hemisport5.7
Member
I’m thinking of upgrading my 3rd brake light bulbs to LED. If I remove the assembly will I have to use a sealant so it doesn’t leak? Also I’m wondering what bulbs you guys are using so I don’t throw a “bulb out” light.
3rd brake light?
- Thread starter hemisport5.7
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
jasonw
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2011
- Posts
- 1,073
- Reaction score
- 619
- Location
- South Dakota
- Ram Year
- 2025
- Engine
- 3.0L Hurricane HO
If the seal is in good shape, no need for a sealant. Some earlier revisions of the 3rd brake light had weak/smaller seals that were prone to leaking. If you are reusing the factory brake light housing, and you take it off and discover you have a questionable seal, you have a few options...
1. Buy the newer revision brake light with thicker seal. I believe the latest revision is 55372082AF (replaced 55372082AA, 55372082AB, 55372082AC, 55372082AD, 55372082AE). I got mine for less than $20.
2. Buy good weatherseal from a hardware store, clean off the old small seal, and use the good stuff instead. Again, relatively cheap.
3. Use a RTV type of sealant. This is, I believe, what FCA's TSB says for the dealerships to do with leaking 3rd brake lights. Again, relatively cheap.
4. Buy the OEM LED/Cargo Cam 3rd brake light used in some 2500s/3500s. Very expensive option, in the hundreds of dollars or more unless you catch it in a junk yard, and the cargo camera will not work without a lot extra wiring work.
5. Buy aftermarket 3rd brake light, and if it doesn't have a good seal, apply solution #2 or #3 to it.
I opted for #1 myself, but many others here have opted for the others, and all seem to work.
Speaking of bulbs, you may go through a few before finding a good set that don't set off your truck's "brake light out" warning. I'd take the advice of the guys above. I went the eBay and Amazon route, randomly trying ones with good ratings, and it took me a while to track some decent ones down.
1. Buy the newer revision brake light with thicker seal. I believe the latest revision is 55372082AF (replaced 55372082AA, 55372082AB, 55372082AC, 55372082AD, 55372082AE). I got mine for less than $20.
2. Buy good weatherseal from a hardware store, clean off the old small seal, and use the good stuff instead. Again, relatively cheap.
3. Use a RTV type of sealant. This is, I believe, what FCA's TSB says for the dealerships to do with leaking 3rd brake lights. Again, relatively cheap.
4. Buy the OEM LED/Cargo Cam 3rd brake light used in some 2500s/3500s. Very expensive option, in the hundreds of dollars or more unless you catch it in a junk yard, and the cargo camera will not work without a lot extra wiring work.
5. Buy aftermarket 3rd brake light, and if it doesn't have a good seal, apply solution #2 or #3 to it.
I opted for #1 myself, but many others here have opted for the others, and all seem to work.
Speaking of bulbs, you may go through a few before finding a good set that don't set off your truck's "brake light out" warning. I'd take the advice of the guys above. I went the eBay and Amazon route, randomly trying ones with good ratings, and it took me a while to track some decent ones down.
Last edited:
Teknoracer
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2017
- Posts
- 45
- Reaction score
- 8
- Ram Year
- 2017
- Engine
- 5.7
Headlightrevolution.com has the bulbs u need and will not give u any issues. Check out all their other awesome lighting for your truck as well!!!
