Third brake light burnt out

[MichEnvoyGuy]

My 2002's third (upper) brake light finally burnt out, I just noticed it. Its the tube (2002 design).

Does anybody have the part number for the new (2003+) style third brake light? Since compnine is down, it really kills my quest for part numbers anymore...lol.

Also, is the new style third brake light plug n'play? Or are there some altercations I would need to do for it to fit, etc.?

 

[Sparky]

Personally, when mine goes dead I'm going to probably go with the Avalanche LED 3rd brake light. The LEDs go the whole length instead of just the center.

I thought 02 and 03 both had the neon, then 04+ was the LED one?

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

Personally, when mine goes dead I'm going to probably go with the Avalanche LED 3rd brake light. The LEDs go the whole length instead of just the center.

I thought 02 and 03 both had the neon, then 04+ was the LED one?

..And I always thought just the 02's had the neon. But it doesnt really matter, I just looked up the price of a replacement third brake light and

Rock has it listed for $111.79, and a Dorman replacement on ebay is only going for a few bucks cheaper!! What the heck is the stupid thing made out of?!?! It looks to be the newer design too (non-tube). Wonder if my local salvage yard has any...

 

[willn513]

..And I always thought just the 02's had the neon. But it doesnt really matter, I just looked up the price of a replacement third brake light and

Rock has it listed for $111.79, and a Dorman replacement on ebay is only going for a few bucks cheaper!! What the heck is the stupid thing made out of?!?! It looks to be the newer design too (non-tube). Wonder if my local salvage yard has any...

I had to replace mine on my 2002 a few years ago and I wasn't even able to find the tube style fluorescent to replace it with. I ended up getting the new style that were on 2004 and Up. I can't remember the exact cost but I think it was around $100. If I had to go back and do it again, I would definitely get the Avalanche LED one. The wiring harnesses DON'T match up, but all you have to do is cut them off and splice the wires together. It's super easy and looks way better...

Salvage yard isn't a bad idea either, now that these things have been around awhile; I couldn't find one when I did mine... Like 2004 or 2005...

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

I had to replace mine on my 2002 a few years ago and I wasn't even able to find the tube style fluorescent to replace it with. I ended up getting the new style that were on 2004 and Up. I can't remember the exact cost but I think it was around $100. If I had to go back and do it again, I would definitely get the Avalanche LED one. The wiring harnesses DON'T match up, but all you have to do is cut them off and splice the wires together. It's super easy and looks way better...

Salvage yard isn't a bad idea either, now that these things have been around awhile; I couldn't find one when I did mine... Like 2004 or 2005...

I just called 5 local salvage yards - nothing

So whats up with this avalanche LED? Is it a direct fit onto our trucks? I have no problem with the wiring harness, Im a soldering master of sorts

EDIT: I just checked the Avalanche light and its the same price as the Envoy one almost. $&*@!$

 

[willn513]

Yes it is the exact same size and fits perfectly. Just have to cut the harness and splice the wires. Looks way better.

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

Well car-part.com let me down for once...every place I called that it said had one in stock was out!!

Good news is, there's a place in Detroit and Im talking the armpit of Detroit - a really really bad neighborhood - that has a shelf full of them for $70/ea.

I guess its worth risking my life, right? lol

 

[jham]

I would do the avalanche 3rd brake light mod GMTNation - Installing an Avalanche LED 3rd Brake light with optional paint mod

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

I would do the avalanche 3rd brake light mod GMTNation - Installing an Avalanche LED 3rd Brake light with optional paint mod

It sounds and looks awesome but I cant find one of those either! On ebay they are actually the same exact price as an Envoy one (~$110-$180). I can get a used Envoy one locally for $70.

 

[Blckshdw]

It sounds and looks awesome but I cant find one of those either! On ebay they are actually the same exact price as an Envoy one (~$110-$180). I can get a used Envoy one locally for $70.

Also, keep in mind the time of year... All the good deals are the first ones to go. I bought mine from Ebay seller DotcomRacing, it was $45 with $15 shipping. I just checked their store, and they are out of stock at the moment. Probably after the holiday, they'll get restocked and you can get one for a better price than the rest of the stuff that's out there.

Or if you want, you could shoot them an email and ask when they expect to get new stock in, so you can order one (if you decide to go that route)

 

[Wooluf1952]

I just looked on Ebay there is one (Avalanche LED 3rd brake light) for $73 with shipping.

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

Ok so I cant take the peer pressure...lol!!

So how do you go about painting it? I want mine to be dark like the one in the how-to. What kind of paint would I use?

Im going to zap that ebay guy an email. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Blckshdw]

Ok so I cant take the peer pressure...lol!!

So how do you go about painting it? I want mine to be dark like the one in the how-to. What kind of paint would I use?

Im going to zap that ebay guy an email. Thanks for the tip.

I had a can of Krylon Fusion for plastics (gloss black) from painting my bowtie, that's what I used. I think your first question should be answered in the how to thread

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

I had a can of Krylon Fusion for plastics (gloss black) from painting my bowtie, that's what I used. I think your first question should be answered in the how to thread

Sorry, I just breezed over it.

I wrote that ebay seller asking him when the avalanche LED third brake light bars would be available again. Any other sources?

I suppose I could wait a while, whats the rush, I hope I dont get a ticket or rear-ended in the meanwhile!!

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

Theres two on ebay right now, one is $79.95 with free ship...however, there is another one by the same seller that is $15 more because it has chrome on it.

The pictures look the same to me between the two.

If I dont hear back from that ebay seller by Thursday, Im going to buy 1. Should I just buy the cheaper one that is non-chrome? I dont understand what is chrome?
Cheap one:
Putco LED Third Brake Light Replacement 900218 (010536902181) | eBay

$15 more:
Putco LED Third Brake Light Replacement 930218 (010536903188) | eBay

EDIT: I just re-read it (have a problem with that, lol) and see that the $15 more unit has a chrome housing. I could care less about the housing. ((Smacks forehead)).

 

[Blckshdw]

You better get a handle on that reading thing. It's kinda important around here

But yeah, if you intend to paint it, then the color/tint of the lens and reflector won't matter.

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

Also, keep in mind the time of year... All the good deals are the first ones to go. I bought mine from Ebay seller DotcomRacing, it was $45 with $15 shipping. I just checked their store, and they are out of stock at the moment. Probably after the holiday, they'll get restocked and you can get one for a better price than the rest of the stuff that's out there.

Or if you want, you could shoot them an email and ask when they expect to get new stock in, so you can order one (if you decide to go that route)

FWIW, they emailed me back - they will have them available on 1-15-12

 

[Wooluf1952]

Also, remember when you're done, we like pictures.

No pix, it didn't happen.

 

[MichEnvoyGuy]

I replaced the CHMSL today!! It wasnt so bad, except I had to dremel off some of the black trim to get the new light to fit. At least 1/8". Anyway, it looks really nice and Im pleased with the install!

Old burnt out OEM neon light bar with the red faded lens:

New Dorman LED light bar. Its very bright, looks nice and new, Im def. impressed!!

Im going to admit, I screwed up off the bat but quickly realized my mistake. I disconnected the old CHMSL connector up in the headliner, and pulled the old wire through. Bad bad young grasshopper!!! I couldnt get the new CHMSL wiring through the grommet hole. It took about 1 minute and a dimly lit light bulb to flash above my head until I realized I should push through the connector in the headliner, connect it, then pull it back through Success!

The light wouldnt fit at first at all. Definitely needed to shave off 1/8" off each corner. Thankful for my dremel...lol. Thanks for all of your help!!

 

[UMEXT]

Personally, when mine goes dead I'm going to probably go with the Avalanche LED 3rd brake light. The LEDs go the whole length instead of just the center.

I thought 02 and 03 both had the neon, then 04+ was the LED one?

Xenon, not neon. If you think there's no difference, go to any movie theater and ask them what wattage neon bulb they have in their projectors.