Ultimate 3rd Brake Light mod

Figured this would be ok in the 3RD gen forum since it is off a 3rd gen.
I'm at it again... Hacking, modding, and improving stuff on the truck.
This time it's the 3rd brake light. But why mess with it?!
First reason; the cargo lamp is a JOKE. My iPhone puts out better light...seriously!
Second; I want to brighten up the Red brake light. OEM is O.K..but it can definitely be brighter
Third; Aesthetics. The all clear looks really cheap to me. I will be vinyl wrapping my roof matte black, so I want something to blend in better and look more stealthy.

Currently, there are NO aftermarket replacements, and even if there are..I doubt they would meet my lighting expectations. So I set off to make my own super bright cargo lamp/3rd brake light. Hope you enjoy.
P.S. I bet this is the first 3rd gen brake light cut open and modified in the world. Calling it now!!

Cut open:
Boards are made by HELLA.
4 red brake Diodes, and 2 white for the cargo lamp. All behind a optic diffuser.


Optics removed:


Next, it is smoked for a stealth look, and then marked out for the cargo lamp sections. So I will not loose any light output. This is FORM AND FUNCTION.


These are the LED Boards I will be using. 5730 SMD's 36 per side. So 72 TOTAL!
Sure beats the stock TWO. Left is OEM, middle is masked off, and right is painted. Keeping with the all blacked out theme.


Installed:
I angled them for a few reasons; I just didn't have enough room to lay 2 side by side and also I'm hoping the angles of the board will disperse the light out better through the lens.


Behind the Lens. You can barely make out the yellow LED's..but whatever.


Will looks sweet once the roof is black;


I am still working on the RED BRAKE section..stay tuned!

Now the biggest question: HOW BRIGHT IS IT?!!

Can you tell which one is stock?




Stock output:


Enhanced cargo light:





UPDATE:
testing RED brake bars



162 LEDS total!


custom board


Changed up the middle for red tint=more intensity


BRIGHT



VS STOCK



INSTALLED PICS:





VERSION 2.0

 

sweet.....thats bright! Perfect remedy for idiots that drive behind you with their highbeams on, lol

 

Or if I need to find something in the bed. I guess I could hook these up to reverse too...

 

Looks awesome! Great work ..again! Can you come to Florida and mod all of my lights, pretty please?

Do you have any before/after of the red brake light portion?

 

Thanks. Been to FL once and I can't take the humidity haha.
I will have the red brake done tomorrow, just waiting on a few more parts

 

You just don't stop. Well done.

Post the parts list when you're all wrapped up, pretty please.

 

+1 to this!

 

Damn @mesojdm you don't know how to stop huh!
cant wait to see how these look installed and matched with your taillights (specifically the pros )

 

Will do. They aren't exactly PnP..but you can get creative

CAN'T STOP WONT STOP until every single light in my truck is upgraded to a brighter LED.
They should match the Blacked tails well..although I like the Red tint of the OR's. You can have the PROs

 

Wait...I thought that was just a tail light. It's also a cargo light???

 

Bad ass man!! Thanks for the write up. How do you remove that housing? I heard you have to drop the headliner.

 

Question: have you considered/compared the current draw of new setup vs original? I'm assuming/hoping the increase is negligible?

A buddy of mine is a Toyota mechanic and he's super anal about aftermarket LEDs being installed into these vehicles... says they constantly short, and that can result in a backfeed of current that fries half the truck's electrical system. Says they see it fairly frequently, and that's got me all paranoid.

 

That's freakin' fantastic! I've been trying to find out if anyone has fixed that weak cargo light. It's very anemic.

 

Housing is secured by 2X 10MM nuts located behind the headliner(yes, you gotta drop it)..unless you have super ninja hands.

I am not too concerned with current draw. The Cargo has a 7.5A and doubt these are running even half that. As far as backfeeding to ECU, I have not had any issues. I have been running these same LED boards for both interior dome, and map lights which have worked flawlessly for over a year. I have heard of those instances.. but remember it being from headlight LED's.

@Cpngo Yes..the stock cargo lamp is weakSOS. Not anymore.

Also, thinking about redoing it in red tint rather than smoke..hmmm

 

Yet again....cool light mods!

 

If you are worried about frying your electrical.Use a diode. It is a 1 way current limiter.Awesome Job!!!!

 

nice work man!!

 

Looks good

 

You sir, and your light mod.....

Any possibility of doing one for the SR style 3rd BL? Please!

 

Sweet mod! Cargo light is probably the one thing i keep coming back to wishing i had. Dont know what logic they use in model configurations but whoever decided dc trucks deserve a cargo light over people who prioritize bed space should be