Can the stock wiring be rewired so the backup light also activate when the brake lights activate? In other words, I'd like for both the backup lights and the brake lights to turn on when the brakes are applied. Would prefer to also keep the backup lights functionality, as in when going in reverse those lights still come on. Is the solution as simple as running a tap from brake to backup and is this safe?

 

All you have to do is run a jumper wire from the + brake wire to the + reverse wire and yes its safe. Why do you want to do that though?

 

That is not a good idea unless you NEVER drive on public roads at night. If someone was behind you when you hit the breaks at night you would blind them. Very unsafe.

 

Yes, it can be done. No, not the way atr described. Woods is right - it would be illegal on-road everywhere.

 

I just wanted a more "even" look to the taillights. I don't know why Chevys have top and bottom bulbs in each of their taillights but we only have 1 up top? Not terribly bright either. I will have to abandon this idea, not looking to cause any accidents or anything.

 

if your goal is to add a brighter brake light then just add some red LED lights, there are a lot of prefab stuff or just get some LED lights ( housings) and install on your tailgate - use quicke connect plugs on the tailgate for removal

 

I already have. I got the 92-LEDs LED bulbs from v-leds dot com site for $60 a pair and trust me they're not that bright lol. Definitely not worth the $. I don't believe there's anything out there with more than 92 LEDs on a single bulb? I have the Recon LED taillights in my other F-150 ('99) and those are bright as hell! So bright you can see them in broad daylight (just think Texas summertime sun) and people also honk at me and say that my brakes are dragging. I would get Recon tails for my '08 but I'm not particularly fond of the Recon LED taillights design for the 2004-2008 model year. It's got these round reflectors on the bottom and I do not like anything rounded in design. Tried eBay as well and the taillight designs on there are even funkier looking, very "rice".

 

The stock taillights meet every requirement, and are bright enough that no one has hit you yet due to not seeing them, right? If GM needs 2 bulbs to accomplish the same thing, then it sounds like their reflectors & lenses aren't designed as well as Ford's. Aren't you glad you bought the better design?

 

Ditch the LED bulbs. Manufactures of these seem to be playing games to get them to work in an incandescent bulb reflector, which is not designed for LEDs.

I installed the Silverstar Stop/turn bulbs, and they are slightly brighter than standard bulbs, I don't think I would go that route again.

I installed a line of Fire LED light bar, which added a bit of rear facing light to the truck.

If you just want a more even look ( not more light output ) get one of the rubber grommet bulb holders and install it in the bottom section. This will add light in that section, but without a reflector it will not be that bright.
You can always take the tail light apart and do a spray in reflector to help ( just a SWAG, no proof that it would help ).

A LED Stop / Turn / Tail light unit is built as a single unit for a reason, to make them work correctly. Trying to add LEDs a distance behind the lens is not going to work as well as a single unit like the Hella or others that are specifically built as LED S/T/T units.

 

I know I was dissing eBay a couple of days ago but these taillights are brand new from DT_Moto, available as of yesterday. Plus they don't have any weird round reflectors on the bottom and have LEDs both on top and bottom of the housing. I have them on order so we'll see how they work out this weekend. Available in chrome, smoked red, smoked, and black only, just red n/a.

For the price compared to Recon, even if they don't work out I'm not terribly worried about it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-FO...ht_5085wt_1162

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-08...ht_5055wt_1162