Evil Manufacturing/Dirt Kartel Tacoma 3rd Brake Light

Remember, the little kid was only six years old that welded that, and it was towards the end of his 16 hour shift.

 

Exactly

 

Appreciate everyone's feedback on the mount. Personally I don't mind the welds because it is powdercoated and it is barely noticeable at first glance. If you were to stand in the bed and looking at it closely, you would obviously be able to see them. I have a buddy that has this mount as well and his welds are not bad, maybe I did get one of the bad bunch. I just wanted to share my experience with the product.

 

That one looks a little better. I think for what it os it looks ok, not top notch but ok. I would be hesitant to drill now holes in the roof myself. Like others mentioned there are already issues with leaks... though maybe this would negate the stock leaking problems and provide a better seal?



Just out of curiosity what is the price point for this thing?

 

Just for reference, its been raining a lot lately here in SoCal especially yesterday after the install. So far no leaks, but I did make sure to use marine grade silicone around the rive nuts and do a bead along the line with the weather stripping of the mount. I can keep you guys updated if there are any leaks. Retail for this mount is $225 and if you want to add the mount of the NMO cable, it is an additional $30.

 

Nope.

 

Can a printed cover hold an antenna and not crack after a while? I would think metal would be the only way to go.

 

YouTube HP Jet fusion. They printed a 1.5” plastic chain link and lifted a car by it with a crane. So I’d say yes.
Obviously metal is superior, but you are limited in design with straight lines. There’s trade offs to both. OP’s is nice, the design isn’t bad.. just needs refining IMO

 

wait wat gimme

 

$225!!

 

Exactly.
Looks like the OP made that in eighth grade shop class.

 

Looks like something I'd expect to see in an old Dodge Ram in the Oklahoma backwoods.

 

I’ve got to ask what’s the blue for? You need red for brake and white to light up the bed, so what’s the blue for? While the amber in the original post is daft IMO, I do get the use of it as it’s less blinding / easier on the eyes than white. And I’m assuming the 4 small lights are red LEDs for the brake.

 

One thing to mention too on plastic vs metal is you need metal for the antenna mount for it to function properly, with a good SWR. So that's something to consider.

I personally like it a lot. If that price includes the Baja light, then that seems reasonable. The lights aren't cheap.

 

I’m actually curious as to the blue light as well?

You can go with a no ground plane antenna for non metal mounted applications .

 

True, but they're not nearly as good based on everything I've read while doing research on antenna stuff.

My thought was chase light or something.

 

From the Evil MFG/Dirt Kartel site...
"Baja Designs Lights are sold separately."

It is just the mount for $225 no lights...

 

Oh damn

 

With any Baja Designs light you are able to interchange the lenses (or colors). I opted for an amber lense as I wanted to use the BD S2 as a chase light. My buddy (2nd photo) opted out for a blue lense just for the look of it. The blue lense does have a purpose and is know to symbolize "slower vehicles" out in places like glamis.

EDIT: With any car as well you need to have a functional 3rd brake light. The mount comes with 2 pre installed brake lights and 2 cargo lights (they are the little lights on the outside of the BD S2). Mine opted to have a total of 4 brake lights on the mount. I use the S2 as a dust light as well as a cargo bed light if I wanted to.

 

I bet you can use a strong 3M double sided tape on the aftermarket third light instead of drilling the roof. The OEM is basically glued on as well. I’m not hating on this light as it has good potential for improvements, specially when there is no options for our trucks.