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3rd brake light

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by dwilliams81, Sep 9, 2022.

  1. Sep 9, 2022 at 7:43 PM
    #1
    dwilliams81

    dwilliams81 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2012 Tacoma. I’m looking to replace my 2012 third brake light to aftermarket not many good videos but looks fairly self explanatory looks to be 2 t-20 torx bits then pry off old adhesive and replace with aftermarket. I’ve seen some posts that indicate taking off headliner but I don’t see why you would have too. Any advice would be much appreciated.
     
  2. Sep 9, 2022 at 7:59 PM
    #2
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    The only reason you would need to get under the headliner is if you were intalling one that had bed lights to run the extra wires, if you are just installing one that operates as a brake light only it's as simple as the 2 screws, 2 wires, and making sure it seals again.
     
  3. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:02 PM
    #3
    dwilliams81

    dwilliams81 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    @Dm93 the red lens that pops off is there a smoked replacement for that without having to replace the whole light? Lens only replacement?
     
  4. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:11 PM
    #4
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    That I do not know, I've never had mine off but on most 3rd brake lights the lens is either glued or plastic welded to the light/reflector assembly.
     
  5. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:15 PM
    #5
    dwilliams81

    dwilliams81 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    @Dm93 once toy remove those 2 torx bits the red lens falls off while everything else stays (housing) I might smoke the lens myself as I don’t wanna replace the whole unit as I fear it would cause leaks etc.
     
  6. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:26 PM
    #6
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    Interesting, I've never had the need to remove mine so I wasn't sure how they are put together.
     
  7. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:26 PM
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    super_white

    super_white Well-Known Member

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  8. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:33 PM
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    Minny Taco

    Minny Taco For the Horde!

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    I replaced mine with a smoked Amazon light. Super easy but you'll have to scrape off the old gasket. I used an OEM gasket because that's the part that keeps water out, so kind of important.
     
  9. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:44 PM
    #9
    zero4

    zero4 Metal Cutter

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    You guys are lucky, on a 1st gen you have to drop the headliner to unbolt the 3rd brake light housing if you ever need to change it for some reason.

    Yes there is. They have clear & smoked. I have a clear one on my 1st gen. But they're in Canada so after shipping it gets kind of expensive. Not that it matters but the 1st gen ones was molded off an OEM lens so it says Toyota on it. For the second gen the photo they show doesn't say Toyota on it, not sure if an OEM does but again whatever.

    https://klearz.com/05-15_tacoma_3rd_brake_light

    20220909_203235.jpg


    I originally wanted a clear one but stupid me last minute bought smoked instead. I could of sworn when I bought it they listed smoked & light smoked and I bought light smoked. But they don't show light smoked anymore. Maybe it's a custom option now as they show custom in the drop down. Didn't like it on my truck so I sold it & bought clear which I should've done in the first place. :facepalm:
    (I pretty sure this was light smoked or maybe I'm remembering wrong, it was a while ago)
    20180910_182004.jpg

    EDIT: Found my FS post, yup that was light smoked. Here's another photo of it shown on the light housing.
    20180922_181257.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2022
    kevinRR likes this.
  10. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:52 PM
    #10
    dwilliams81

    dwilliams81 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    @zero4 do you recall shipping price?
     
  11. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:53 PM
    #11
    zero4

    zero4 Metal Cutter

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    I think I paid like $60 something for it total Was $53. But that was back in 2018.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2022
  12. Sep 9, 2022 at 8:58 PM
    #12
    zero4

    zero4 Metal Cutter

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    @dwilliams81 I just logged in & checked. Looks like their shipping prices didn't go up. Cheapest option is $18 for UPS.

    Edit: I paid $13 shipping.
     

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