Replacement Third Brake Light Assembly 1994 Explorer

[KEN's Exploder]

Any ideas to repair the lens for the third brake light on a 1994 Explorer. It is the small rectangular light on the rear tailgate 23 years of weather and heat from the two bulbs are slowly damaging the plastic lens. I understand the same light also was used in an Aerostar van as well but no longer available. The housing is in good shape but the red lens is deteriorating and will likely need to be replaced in the next few years. Trying to keep ahead of the game. Plan to use 2 LEDs to reduce the heat on the plastic lens. Found a new one in a dealership for $272.08. Think I can come up with a cheaper option (LOL).

 

[mgmgmg]

Junk yard

 

[KEN's Exploder]

Junk Yard, Been there, done that... only one first generation Explorer where I've been. It was missing the entire rear gate already. I'll continue to look there.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Mine was the same way. I really botched my repair but if you're careful you can do a better job. Look on eBay for some 5050 red LED panels. Also get yourself some clear epoxy (I used super glue and regret it). Test the LED panels before installing, leave them on for an hour or so just to burn them in and see if there's any heat issues. A couple of LEDs on my panels died or flicker when the light comes on but it still looks good. Then epoxy them right to the lens and fill any cracks.

I prefer the LED panels to using LED bulbs. The issue is, you'll have to pry the red lens off the housing. It will snap, crackle and pop but it will come off and you can silicone it back on. I used JB Weld to put mine back together and regret that now that some of the LEDs are dead.

 

[Rhett]

I went thru this (trying to find a replacement 3rd brake light lens) a few months ago, since mine is hazed and has two tiny hairline cracks in it.

LMC Truck does /not/ have the 3rd brake light lens listed, but I did not call them. That might be the only option outside of junkyard or custom fab job.

I get my LED's from deautokey.com as they stand by their lights and are typically better quality LED's than what you'd get from superbrightleds.com or some place like that.

 

[Jason94sport]

I got mine from Ebay. Not new but it works fine.

 

[KEN's Exploder]

Found one with a few hairline cracks in the junkyard from a 93 Sport - $6.95. Also found one on a mid 90s Aerostar but it was in worse shape than my original.