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Extra 3rd brakelights...

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by ToyTrainGuy, Jun 22, 2015.

  1. Jun 22, 2015 at 11:13 AM
    #1
    ToyTrainGuy

    #1
    ToyTrainGuy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    In this modern world of distracted drivers driving with their knees, while their thumbs are playing with their phone & their eyes are not on the road, I'm thinking of adding an extra 3rd-brakelight. I've been rear-ended before, & it isn't fun.

    The easiest thing would be something like this, but the height of the hitch-receiver on a stock 'Taco isn't the best.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-LED-Brak...ver-/121063769602?hash=item1c2ff68602&vxp=mtr




    Then another idea is the Tailgate Lightbar like this...
    http://www.ledunderbody.com/49in-Compact-Truck-Red-LED-TailGate-Light-Bar-with-Reverse-Lights.aspx

    The trouble is our access hole for lowering the spare tire is smack in the middle. I have heard of owners using Velcro to attach the solid bar, so that it can be removed to get to the spare, but that seems like you'd be constantly trying to get both sides to stay stuck with temperature changes. I wonder if anyone makes a split-style light bar that leaves access for the spare hole in the center.
    Another concern is every week I am sweeping a lot of dirt & debri out of the bed. Where the junk doesn't quite make it to the tailgate, it drops directly down where the Lightbar would be..

    Any thoughts on this, or better ideas?

    Thanks..
     
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    ToyTrainGuy, Jun 22, 2015
    #1
  2. Jun 22, 2015 at 2:03 PM
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    Ostrichsak

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    Ostrichsak Don't taze me bro!

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    Ostrichsak, Jun 22, 2015
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  3. Jun 22, 2015 at 2:07 PM
    #3
    ToyTrainGuy

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    ToyTrainGuy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that constructive reply, it helps a lot....
     
    ToyTrainGuy, Jun 22, 2015
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  4. Jun 22, 2015 at 2:13 PM
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    ninjaexplosion

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    ninjaexplosion Well-Known Member

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    dont we already have a 3rd brake light above our rear window??
     
    ninjaexplosion, Jun 22, 2015
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  5. Jun 22, 2015 at 2:59 PM
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    Yoda's TRD

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    Yoda's TRD Well-Known Member

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    Here's a thought:

    Bully makes an LED 3rd brake light that's built into their Hitch step, which goes into your trailer hitch receiver.

    Even if they don't see the additional light, they will hit your step instead of your truck

    Comes in either black or chrome

    Just a thought
    $81 Bully BBS-1104L Black Bull Series Steel Universal Fit Truck LED Brake Light Hitch Step Fits 1.25" and 2" Hitch Receivers for Trucks from Chevy (Chevrolet), Ford, Toyota, GMC, Dodge RAM, Jeep
    http://www.amazon.com/Bully-BBS-1104L-Black-Series-Hitch/dp/B006PPM6CO
     
    Yoda's TRD, Jun 22, 2015
    #5
  6. Jun 22, 2015 at 3:00 PM
    #6
    Yoda's TRD

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    Yoda's TRD Well-Known Member

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    Yoda's TRD, Jun 22, 2015
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  7. Jun 23, 2015 at 5:08 AM
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    ToyTrainGuy

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    ToyTrainGuy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for all the replies.

    Yes, "ninjaexplosion" we do have a 3rd brakelight already in place, but not really in an ideal location because of the bed, it's too bad the 'Yota could not have put that light where the tailgate release handle is, as that would be closer to eye level for most drivers. Most of the drivers following a pickup are looking at the tailgate & rear of the truck, not at the cab roof, 6 feet forward.

    Yes, "yoda TRD" I have thought about the LED step bumper & the light that is located in the hitch receiver but actually they seem too low in height for a stock height truck, so I thought the Light bar might work best for catching someone's eye. Yes, "basetaco" are right if they are staring at the phone, nothing will help, but I still think that any extra notice that "HEY! I'M Stopping, light" might help.

    I guess the solution is if I want a Light Bar, either use two separate ones on either side of the spare access hole in the center, or the Velcro strip idea for a solid one.
     
    ToyTrainGuy, Jun 23, 2015
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  8. Jun 23, 2015 at 5:16 AM
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    overload

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    overload Active Member

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    I have the single Bully light that goes into the hitch receiver. Its not a lot of additional light, but it gives me a little more peace of mind knowing that in theory I'm a little more visible.
     
    overload, Jun 23, 2015
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  9. Jun 23, 2015 at 5:39 AM
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    Mpham

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    Mpham Well-Known Member

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    Mpham, Jun 23, 2015
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  10. Jun 23, 2015 at 8:12 AM
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    Just Dandee

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    Just Dandee Well-Known Member

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    I saw this thread yesterday and ironically this morning I saw two different vehicles using a pulsing 4th brake light. The pulse is what got my attention. One was on a Z below the bumper still very visible the other a Dodge p/u that had something that looked like this on its tailgate:

    http://www.kinequip.com/kfa-3bl01.h...NeNUbppOYtP8aoF8ctbzNyx8V2V3pfIZU-xoCL9zw_wcB

    I guess I would say that if you do it the pulse makes a difference.
     
    Just Dandee, Jun 23, 2015
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  11. Jun 23, 2015 at 11:30 AM
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    OCNutty

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    OCNutty Well-Known Member

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    OCNutty, Jun 23, 2015
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  12. Jun 23, 2015 at 11:44 AM
    #12
    Wyoming09

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    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    More lights can never hurt .

    Then some people no matter how many lights are on the back of the vehicle will still manage to hit the back of your vehicle.

    I myself like the thought of putting them inside the tail gate wired into the brake light circuit in the most easiest location .

    If the wires in the 4 Runner hatches last a good many years I don`t see that as a problem.
     
    Wyoming09, Jun 23, 2015
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  13. Jun 25, 2015 at 3:05 AM
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    ToyTrainGuy

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    ToyTrainGuy [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for all the replies.

    I have seen the pulsing-lights that "Just Dandee" suggested mostly on motorcycles & they really do get your attention.

    I have three other cars that are over 40 years old including one that is 75 years old, the original tail / brake lights on those cars were small & hardly noticeable at all. I recently added one of these light-bars to each of those, which is what got me thinking of the 'Taco.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Trunk-Ta...cks-/131455485665?hash=item1e9b5b86e1&vxp=mtr

    In addition to distracted drivers, we also have other factors for lowered visibility such as dusk / dawn, fog, rain, etc. As "Wyoming09" said, "more lights can never hurt"...
     
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    ToyTrainGuy, Jun 25, 2015
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  14. Jun 25, 2015 at 3:33 AM
    #14
    bldegle2

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    bldegle2 OldPhart

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    Just a heads up, that third light you referenced is available at Harbor Freight for like $9.95, the $51 price on the Ebay link is a ripoff....I use one, have been for years, got the third brake light on top of the camper shell...I figure between the third brake light, the trailer hitch light and the regular brake lights, red dominates out the rear....


    Linkee and only $8.99 The only difference is HF is 12 LEDS, the one on Ebay is 16 LEDS...both get the JOB done....
     
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    bldegle2, Jun 25, 2015
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  15. Jun 25, 2015 at 9:28 AM
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    g8rzguy78

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    g8rzguy78 Well-Known Member

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    g8rzguy78, Jun 25, 2015
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  16. Jun 26, 2015 at 5:45 PM
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    Yoda's TRD

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    Yoda's TRD Well-Known Member

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    I seem to remember a license plate frame that had a brake light built in to it ...
     
    Yoda's TRD, Jun 26, 2015
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  17. Jun 26, 2015 at 6:10 PM
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    MDB Taco

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    MDB Taco Well-Known Member

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    I have one of those square hitch lights. I think it was like $10 at Walmart or something. I haven't used it in a while though, as I just left the tow hitch in last time I used it, which was a long while ago.
     
    MDB Taco, Jun 26, 2015
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  18. Jun 27, 2015 at 5:19 AM
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    Tac0NooB

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    Tac0NooB Member

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    Tac0NooB, Jun 27, 2015
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  19. Aug 30, 2016 at 2:25 PM
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    asuchemist

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    asuchemist My Hamstrings Hurt!

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    Old thread but I just bought this today and the pin and clip didn't fit. Wasn't long enough? Where you able to get a longer pin?
     
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    asuchemist, Aug 30, 2016
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  20. Aug 30, 2016 at 2:49 PM
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    Wyoming09

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    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    How long of a pin do you need ??

    Quite easy to make your own
     
    Wyoming09, Aug 30, 2016
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Products Discussed in

Bully BBS-1104L Black Bull Series Steel Universal Fit Truck LED Brake Light Hitch Step Fits 1.25" and 2" Hitch Receivers for Trucks from Chevy (Chevrolet), Ford, Toyota, GMC, Dodge RAM, Jeep
$80.54
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