3rd Brake Light Replacement

[that408guy]

Mine came with a foam seal to stick on to it. I stuck it on the brake light and then put it on the truck. But I think I was supposed to stick it on the opening of the truck (there's only 3M adhesive on one side of the seal) and then install the light over it and the opening. I washed and been through rain, though, and so far nothing seems to be bad on it. Don't see any wet spot on the headliner inside and the light still works.

I put that foam gasket on the light itself too. Didn't think about applying it to the truck itself lol.

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[Scottopia]

I have the itch to swap out my 3rd Brake Light with an LED smoked version. Currently have the LED 3rd, I see nothing on Amazon that is compatible with the factory LED. Really like the Recon option, which is compatible with the factory LED set up, but I am very reluctant to spend $200ish. I also have some concern with the actual brightness of the smoked versions.



Has anyone found a good factory LED compatible 3rd brake light or have experience with the Recon option? Or just talk me out of this latest want...

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

So, I just now found this thread as I was attempting to put in my new smoked third brake light into my 2022 Lariat FX4 SuperCrew. I am sure you've already figured this out on your own, but I just wanted to add my two cents.

I can say definitively that you cannot install it from the outside only. At least not on a 2022 Lariat. The wiring must be released from the truck from the exterior, but it is not long enough to pull through and access the required connection.

You must pull down the headliner in the back in order to access the connection. Then slide the brake light's wiring through and connect it. The headliner wasn't easy to pull down, but it did eventually. And there wasn't any lasting creases or anything that came about. It popped back in without much trouble.

This is the brake light I used from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WX5F67D?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

One thing to note is that this brake light's connector does NOT fit exactly as is. I had to shave down small tabs on one side in order for it to fit correctly. But it connects then and stays connected. And everything works well.

Finding black screws to replace the stock silver ones was almost impossible at Home Depot (since my whole truck is blacked out, I needed black screws for the smoked out light). I did find some that didn't match exactly, but they work.

Hope this helps someone.

That is not the case for all 2022 XLT, as I did my buddy's completely from the outside. Maybe your wire was stuck on something or shorter than others.

I also took mine out working only from the outside, 2020 Lariat FX4. I didn't replace it, just plasti-dipped the white lights to black.

 

[ArchitectThom]

I removed my 3rd brake light 2020 Lariat FX4, and my buddy's 2022 Lariat


That is not the case for all 2022 XLT, as I did my buddy's completely from the outside. Maybe your wire was stuck on something or shorter than others.

I also took mine out working only from the outside, 2020 Lariat FX4.

Well, that figures. I mean, yeah, you could be right. The wire could have been stuck on something inside somehow. Of course, I wasn't going to keep jerking on it to try and get it longer. Just made it harder for me, I guess, but it worked out in the end. Just figured I'd give a warning to others who might come across the same trouble. It's still possible to do even if the wire connection doesn't come all the way out of the hole. Sure wish I'd had your wire, though. Would've saved me probably a good half hour.

 

[Harry Fishknuts]

I have the itch to swap out my 3rd Brake Light with an LED smoked version. Currently have the LED 3rd, I see nothing on Amazon that is compatible with the factory LED. Really like the Recon option, which is compatible with the factory LED set up, but I am very reluctant to spend $200ish. I also have some concern with the actual brightness of the smoked versions.



Has anyone found a good factory LED compatible 3rd brake light or have experience with the Recon option? Or just talk me out of this latest want...

I am also curious as to what folks on here have installed and has been successful as an aftermarket 3rd brake light assembly? I'm still running the FORD OEM, but really looking for a smoked LED option.

 

[ArchitectThom]

I am also curious as to what folks on here have installed and has been successful as an aftermarket 3rd brake light assembly? I'm still running the FORD OEM, but really looking for a smoked LED option.

Here's the one I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WX5F67D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With a pic of it on my truck:

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