Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 So I'm looking to add a third brake light/cargo light to my truck. The only ones I can think of are off a Ranger but they look to require a large section to be cut out for the back of the lens housings and plugs. Even the Aftermarket ones look as though they require a large hole to be cut out. What I'm wondering is if there is an option that anyone knows of where I only need a small hole for the wires and screws to hold it on. I'd rather not cut a huge hole in the back of the truck. Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Author Posted January 2, 2017 Do you have a sport bar ? I wish! But sadly no. Maybe at some point I'll have the funds and time to search for one but for now I need a solution for a third brake light/cargo light that mounts directly to the truck. I'm not as concerned with the third brake light but if a cop around here sees a light up there he will assume it's a brake light and I will be pulled over when it doesn't come on. I'd rather avoid that headache all together and do a third brake light too. Around here they don't mess around with brake lights being out.
87MJTIM Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 Do you have a sport bar ? I wish! But sadly no. Maybe at some point I'll have the funds and time to search for one but for now I need a solution for a third brake light/cargo light that mounts directly to the truck. I'm not as concerned with the third brake light but if a cop around here sees a light up there he will assume it's a brake light and I will be pulled over when it doesn't come on. I'd rather avoid that headache all together and do a third brake light too. Around here they don't mess around with brake lights being out. If the cop tries to give you ticket, tell him that he can go pound sand. The MJ NEVER came with the third brake light from the factory. No state can force you to install a feature that did not come from the factory. Our trucks (and any older vehicle) are grandfathered for not having a third brake light.
mikekaz1 Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 Old chevys used a cargo light very similar to the factory MJ light. And probably can still be readily found online.
Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Author Posted January 2, 2017 Right I know they can't give me a ticket, I just don't want be pulled over every day and have to explain its a cargo light. Its easier if I just do the third brake light combo but I really don't want to cut a huge hole in the truck to clear the back of the lenses. I'm okay with a few small holes.
gogmorgo Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 The officers will see an older vehicle and leave you alone. Third brake lights weren't required until the early '90's, and the '80's-tastic MJ will be left alone.
Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Author Posted January 2, 2017 Well I am doing the 97+ conversion so it will look newer. But either way anyone have a solution for the light that doesn't require cutting a huge hole in the truck?
Strokermjcomanche Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 Not sure what all expectations you have ... http://m.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Chrome-Art-Deco-LED-Third-3rd-Brake-Light-License-Plate-Light-Hot-Rod-/112128943288?hash=item1a1b67e4b8%3Ag%3AVAAAAOSwE6VXJUX6&_trkparms=pageci%253Acf75effe-d0f0-11e6-bd98-74dbd180a3bf%257Cparentrq%253A5f67866b1590a605d6da2fc2ffcafabd%257Ciid%253A5
Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Author Posted January 2, 2017 Not sure what all expectations you have ... http://m.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Chrome-Art-Deco-LED-Third-3rd-Brake-Light-License-Plate-Light-Hot-Rod-/112128943288?hash=item1a1b67e4b8%3Ag%3AVAAAAOSwE6VXJUX6&_trkparms=pageci%253Acf75effe-d0f0-11e6-bd98-74dbd180a3bf%257Cparentrq%253A5f67866b1590a605d6da2fc2ffcafabd%257Ciid%253A5 That's what I'm looking for, it needs to be flush across the back and only requires small holes for screws and wires. The chrome doesn't work for me so I'll have to keep searching. I'm looking for something with a smoked lens as my truck will be orange with black trim. I figured there would be someone here who has done this before and not wanted to cut a huge hole for the backs of the light housings.
Strokermjcomanche Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 Got a can of spray paint ? It can be black lol So you want a smoked lens ? VHT makes a nightshade product to achieve what you want . If you're worried about cops pulling you over having a smoked lens is one way for them to do that ( if it's not DoT approved )
Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Author Posted January 2, 2017 Got a can of spray paint ? It can be black lol So you want a smoked lens ? VHT makes a nightshade product to achieve what you want . If you're worried about cops pulling you over having a smoked lens is one way for them to do that ( if it's not DoT approved ) Ironically enough a lot of people around here have smoked lenses and the cops don't seem to care, just want the lights to function. I think I may have found my best option. It's got a flat back to it and a clear lens but the housing is black so it works for my color scheme. I just wish I knew how tall it was. The listing doesn't state the dimensions but I would assume it's like 6"x1"x1". Would it look weird sticking off the back of the truck that far? Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
man-coche Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 Why not wire up your cargo light to function as a third brake light? That is if you have a cargo light. Found a write up on how on another forum. http://www.f150online.com/forums/pre-1997-models/407553-led-third-brake-light.html Just as a suggestion... Or Could go this route found here, http://comancheclub.com/topic/41830-back-of-cab-light/
Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Author Posted January 2, 2017 Why not wire up your cargo light to function as a third brake light? That is if you have a cargo light. Found a write up on how on another forum. http://www.f150online.com/forums/pre-1997-models/407553-led-third-brake-light.html Just as a suggestion... That's the thing I don't have a light at all. I'm looking to add a cargo light/brake light combo.
man-coche Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 In that case, you might consider and led light strip on your tail gate. To your success
Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Author Posted January 2, 2017 In that case, you might consider and led light strip on your tail gate. To your success That doesn't help with a cargo light though. I'd rather not put holes in the gate either as mine is super clean.
Tex06 Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 Cut a big hole, or get a sport bar. Anything else you're gonna be unhappy with look and function. Until then, Maglite makes a great portable cargo light :D Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
johnj92131 Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 Well I am doing the 97+ conversion so it will look newer. But either way anyone have a solution for the light that doesn't require cutting a huge hole in the truck? I think you are giving the Police more credit than they earned. First, a cargo light is white - a brake light is red. Second, the two tail lights make it easy to spot a bad light from a very long way off. Not so with a single high mounted brake light. My Passat came from the factory with a 3rd brake light that I have removed. I have never been asked about it - and yes - I have been pulled over a couple of times in the last 10 years.
Dzimm Posted January 2, 2017 Author Posted January 2, 2017 Around here if you have a third brake light that has 5 bulbs and only 4 are working, you get a ticket. Same with multi-bulb tailight. If its a newer vehicle with the led tailights and a couple leds in the array are out, you get a ticket. It's of course obvious when a tail light is out completely but no they look for parts of lights not working and bust you for that. It's ridiculous.
ParadiseMJ Posted January 3, 2017 Posted January 3, 2017 I have a third brake light from an XJ. I did have to cut a hole. It's not a cargo light. Unscrews to change a bulb. Looks perfectly stock. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
gogmorgo Posted January 3, 2017 Posted January 3, 2017 Around here if you have a third brake light that has 5 bulbs and only 4 are working, you get a ticket. Same with multi-bulb tailight. If its a newer vehicle with the led tailights and a couple leds in the array are out, you get a ticket. It's of course obvious when a tail light is out completely but no they look for parts of lights not working and bust you for that. It's ridiculous. I think this problem is best solved by moving somewhere else...
mikekaz1 Posted January 3, 2017 Posted January 3, 2017 DNA Motoring 3BL-FSPRAN99-LED-SM Third Brake Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9G2TII/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wrWAyb5Q716A2
Dzimm Posted January 3, 2017 Author Posted January 3, 2017 DNA Motoring 3BL-FSPRAN99-LED-SM Third Brake Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9G2TII/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wrWAyb5Q716A2 This looks perfect and very thin too! I think I'm gonna order it and see how it fits and looks. Thanks!
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now