Third Brake Lights
10-15-2013, 02:31 PM
#2
Ford Tech
I have a recon led 3rd brake light I had to hardwire in since the connectors didnt fit together. Avoid cheap aftermarket they most likely will leak causing stains on the headliner.
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pcgford07 (10-15-2013)
10-15-2013, 05:13 PM
#4
Ford Tech
10-15-2013, 05:15 PM
#5
Cycle For Fun and Health
Mine is cracked also but only gets moisture in the unit - not into the cab. You could try some crazy glue just to seal the cracks. Would not even be visible from a short distance.
If you proceed to replace it, there are so many out there on ebey and amazon. Let us know how you make out whichever path you choose.
If you proceed to replace it, there are so many out there on ebey and amazon. Let us know how you make out whichever path you choose.
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pcgford07 (10-15-2013)
10-15-2013, 08:56 PM
#6
Senior Member
I bought the Recon Smoked LED 3rd. To me, it seems like the bed lights are dimmer, but others think they are brighter. Go figure.
Installation was painful until I finally figured out how to "fish" the proper connector out of the roof cavity. After that, it was a snap. No regrets on this purchase.
Installation was painful until I finally figured out how to "fish" the proper connector out of the roof cavity. After that, it was a snap. No regrets on this purchase.
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10-18-2013, 08:46 PM
#9
Senior Member
I have no idea what any of this stuff is really called, so please excuse me inventing my own terms.
The old OEM connector is the "wrong" connector. The wrong connector is attached to a wiring harness that goes inside the roof. The harness is held by nylon loops that are pushed through the sheet metal, at the factory, before the roof liner is put on. You can't get to them directly without removing the liner. However, the part of the loop that secures the loop to the roof , (the "button"), pushes through the sheet metal and sticks out into the hole where the old tail light was. You can see them if you remove the old brake light, on the right-hand side of the hole the harness comes out of. You'll recognize them as they are the only non-metal thing in the hole.
The instructions said to push the right-hand button back through the sheet metal and the harness will come free. After that, you pull on the wrong connector (remember that?) and about 12 inches of harness come out of the roof. Like a miracle, the "right" connector is part of that harness and has been hiding in there since manufacture! Plug-n-play!
The Recon had instructions, but no pictures, otherwise this would have been a snap. I accidentally took off the wrong nylon button first (the "right" one is the furthest right), then had to use a cold chisel to cut the "right" one off because I couldn't get any leverage. Probably due to my freakishly large hands.
Anyway, most people don't have many problems with the install. It took me about an hour, but I could do it again in about 15 minutes. Hope this helps!
The old OEM connector is the "wrong" connector. The wrong connector is attached to a wiring harness that goes inside the roof. The harness is held by nylon loops that are pushed through the sheet metal, at the factory, before the roof liner is put on. You can't get to them directly without removing the liner. However, the part of the loop that secures the loop to the roof , (the "button"), pushes through the sheet metal and sticks out into the hole where the old tail light was. You can see them if you remove the old brake light, on the right-hand side of the hole the harness comes out of. You'll recognize them as they are the only non-metal thing in the hole.
The instructions said to push the right-hand button back through the sheet metal and the harness will come free. After that, you pull on the wrong connector (remember that?) and about 12 inches of harness come out of the roof. Like a miracle, the "right" connector is part of that harness and has been hiding in there since manufacture! Plug-n-play!
The Recon had instructions, but no pictures, otherwise this would have been a snap. I accidentally took off the wrong nylon button first (the "right" one is the furthest right), then had to use a cold chisel to cut the "right" one off because I couldn't get any leverage. Probably due to my freakishly large hands.
Anyway, most people don't have many problems with the install. It took me about an hour, but I could do it again in about 15 minutes. Hope this helps!
