Cost is the culprit. Single bulb costs a lot less than many little ones.

 

Ummm...there are numerous studies. Not to be rude, but you could look for the links yourself. This is why most higher end vehicles have gone with them. Plus, LEDs last much, much longer. Therefore, replacement cost isn't an issue. You would probably sell or trade your vehicle before the LEDs would burn out.

 

Yeah, I tried, but I must not be so good on Google as I thought. Could you post a link?

EDIT: I found one. However, it lacks details and has questionable credibility.

 

Here's a link to a study done by SAE, but it doesn't include the article.

http://www.sae.org/technical/papers/2002-01-0379

I'm glad that they are offering these now, but I much prefer my home made LED 3rd brake light. Plus it's much cheaper too

LED 3rd Brake Light for 3rd Gen

I'll have to post some more recent pictures... I sanded down the inside of the lense so that it was completely smooth. The light is no longer distorted.

 

I ordered them since I already have the LED tails. And like 5-spd for life said, I was skeptical about the sealing as well, but with some time, creativity, paint, silicone, and some rubber, I might be able to do a write up on improving these LED 3rd brake lights. I will post before and after pics. Stay tuned!

P.S. I ordered the red housing.

 

Alright, so who is going to get them and see how they work with the ABS system?

Lets get them tried with and without LED tails.

Looks like you can take the outer lens off and black out the housing for the LED, leaving the LEDs and LED reflectors silver like they come. Then put the outer lens back on and seal it with a small bead of clear silicone. This would match the black headlights and tails like some of us have. I cant wait to see someones.

 

looks like there is one more thing i have to add. already bought the LED tails but havnt installed them yet. might as well buy this too.

 

Good call on getting the LED tails, they are one of the best mods for the 3rd Gen IMO. Not only do they look good, but they are safer and might prevent you from getting rear ended some day.

 

check it out a guy over on toyota-4runner.org bought a clear 3rd brake light.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=44096

i like it but would look better if the clear piece was red.

 

x2. I prefer the red lense too. The clear looks to "rice" IMO.

 

they sell red too, i would probably buy smoke though but with the way the clear looks, it would probably come off looking more brown then smoked

 

wow, that looks like crap! i agree, "smoke" rarely looks the way it's supposed to on these products. looks like red is the only way to go then.

 

I think it would look better if he had a spoiler..

 

More pics, this time of the smoked one:

 

Hi Guys,
Long time no post for me.. but here's the dealio.. I bought this from ebay.. just couldn't help myself thinking I can finally match the 3rd tail light w/ my led tail lights.. I didn't know what to expect.. just saw the the pics from this post. I ended up getting the Red ones. Here's what to expect...

1) You have to splice the wires.. not snap on. The unit I got came w/ 2 wires hanging out of it. At first, I thought that it would be a direct snap on.. but o'well... I had to do what I had to do.

2) The unit does not come w/ the foam that keeps water out. When you install it.. you'll have a half a millimeter gap. At first I was going to use the silicon to cover up. but that mean it'll have contact w/ my truck.

What I ended up doing was taking out the foam from my old 3rd brake light unit. You have to be careful. Just peel it off slowly. It took me a good 10mins to peel it entirely. Then I just put it on the new unit. The fit was not 100%.. but it did the job by sealing the top/side/bottom side.

When I screwed it on.. i took a look.. no more gap. I was veeery happy at that since its going to rain tomorrow. if rain do seep into the gap.. i'll have to take it out and adjust the foam again.. but it should hold out the water.

As far as the look? OMFG.. its sooooooo fracking sweet... especially when you press the brake.. Its night time now, I took a few pics.. not sure if it'll show you how great this led is.. but its nice. I told my gf to pump the brake really fast.. and the reaction from all lights were in sync and bright might I add. Yes, another fine investment.

I would definitely go w/ the red on this one, but then again, its my opinion. Here's my pics..

 

I forgot to add that I'll take more pics tomrrow during the day time, but if it pours out.. then the pics might have to wait until Monday. Someone mentioned bout the ABS light.. I started my car.. drove around.. no abs light turn on. I know some folks had issue w/ the abs light turning on after they install the led tails. but I only drove around the block.. I'll drive it more tmorrow.

I recommend people that already got the led tails to get this 3rd.. but I would suggest to the manufacturer to add the foam piece to the back.. prob not going to happen, but don't hurt to ask.

You guys probably know this, but yes, those w/ the rear spoiler need to be off to take out the 3rd brake..I only took out 2 screws from one side to get the 3rd tail light to come out.. I had to invest $1 to get the exact 'star' screw... if you're wondering its 'Star' #25

If anyone has any questions, let me know..

 

that is what ive been waiting for someone to buy the red one. it looks awesome, i will definantly be purchasing one. because i bought the LED tails as well, unfortunatly still have not recieved them, but i bought them from burtman so i think it will be alright. thanks for the pics MOTA, but now lets see some day shots of the brakes pressed.

 

Mota, the red looks awesome! Thanks for posting some pics!

 

I just ordered the clear third brake light and a universal hood scoop should be here next week I'll have pics

 

Mota - Can you insert a link the the exact light you bought and where?