Super Ultimate 3rd Brake Light Build

i didn't have confidence in just that.. too many leak reports and expensive stereo components just under the light. so i siliconed it to hell and i could sleep at night. until seeing this hail thing, that is.

 

I had mine installed for quite a while with with just the included gasket. Never had any leak problems. You do have to make sure the gasket is properly seated as you tighten though. Eventually, I had to replace one of the BD lights and when I reinstalled I used some black RTV just for peace of mind.

 

So, I’ve been out of the loop for a while since purchasing during the first run.

Is the hexpods concept dead in the water at this point, @MESO ?

I’m particularly anxious for an NMO version.

 

Mine has been on for ~2 years with a light dose of silicone, and it’s recently started to leak if parked just right. The gasket would be fine on it’s own, but my housing wasn’t the best fit even after elongating the holes (in the sheet metal not housing), it kinda needs to be flexed into fitment and obviously need to be careful when doing that.
Still it’s a dam fine product and I am in no means knocking it. Just that overdoing the silicone isn’t going to hurt anything only help (as long as you clean up).

 

Installed! @kmorgan3 made it plug n play and it took me all of 15 min!

 

15 minutes includes the time it took to drop the headliner?

 

Yes but does not include putting it back haha. I actually put some Noico sound deadener on the roof while I had it down and messed with my molle racks. As you can see from the pic I did all this tinkering after posting. Also my OEM brake light basically fell off when I breathed on it (which was kinda alarming really). But it was about as easy as an install gets!

 

I got my BD5 all set to go in, but I went with red-white-red-white-red rocklights. Now I’m looking at yours thinking I need to change that.

 

doing a bd5 after I source some rock lights - maybe after a labor day sale. going to do 3 red and 2 white like this. I want the white to be on in reverse or when I turn them on from the bed light rocker switch on the dash, but I don't want the white leds to work with the brake lights. also still not clear if I need relay(s) or if the oem wiring can handle the load. any suggestions?

 

I didn’t do a relay just because of the amp pull. I’m guessing they just put the disclaimer to cover their ass because I can’t for the life of me think of why you would need one.

 

look at the OEM wire gauge vs amp pull, you need one per that.
But they are usually on for such a short length of time that it’s not going to be an issue. But per specifications the OEM wire gauge is not enough for the BD lights.

 

^^^ well there you have it haha. I figured someone smarter than me knew. @kmorgan3 if I hit you up about a relay in a few months now you’ll know why.

Also meant to share this earlier for the blackout / no-chrome nuts like myself. I picked up some black M4 - .25” bolts from Home Depot to attach the Bajas to @MESO housing. Looks clean. Might have to zoom in.

 

I’m not familiar with the BD to know, but is this based on 3brake? 2White? For the BD5? Is the BD4 ok, with 2/2? Just trying to understand the issue referenced.

 

I’ve seen your setup on meso’s with the KC Cyclones and it looks pretty sweet. I don’t think you can go wrong either way. I think I just wanted the reds together. The cargo lights are just a bonus, I have some LED bed lights hooked up to a cab switch that I use if I need it. Post a pic if you go that route! Maybe it’ll change my mind haha

 

going by memory (as I already posted the exact specs previously in this thread).
Each light is 0.4 amps. The OEM wire gauge (if you measure it, its like 22/23 gauge), then obviously you need to measure / guess as to the loom length.
but seems to remember you needed 18 gauge for 2 or more lights if you look at the distance from fuse box to lights.

 

I am waiting for @Baja Designs they are 7 more weeks out on top of the 4 weeks I have been waiting, for rock lights.

 

Thanks for requoting and the explanation. I can see where 3 is an issue. My calcs put 2 just under, but not much margin based on that figure.

 

ok, got it. need relays. any suggestions on make/model for the relays? can i use the oem wiring as the trigger?

 

Yup, OE is trigger. Relays depends on preference/location, but nearly any would work… from the $3 Autozone to the hermetically sealed gold standards.

 

Oh, and for those hunting the best BD or KC prices… don’t forget our very own @memario1214