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

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

that’s a pretty truck man! Lovin those lights

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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/

 

I remember that post. They turned out nice! That was about the time I sold my 2013.

 

thats a great idea.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

you will easily see which wires are which, that’s what gave me the idea just looking at a spare third light assembly

 

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?

 

The gasket behind the lens?

 

I had similar issue, used additional rtv silcone sealant and no more leaks.

 

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.

 

Jwood562... Those red/blacked taillights are near perfect. Added to my 'when the weather improves' list.

 

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 open to recommendations if anyone knows any long term reputable 3rd brake lights

 

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!