Third Brake Light - Like Factory Replacement

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98chevy2500SS

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I have looked around on websites and cannot seem to find a third brake for my truck that looks factory. I don't want to go the LED route and want my truck to look factory as possible when it comes to headlights, tail lights, etc. as the factory did a great job on the look. My third brake light's cargo lenses are getting yellow and would like to buy a new cover for the third brake light. Can anyone point my in the right route to find one of these covers that are like OEM? I prefer not through Ebay. Would Advance Auto or O'Reilly have one? I know they do sell OE-like tail lights and headlights by TYC, but I can't seem to find a third brake light assembly or cover that looks factory, or else all I find on websites is the LED brake lights, which I don't want.
 

df2x4

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Both factory lenses (extended cab and standard/crew cab) are discontinued unfortunately. You're either going to have to go LED or grab a used lens from a salvage yard or eBay. There's a couple complete extended cab assemblies up on eBay for around $100, but the photos in the listings aren't great, and that's a ton of money if you just need the lens. Here's a link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-94-95-98...ash=item3d40dc05ac:g:yLYAAOSw4CFYtdJz&vxp=mtr

I ended up going with the smoked Anzo 3rd brake light, wasn't my first choice but it grew on me. The installation was a breeze too, completely plug and play unlike some of the eBay/Amazon cheapo units. They have a smoked version and a non-smoked.

https://www.amazon.com/AnzoUSA-531065-Smoke-Chevrolet-Silverado/dp/B007VXCYPI

https://www.amazon.com/531064-Chrome-Third-Brake-Silverado/dp/B007VXCYOO

If you can deal with the looks of those but really want to keep the factory housing, IPCW makes replacement lenses. They're not like the OEM style though, and they have no red so you'll have to either use red coated bulbs or red LEDs (which are great at screwing these housings up and roasting 20A fuses, ask me how I know) to get the brake section to light up properly. Smoked or non-smoked.

https://www.amazon.com/IPCW-CW3-312S-Smoke-Brake-Light/dp/B000NZSNZQ

https://www.amazon.com/IPCW-CW3-312-Clear-Brake-Light/dp/B000NZSNYC

EDIT - Actually, I'd probably disregard the IPCW lenses if I were you. I tried one and it fit great on my regular cab, which leads me to believe it probably won't fit the extended cab housings very well.
 
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someotherguy

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If you get your original to clean up with wet sanding/polishing, be sure to clearcoat it afterwards so it will last. Otherwise it will haze up again pretty soon.

A while back LMC still had the lenses, did they sell out?

And to reiterate - extended cab lens is different from regular/crew cab. They do not interchange. And the IPCW lens I got a while back is not the extended cab lens. (still have one of the "all clear" ones sitting in a box, brand new)

Richard
 

df2x4

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A while back LMC still had the lenses, did they sell out?

Yeah, they're all out unfortunately.

Thanks for confirming that the IPCW lenses don't fit extended cab housings.

Also just to clarify, those Anzo LED units I linked earlier SEEM to be a happy medium between the extended cab and std/crew cab housings, so they will fit both. It seemed to screw in a little differently than my factory housing on my std cab, but it sealed up and looks just fine.
 

chipskittles

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I recommend the Anzo LED unit as well but if you go this route you may have to cut one of the wires to get it to completely behave. The wire I had to cut makes the cargo light come on only with the driver door open. I would rather it just work with the switch all the time door open or not so I happily cut the wire.
 

df2x4

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I recommend the Anzo LED unit as well but if you go this route you may have to cut one of the wires to get it to completely behave. The wire I had to cut makes the cargo light come on only with the driver door open. I would rather it just work with the switch all the time door open or not so I happily cut the wire.

Understandable that you would want to do what you did, but what you're describing is how they're supposed to behave from the factory. If the interior lights aren't on, the cargo lights won't come on. I think the circuit was designed that way as a safety feature so you don't accidentally leave them on while driving down the road.
 

chipskittles

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Understandable that you would want to do what you did, but what you're describing is how they're supposed to behave from the factory. If the interior lights aren't on, the cargo lights won't come on. I think the circuit was designed that way as a safety feature so you don't accidentally leave them on while driving down the road.
I understand, and understand why they came this way from the factory. I don't leave switches on ever so I think i'll be ok lol
 

98chevy2500SS

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I will do that 2000 grit sand paper trick w/ rubbing compound and get some clear on them. Thanks so much guys! This will actually save me money. :D
 
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