Was out drinking with the neighbors in the cul-de-sac and my neighbor turns to me and asks when I busted my light...

I thought well crap . I never noticed. Must of happened in the last week or so.

Anyways. Light is busted. Outter plastic is gone on half of the light. No clue what actually happened.


So where is the place to buy?

Good brands? Go back with OEM?

And I've seen some that says you need to remove the headliner to install. Is that the case for ALL or just a select few? -- Is it difficult to remove headliner and replace?

Worth it to upgrade to LED brake light?

I've also been reading on here that some of the aftermarket brands leak and have issues. Any brands to avoid?

Also saw a few people post that they used RTV or some sort of foam gasket to stop any chance of leaks.

Thanks

 

I have an aftermarket 3rd brakelight from ebay. Been on for about 4 years, no leakage. No removal of headliner, just 2 screws on top and plug and play. Middle is led. outside is regular bulbs.

 

Nice. Is that just an eBay type brand or is that a name brand light?

 

I think just an eBay one.

 

They take like 15 seconds to take off and it's just those two really long external screws holding it on.

I have the OEM one and don't have any plans to do anything with it, so haven't looked at any aftermarket.

 

Yeah, I wasn't really looking either till I noticed it was broke..

I ended up ordering a for $86

 

I have the recon smoked led 3rd break light and I really like it. Picked it up on ebay.

 

I saw this thread and was at work, not to mention my photobucket wanting me to buy bandwidth . I wanted to suggest my 3rd brake light from ebay for $40 some which uses a bright 3rd brake light LED and you can use your own cargo LEDs. I have bright 6000k 18 led bulbs in my cargos. Love it, just wish it was darker. Going to have Brent smoke it if I ever get the taillights for my car to get smoked.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-2008-FORD-F150-L-E-D-HIGH-MOUNT-3RD-THIRD-BRAKE-LIGHT-LED-SMOKE-LENS-/300998396520?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AF-150&hash=item4614e70a68&vxp=mtr
I definitely suggest to anyone buying a brake light, do not buy this kind.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-08-FORD-F-150-F150-FULL-L-E-D-3RD-THIRD-BRAKE-CARGO-LIGHT-LED-CHROME-/191118795144?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AF-150&hash=item2c7f916188&vxp=mtr
It is a full LED board brake light. You uninstall the OEM harness and plug this in. My friend has this and it is oxidized and golden looking, and it is not at all bright. Mine runs circles around his in cargo and brake light.

Shanks, I hope the Recon treats you good! Another thing I love about the 3rd brake light I ordered is I love that it is clear. Not frosted/clouded like OEM Hella 3rd brake light.

EDIT:

Bandwidth is reset! Have a look at my light pics in case you end up dissatisfied with the Recon.
http://s695.photobucket.com/user/Dar...?sort=3&page=1

 

Darren,

Damn that 3rd brake light you got looks pretty good. Had I not already picked up the Recon on Amazon, I would probably would have purchased that one.

Did you end up just doing a straight swap, or did you have to use any additional sealer? Also did you have to remove part of headliner for install like I have seen?

 

You can always return the Recon if your not happy.

Yes, straight up swap. No sealer. It had its own gasket. No moisture ever in it and still works perfect. The LED brake light has a wire with an end just like the bulb. Straight swap. No headliner work. I don't understand why anyone would need to pull the headliner because even if it is one that you unplug the OEM harness you can pull it from the roof. I did it for my bud who I have a cheap 3rd brake light. And seeing how bright his is and how it has held up, i do not recommend the full LED brake light that swaps harness. I only recommend my brake light.

 

I was thinking the same thing. It was actually one of the reviews on the Recon light on Amazon.

And I believe I saw 1 or 2 posts about it on this forum.

But good deal. Now I just need to get someone to help me remove my bed cover to get the thing on. Don't think that cover could hold my butt

 

Pshhh just stand on it over top of the bed side Removing the bed cover is too much work for a 30 seconds light swap haha

 

Haha, We'll see if my arms are long enough to reach it

 

Well, I doesn't look like I am going to be able to do it from the side/standing in the doors.

According to the instructions, you need to be able look into the opening and pry out a tab and pull at least 6" of wire out.

Sounds like I wont be able to see this from the side.

 

I meant stand on the very edge of the bed where it's closest to the cab. I'd at least unscrew the thing to get a look at what you'll be messing with. When I've taken mine off, the wires with the bulbs were free once you unplug the bulbs from the housing.