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Has anyone ever modified our generation truck with 3rd brake light/cargo light from an 8th or 9th gen F-series? I think it would be nice from a safety standpoint, to give more visibility from behind when braking, and having a cargo light to boot. Thoughts or experiences?
You have 2 OEM options for a "bed" cargo light. The 73-77 bigger chrome ish pot metal housing and glass lens one. Or the 78/79 cargo lamp that is smaller and all plastic. Get it, install it, run a tie in wire from the back brake wiring to a modified red lens or red LED bulb light fixture and have at it.
That's actually a solid idea from a safety standpoint. A high-mounted 3rd brake light definitely improves visibility, especially on lifted or older trucks like these.
I've seen a few people adapt newer F-series cargo/3rd brake lights, but most end up going with a universal LED cargo/stop light bar because the OEM swap usually needs some custom mounting and wiring.
Would be cool to see someone do a clean retrofit on this generation though.
i have been told many times i am an askwhole for my opinions, but i will say it anyway..
if you are that stupid that you can not see the brake lights on the back of my truck, you deserve to hit me and then have to pay to buy me a new truck.
i said the exact thing to a state motor vehicle inspector many years ago when he demanded i modify my truck to add a third brake light. they even tried red stickering it. i told the judge the truck was "as built by ford" and it never had a third brake light.
the judge agreed with me. that was 20 + years ago, and it still does not have on.
I've added them inside the glass sealed to the rear window in a couple cars. They do jump out and grab attention. I have a cargo light I was gonna adapt, but never did .... I'll have to look at what holes are needed. I might yet find a way to add one or even two that suits me.
My '07 has the original one with cargo lamps, plus a 48" long LED strip under the tail gate in the dark, bright as brake, signal and dimmer with running lights.
Last edited by tbear853; May 18, 2026 at 12:01 AM.
I have thought about putting a small red LED strip inside the tailgate behind the handle or something inside that opening. Wiring that right into the rear brake light harness. Right now I have dual color red/white led pods under my bumper. I wired them to a trailer harness and plug them in. Backup lights and brake/turn signals.
I have thought about putting a small red LED strip inside the tailgate behind the handle or something inside that opening. ... etc ...
I thought about maybe something under the bumper, near or even mounted to the receiver, but then I'll have some lifted truck crawling up close behind me, and then one on top of the tool box makes sense.
I recall some local PDs & taxi cabs having two round trailer like lights sitting on the rear package shelf that did everything the tail, brake and signal lights did. High mount brake lights I've added to cars years ago had a shield that contacted the glass so the whole interior didn't light up with brakes or signals. I never used a exterior mounted add on high mount BL, but I recall seeing them. If adding to my truck, top corners make sense too. Backup light alone, a near the hitch mount makes good sense or even if just portable mag or wingnut mounted that plugged in to lead from a switch for temporary use. The BU / work light would be good for other uses, could even draw power from running light pole off trlr pigtail (or battery if it has a long cord).
Just thinking it out.
Magnetic mounted BUL is likely best option as no temptation to drive with it in place and it can be used many places on several vehicles or trailers.
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