Third brake light!

[Sticks]

Can someone help me understand why these are so cheap but you can't get backup light replacements for less that $50? I mean, the cargo lights and the backup lights are just on or off so what am I missing?

Where are you looking? The first page of an ebay search has pairs of WT21W LEDs for as low as $12.

Sponsored

 

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

Where are you looking? The first page of an ebay search has pairs of WT21W LEDs for as low as $12.

I kept digging and I think I see what the price difference is about: lumens.

The "cargo" lights are significantly lower output (measured in lumens) than "backup" lights. Which, I assume, would account for the higher price of those labeled "backup".

 

[Dad]

Yes, I understand. Maybe I wasn't clear but my question is around backup lights specifically. They don't flash so no additional resistance should be needed - but yet, they are more expensive that those labeled "cargo" lights. This is the part I don't fully understand.

Oh, sorry. I misunderstood. True, the backup lights have no need for resistors. As to why they are more expensive, I thought about maybe the circuitry is more complicated or the mount is different, but I don't see how that would account for being that much more expensive. Hopefully, another member will chime in with a better explanation.
Having just posted this, @BigClydeLittleTruck mentioned a difference in lumens. Most likely the correct reason.

 

[Dad]

Comment was other way around.

Why are these replacement LED bulbs that have the extra programming to flash on initial brake press cheaper than replacement LED bulbs for backup lights that merely need to remain on?

Not sure I've seen the incandescent bulbs blink on/off at any interval anyway.



The manual sure appears to say it's the same bulb for both.
So perhaps you could use these initial flashing ones for reverse lights - probably no big whoop to have 3 flashes on initiating backup - might even be useful to get other's attention.
And the cargo lamp while different size - is covered by the item in discussion here. 912.

EXTERIOR BULB SPECIFICATION CHART

Lamp​	Specification​	Power (Watt)​
Rear lamp, brake lamp, rear turn signal lamp and rear side marker lamp. Low series.​	WT21-7W	26.5/8.5
Rear lamp, brake lamp, and turn signal lamp. High series.​	WT21-7W	26.5/8.5
Reversing lamp.​	WT21W​	26.5​
Central high mounted cargo lamp.​	912​	12.8​

– OP reminded me that he was referring to the cargo bed lights vs. backup lights, not signal lamps, so my long-winded explanation was not needed, although, it may have helped others.
– I did not see any prices mentioned in your post, so I cannot comment on price comparison. Sorry if I missed that.
– In many states it's against the law to have more than one flashing brake light. Something about being too similar to an emergency or law enforcement vehicle.

Sponsored