Center Mount (3rd) brake light requires spoiler removal?
- Thread starter boondoggle
- Start date
boondoggle
Member
Yep. You have to remove the spoiler. I suppose you could cut the wires and splice it, but that would be more difficult and time consuming (to do properly) than just removing the spoiler and doing it right.
BoostinZX
New member
Just wanted to say thank you for making this guide! I unfortunately bought the replacement lamp from the stealership but this guide helped me replace the light in no time! The tabs on the wing stumped me before I read this, and after figuring those out, the whole process took about 15 minutes.
Not real relevant but I'll be installing a third brake light above the window where SR5's w/o the spoiler have them. I wasn't going to bother but my son-in-law picked one up for me. I guess it's a good idea and considering we have his kids in the truck a lot I think he felt pretty strongly that we should have one.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Nice to know that it is indeed an LED Bar
Tokylon
New member
IN spoiler third brake light
I took my third brake light off of my 2005 SR5 today just to get a look. 4 screws (phillips or flat) to remove from spoiler...easy so far. Sealed unit and no apparent wire connection. Do i have to open up the light to replace individual bulbs or replace the whole thing? Only a few of the bulbs are out...
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/pack472/embed/slideshow/"></iframe>
I took my third brake light off of my 2005 SR5 today just to get a look. 4 screws (phillips or flat) to remove from spoiler...easy so far. Sealed unit and no apparent wire connection. Do i have to open up the light to replace individual bulbs or replace the whole thing? Only a few of the bulbs are out...
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1110.photobucket.com/user/pack472/embed/slideshow/"></iframe>
Attachments
earthrealm
Senior Member
mine appears to have kicked the bucket......ant link on where i can buy a replacement light?
Scorpion3510
New member
I have that exact same light assembly. Did you physically open the LED unit and replace or simply cut the wire of the dead unit and splice in a new one (what I'm thinking of doing). Thanks!
Scorpion3510
New member
Anyone out there have this problem? It's quite annoying there isn't a harness connection for an easy swap.
TechWrench
Senior Member
I did this replacement on my '03 last fall. Though you could possibly remove the LED lamp without removing the spoiler, it doesn't make any sense not to. It literally takes about 5 min to remove the spoiler assy., and once you free it from the vehicle, you will see that the wire harness runs up from the hatch and through a hole in the drivers side post of the spoiler. When you pull the wire harness out of the spoiler, you will find a harness connector for the LED assy., inside. Just unplug it, then place the spoiler assy. on the trunk mat and remove the LED assy., just two screws. Install the new LED assy., pull the LED wire harness down to the drivers side spoiler post , pull it out of the hole and with the spoiler resting on the roof, reconnect the harness. Then reinstall the spoiler, and you are done. It takes less than 15 min total to accomplish the replacement.
As for those that want to try replacing the LED strip inside the high lamp fixture, you will have to cut the lens off the body of the lamp assy., because it is glue/welded closed. I know the new LED assy. isn't cheep, but look on ebay, to find a better deal on one. It is a lot easier to just swap the assy., instead of trying to repair the old one.
PS: This info pertains only to the factory spoiler. If you have one of the aftermarket ones, you are on your own.
As for those that want to try replacing the LED strip inside the high lamp fixture, you will have to cut the lens off the body of the lamp assy., because it is glue/welded closed. I know the new LED assy. isn't cheep, but look on ebay, to find a better deal on one. It is a lot easier to just swap the assy., instead of trying to repair the old one.
PS: This info pertains only to the factory spoiler. If you have one of the aftermarket ones, you are on your own.
Last edited:
Scorpion3510
New member
Here's the caveat. I have a 2005 SR5 with an aftermarket spoiler & 3rd brake light. Dealership couldn't replace it.
However, it looks EXACTLY like the one Tokylon posted. 4 Phillips head screws holding it in place and everything.
I'm hoping the spoiler attaches like an OEM spoiler and can come off as easily. Since I have the SR5, I have a dead 3rd brake light on the tailgate and a dead 3rd brake light on the spoiler.
Thanks for the help so far!
NON OEM Options
If this helps i just bought my replacement the other day from
https://www.spoilerlights.com/sl-category/toyota/
They have 3 versions available for half the price of OEM (OEM is $160 for my model)
I have a 2005 4runner Sportedition with factory spoiler so i got model# Type: SL-036034RUNNER ®
If this helps i just bought my replacement the other day from
https://www.spoilerlights.com/sl-category/toyota/
They have 3 versions available for half the price of OEM (OEM is $160 for my model)
I have a 2005 4runner Sportedition with factory spoiler so i got model# Type: SL-036034RUNNER ®
nusrat
New member
Replace CHMSL with a rear-view camera?
I ask because I'm thinking of replacing the CHMSL (factory spoiler) with a rear-view camera (full-time, not like a brake-dependent backup camera).
Probably-clueless question: I realize that the answer might vary by state, but is it a requirement to even have the high-mount light? (I mean, beyond the legalistic umbrella requirement of, "They made it that way, so you gotta keep it.") Seems to me that the tail-lights would be enough, especially since they sit so high on this vehicle.
I ask because I'm thinking of replacing the CHMSL (factory spoiler) with a rear-view camera (full-time, not like a brake-dependent backup camera).
TechWrench
Senior Member
Since the models that do not have the spoiler do have a high mount brake light in the top of the hatch, I would suspect it is a Fed safety requirement. But, I guess it would depend on the individual states inspection requirements as to whether or not they will require it to work to pass inspection. I do know that in NY, it is required. I had to replace mine last fall when it resulted in a failed inspection. Since there is no warning that the high mount led has failed, I don't know how long it had been out prior to the inspection.
nusrat
New member
should have done my homework
Definitely illegal to remove or modify it. Simple google search found this, right near the top:
U.S. Requirement on '86 Cars : High-Mounted Brake Lights Now Standard - latimes
"September 03, 1985... High-mounted brake lights have become standard equipment by federal mandate."
I was hoping to replace the light with a camera, so that I could mount the camera (internally, discreetly, unobtrusively, securely, and tidily) without having to drill into the factory spoiler. Since I want it to mount it very high, I guess I'll just have to somehow fasten it to the bottom or top of the tailgate.
Definitely illegal to remove or modify it. Simple google search found this, right near the top:
U.S. Requirement on '86 Cars : High-Mounted Brake Lights Now Standard - latimes
"September 03, 1985... High-mounted brake lights have become standard equipment by federal mandate."
I was hoping to replace the light with a camera, so that I could mount the camera (internally, discreetly, unobtrusively, securely, and tidily) without having to drill into the factory spoiler. Since I want it to mount it very high, I guess I'll just have to somehow fasten it to the bottom or top of the tailgate.
schwartzki
New member
How is the brightness on the aftermarket ones? I have a feeling it is no where near as bright as OEM.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
Just to add, for those modders who like something different. These LED strips are clear and light up red.
https://www.amazon.com/DNA-Motoring...rd_wg=qEnJ0&psc=1&refRID=N7678JYE0VB42409DGPD
https://www.amazon.com/DNA-Motoring...rd_wg=qEnJ0&psc=1&refRID=N7678JYE0VB42409DGPD
