3rd brake light

[RockyF150]

Does anyone know of an LED blacked out one for sale? I've looked with no luck. If I can't find one it's on the plans to black out this year.

 

[jasonlmarsh]

I've had one on order with Andy's Autosport for 2 months now. I'm thinking about canceling my order and throwing in some LED bulbs and tinting it myself.

 

[RockyF150]

I checked that site and all I saw were universal units. I guess no one makes an led 3rd brake light. Next up for me is to tint the factory.

How do you plan on tinting yours? I do an actual tinted clear coat.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

I checked that site and all I saw were universal units. I guess no one makes an led 3rd brake light. Next up for me is to tint the factory.

How do you plan on tinting yours? I do an actual tinted clear coat.

Hmmm. Is that legal in your locale? Would hate to do it and get cited.

 

[jasonlmarsh]

I checked that site and all I saw were universal units. I guess no one makes an led 3rd brake light. Next up for me is to tint the factory.

How do you plan on tinting yours? I do an actual tinted clear coat.

I ordered for an 03-06 model Expedition, I'm almost positive they have the same 3rd brake light as the 07+. If I decide to do the tint, I think I'll probably do something like Rvinyl.com - Tint & Auto Accessories so that it can be removed if I need to go back to stock.

 

[RockyF150]

Hmmm. Is that legal in your locale? Would hate to do it and get cited.

As long as it's still red reflective and that the light shines through a certain distance. I've blacked out all my lights on my vette and I have done a good group of others in this area. I do intend on doing it to only the third brake light but it can be done to all.

I ordered for an 03-06 model Expedition, I'm almost positive they have the same 3rd brake light as the 07+. If I decide to do the tint, I think I'll probably do something like Rvinyl.com - Tint & Auto Accessories so that it can be removed if I need to go back to stock.

Well that would explain why I couldn't find one. Might have to check into that. If that won't work I'll do the tinted clear coat. Not so worried about needing to change it back. top part of ex is black so it'll blend in and look better anyway.

 

[RI-Matt]

My concern with tinting the rear lights ( 3rd brake light, tails ) would be if you got rear ended by someone who claimed they didnt see your brake lights because they were too dark and filed a lawsuit. I believe any modification to the brake lights is "technically" illegal.

Years ago I had tinted tails on my Buick Grand National and almost got rear-ended by some old guy. Yes it probably would have been his fault but it still would mess up my car.


Matt

 

[RockyF150]

My concern with tinting the rear lights ( 3rd brake light, tails ) would be if you got rear ended by someone who claimed they didnt see your brake lights because they were too dark and filed a lawsuit. I believe any modification to the brake lights is "technically" illegal.

Years ago I had tinted tails on my Buick Grand National and almost got rear-ended by some old guy. Yes it probably would have been his fault but it still would mess up my car.


Matt

My lights are very visible. I've even been told by people that I shouldn't have them than when they saw me driving at night they said that they were wrong and there was enough visibility. We have state inspections every year and I've always passed with them blacked out.

I do agree though. If someone hits you it will mess up your car. They hit you in the rear, it's almost always classified as their fault. Now if they want to claim they couldn't see, they always could but it wouldn't be hard to prove if that was the case or not. Still. I've had no issues locally with the law.

 

[jasonlmarsh]

I decided to go your route and VHT the tails and 3rd brake light. This is 3 coats VHT (wish I stopped at 2 coats but oh well), and 6 coats of clear and polished with Meguires. The LED's shine through nice and bright, even in direct sunlight. Just need to purchase some LED bulbs for the high mount, although you can still see them ok.

Also did 2 coats on the Fogs to tone them down a bit so they blend in better with the heads & grille.

 

[RockyF150]

That look great. I've never used the VHT nite shades. I know a lot of people that do though. I use a tinted clear coat.

Yours look really good. I like the idea of hitting the fogs a bit to blend them in.

 

[Edmund K]

I decided to go your route and VHT the tails and 3rd brake light. This is 3 coats VHT (wish I stopped at 2 coats but oh well), and 6 coats of clear and polished with Meguires. The LED's shine through nice and bright, even in direct sunlight. Just need to purchase some LED bulbs for the high mount, although you can still see them ok.

Also did 2 coats on the Fogs to tone them down a bit so they blend in better with the heads & grille.

Hey Jason, are those the Anzo tailights under that smoked tint? I just put a pair of Anzo's on my Expy, and they seem to need a little "smoke" or something to tone down the clear plastic housing. Thanks for posting your pics, they look great!

 

[jasonlmarsh]

Hey Jason, are those the Anzo tailights under that smoked tint? I just put a pair of Anzo's on my Expy, and they seem to need a little "smoke" or something to tone down the clear plastic housing. Thanks for posting your pics, they look great!

I'm not sure if they are specifically Anzo brand, but they look exactly the same. Fortunately the LED lights are so bright that you still get a good bright glow after the VHT application.

 

[bricekin]

I ordered for an 03-06 model Expedition, I'm almost positive they have the same 3rd brake light as the 07+. If I decide to do the tint, I think I'll probably do something like Rvinyl.com - Tint & Auto Accessories so that it can be removed if I need to go back to stock.

I was thinking the same thing about the third housings. I also believe that the 03-06 model is the same. Should be fine. Those things are all over the place on eBay.

That being said, I just did LED bulbs in mine since I'm not satisfied with the appearance of any of the aftermarket lighting for our trucks.

 

[jasonlmarsh]

I was thinking the same thing about the third housings. I also believe that the 03-06 model is the same. Should be fine. Those things are all over the place on eBay.

That being said, I just did LED bulbs in mine since I'm not satisfied with the appearance of any of the aftermarket lighting for our trucks.

I finally gave up on getting this. It was backordered forever and finally they just canceled my order and returned my money, saying the part was no longer available. So I VHT's my factory light and threw some super bright leds in there.

 

[DF5.4]

I tinted my 3rd brakelight a couple of years ago. I used 3 coats of tint and 3 coats of clear over it and polished it. I just noticed that the clear is starting to chip off the top edge. I need to clean it up.

 

[bricekin]

Just in case anyone was still wondering, I took my truck in for the 100k servicing on Monday and they had a 03 Expy in the shop. I took a look and to me it looks like the 3rd brake is pretty damn identical to the 3rd gen light. So... I'd say any of the LED replacements for the 2nd gen should fit ours... they go pretty reasonable on eBay.

Click here for eBay link

 

[RockyF150]

Good information. If someone with a 3rd gen lived close to a 2nd gen owner that could do a swap just to see. It'd be interesting to know.

 

[bricekin]

Good information. If someone with a 3rd gen lived close to a 2nd gen owner that could do a swap just to see. It'd be interesting to know.

I'll see what I can do. I'm almost 100% positive that it'll bolt right in but if I get the opportunity, I'll report back.

EDIT:

I just checked the Ford parts database... it appears that it is the same item number for an 07 that it is for an 05 so... I'd say it's all good.

EDIT EDIT:

Just checked again from 03 to 12 and it appears they are the same through-out.

 

[Edmund K]

I ordered the LED version made by Spyder from Autoplicity.com, and hopefully should get it soon. It's listed as being for 03-06 so I'll let you know in pics and words how it fits on my 08 when it gets here.

 

[Edmund K]

I ordered the LED version made by Spyder from Autoplicity.com, and hopefully should get it soon. It's listed as being for 03-06 so I'll let you know in pics and words how it fits on my 08 when it gets here.

Well my order through Autoplicity was cancelled today because the co. said they couldn't fulfill my order within the next month(!) so it seems Spyder must not be making these anymore. Dang! I'm going to see what I can find at Amazon.com