviroman

    Enviroman New Member

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    What do you mean by “had the oem done”? Did you paint your brake lights with something like nightshades, or did you have something else done? I think that looks great, and would like to do whatever you did, if it’s something I can do, myself. Thank you, sir.
     
  6. Aug 22, 2022 at 10:02 PM
    #36
    Jwood562

    Jwood562 New Member

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    3" Suspension lift 18" method roost 35x12.5x18 ridge grapplers 2020 sequoia LED headlights
    I’m not sure how old this thread is but I did something to an extra brake light unit I bought.

    I eliminated the cargo lights and rewired everything. So one solid brake light. All tinted red and lightly smoked.

    looks much cleaner and oem to me. Plus I have an external light for my bed
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2022
    biebs96 likes this.
  7. Sep 1, 2022 at 5:01 PM
    #37
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Any pics? How did you you wire the cabs to become brake lights?....cut and splice to the center light? A plug and play harness would be nice for something like that.
     
  8. Sep 1, 2022 at 5:16 PM
    #38
    Jwood562

    Jwood562 New Member

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    I had a third brake light assembly I got cheap on offer up. I just wanted the lens but it came complete.

    I got to looking at it and realized I could easily do it. The plug has 3 pins, ground, brake and cargo. Once identified I depinned the cargo pin, then tapped the brake light wire to existing cargo sockets.

    tinted the entire lens red.

    I run a baja s2 work light on my roof rack as bed lighting

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Tundra234[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Sep 1, 2022 at 5:31 PM
    #39
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Nice! I was thinking about this for mine the other day. Cargo lights don't do me any good with my bed cover. I have red vinyl to cover the clear areas.
     
  10. Sep 1, 2022 at 5:36 PM
    #40
    Jwood562

    Jwood562 New Member

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    I got to get in the vinyl game, I’m old school and use nite shades red and black versions.

    I did something similar to my 2nd gen tail lights as the third brake light.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/my-custom-taillight-project.80641/
     
    IIonPilgrimg likes this.
  11. Sep 1, 2022 at 6:00 PM
    #41
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    I remember that post. They turned out nice! That was about the time I sold my 2013.
     
  12. Sep 1, 2022 at 6:26 PM
    #42
    biebs96

    biebs96 my other truck is a big brown truck

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    thats a great idea.
     
  13. Sep 5, 2022 at 9:17 AM
    #43
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    I am going to do this on my 2020. I'll start with the red vinyl that I use to cut the taillight overlays. I'll use Vled bulbs as well. This would be easily reversible as the harness with sockets is only $15 from Toyota.
     
    Jwood562 and Taco-Spike like this.
  14. Sep 6, 2022 at 10:32 AM
    #44
    Jwood562

    Jwood562 New Member

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    That’s great that the harness is so cheap

    easily reversible if you ever needed.

    snap some pics of the vinyl install. I really need to get on vinyl wrapping. Really want to do some cool taillights with the honeycomb pattern
     
  15. Sep 6, 2022 at 10:37 AM
    #45
    TheBeast

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    I just popped some VLEDS in the oem one and smoked the 3rd light cover. Nice and bright with the LEDs.
    Now I have a shell so moot point though :)
     
  16. Sep 6, 2022 at 10:42 AM
    #46
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Ha you missed the point I think. I am eliminating the cargo lights and making them additional 3rd brake lights. Actually they would be brake light #6 and 7 lol.
     
  17. Sep 6, 2022 at 10:43 AM
    #47
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Will do. Once the harness comes in tomorrow I may have a wire question at the plug itself but it looks like it will be simple enough.
     
  18. Sep 6, 2022 at 10:46 AM
    #48
    Jwood562

    Jwood562 New Member

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    you will easily see which wires are which, that’s what gave me the idea just looking at a spare third light assembly
     
    Tundra234[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Mar 30, 2023 at 7:45 AM
    #49
    Pulido69

    Pulido69 Made in Texas!! Fight for what you love !!

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    I have a 2016 toyota tundra. My oem brake light has been replaced once already. About two years later it started leaking again. Every time it rains or I wash my truck. Water gets in through the third break light I replace the gasket. Doesn't help. How does that one hold up when it rains? You don't get any water in?
     
    CETundra likes this.
  20. Mar 30, 2023 at 9:10 AM
    #50
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    The gasket behind the lens?
     
  21. Mar 30, 2023 at 9:15 AM
    #51
    chugs

    chugs New Member

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    I had similar issue, used additional rtv silcone sealant and no more leaks.
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2024
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  22. Oct 15, 2023 at 1:36 PM
    #52
    CETundra

    CETundra New Member

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    I just wanted to add that there is a tab along the middle bottom of the OE 3rd brake light assembly that needs to be depressed before removing - see attached photo from 2008 Tundra SR5. The stealership wanted $630 to replace because it was leaking, but with the help of this thread I did it for $120. I bought the part from toyotapartsdeal.com and bought some silicone RTV adhesive/sealant. The prongs/studs on the original assembly had broken somehow and the foam weatherstripping was completely deteriorated.

    16974021882506033134832883936771.jpg
     
  23. Dec 13, 2023 at 12:01 AM
    #53
    IIonPilgrimg

    IIonPilgrimg New Member

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    Factory / Dealer installed at purchase: 1) TRD big brakes 2) TRD dual exhaust 3) TRD cold air intake 4) bed rug 5) bed mat 6) Tundra floor mats
    Jwood562... Those red/blacked taillights are near perfect. Added to my 'when the weather improves' list.
     
  24. Feb 29, 2024 at 12:29 PM
    #54
    TundraDar

    TundraDar New Member

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    Anybody have any updates on how their aftermarket third brake light held up as of 2024?
    I replaced mine in 2020 (w the one in the pic im attaching) and only recently started having leak issues. I noticed the truck always smelling damp, and recently discovered dampness behind the seats on the carpet/ on my sub and amp. We siliconed this light upon installation but it has clearly failed regardless.
    I really wanted something smoked and LED to match my tailights, I dont wanna have to go back to OEM but now I have very little trust in anything but :rain: open to recommendations if anyone knows any long term reputable 3rd brake lights

    IMG_0731.jpg
     
  25. Feb 29, 2024 at 1:46 PM
    #55
    IIonPilgrimg

    IIonPilgrimg New Member

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    Factory / Dealer installed at purchase: 1) TRD big brakes 2) TRD dual exhaust 3) TRD cold air intake 4) bed rug 5) bed mat 6) Tundra floor mats
    I have this mod planned and will use one of the methods below when I get it.

    Silicone is the problem, not the light:
    Silicone is a base element and terrible sealant against water intrusion. It's nearly impossible to remove from paint when prepping for re-spray. Perfect for water pump gaskets and that's about it. Never use it around boats!

    Use the 3M 5200 product (LocTite Marine Sealant is similar). Home Depot or Lowes: Paint Dept. These are used in the marine environment for thru-hulls / outboard engine mounting / scuppers / etc. It is permanently flexible and quite 'rubbery' is the best description. Available in black, though you'll find white at the Dept store.

    Method #1 (good): Spread the Marine Sealant (sparingly) on your part and stick the gasket to it. Let it cure for a few hours (or overnight), then mount the part to your Tundra body.
    Method #2 (better): Spread sealant between two layers of mylar (or acetate) sheeting and use a rolling pin to spread it out flat, large enough to make a gasket you can cut out with a razor (or scissors) after it cures for #48 hours.

    Use extreme Caution: If you glue the part to your Tundra with this stuff, you'll scratch paint and cause dents trying to cut/scrape it off later. But, it won't leak ever again!
     
    chugs likes this.

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