2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ Z71

buellconvert

Active member
The third brake light was removed and there was easy 2 ounces of water inside

One of the three bulbs was blown out - likely from heat and moisture

The cavity behind the third brake lenses was pretty damp. I am letting it all dry out overnight

The areas for the two mount screw sure sits at a bad angle and seems to also hold water. No gasket either for the mounting screws.

The gasket for the third brake light is foam - which will absorb and hold moisture

I am using black RTV around the foam gasket area and clear 100% silicon around the lense

Terrible quality. Not pleased
Good to know, I haven't seen any moisture in mine, but I'll definitely be taking a look to see if there's an issue, we get a lot of rain here in North Carolina and I don't need that

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D45

Explorer
I don't think a new light housing would do anything

It needs a better seal

The foam gasket is very small and not very thick

Hopefully silicon and RTV does the trick
 
The third brake light was removed and there was easy 2 ounces of water inside

One of the three bulbs was blown out - likely from heat and moisture

The cavity behind the third brake lenses was pretty damp. I am letting it all dry out overnight

The areas for the two mount screw sure sits at a bad angle and seems to also hold water. No gasket either for the mounting screws.

The gasket for the third brake light is foam - which will absorb and hold moisture

I am using black RTV around the foam gasket area and clear 100% silicon around the lense

Terrible quality. Not pleased

I have a feeling that the Chevy's aren't the only ones with this problem. Same thing happened to my Dad's 2011 Ram 1500 a year or so ago
 

D45

Explorer
I never have had a problem like this on any of my previous trucks

Hopefully it's an easy and permanent fix
 

phsycle

Adventurer
Tacoma’s and Tundra’s have also had this problem. Luckily, none of mine did.

Don’t tell the Toyota boys though.
 

tennesseewj

Observer
I've definitely seen this problem on other trucks, although usually on older ones when the seal dry-rots.

RTV & silicone will work but seem like a pain to redo every bulb change. Would you be able to use the OEM seal as a template and make one out of a better material instead?

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D45

Explorer
The mounting hole design also isn't properly angled. It allows moisture to drain back towards the cab, rather than away from it.

Needs a washer gasket and silicon
 

D45

Explorer
I ordered a Injen cold air intake #EVO7103 and also bought a new throttle body that was sent off to be ported and polished

I am very impressed by the Nano filters and know I wanted an oil free filter

The EVO7103 kit uses a #X-1068-BB filter that is huge and will flow a ton of CFM

Flange Inside Dimensions 6.0 ID
Flange Height 1.00
Base Outside Diameter 8.25"
Media Height 7.20
Overall Height 8.50" +/- .150"
Top Outside Dimensions 7.00"

In fact- this is the same filter used on
2001-2004 GM Duramax diesel 6.6L V8 trucks
 

D45

Explorer
I like numbers

I believe the 5.3L is an L83 version with a 5800 max rpm

5.3L = 325 cid

Stock throttle body is 78MM?

I believe I found info that the stock TB can handle 780 CFM

325 x 5800 ÷ 3456 = 545 cfm

Pleated K&N filter material will flow 6.03 cfm of air per square inch.

By comparison, a single square inch of the highest flowing paper will allow 4.95 cfm

The freest flowing foam will flow 4.38 cfm

A 5.3L needs 715-757 cfm on the exhaust end

Straight Pipe Flow By Diameter:

5" 2200 CFM
4" 1800 CFM
3.5" 1400 CFM
3" 1200 CFM
2.5" 900 CFM
2.25" 600 CFM
 

D45

Explorer
After the TB and air intake are installed......it will be exhaust time

I decided on a Gibson #5656 Dual Sport (exits behind the rear tire) with rectangle or square black tips
  • Tubing Diameter: 3-in./2.25-in.Aluminized mandrel bent tubing.
  • Tip Description: 4in. Polished T304 Stainless Rolled Slash- Cut Tip.
  • Tip Specification: Inlet 2.25 in.; Outlet 4.0 in.; L-12 in.
  • Muffler Description: Baffled & Chambered Design, No internal Packing
  • Muffler Dimension: 4 x 9 x 18 in. Oval Body; 3.00 in. Center Inlet; 2.25 in. Dual Outlet
 

D45

Explorer
I see GM also makes a plug and play LED bed light kit

#23295943
#23295942

Whats the diff between the two?

Anyone have this? Bright enough and worth the price?
 
Last edited:

buellconvert

Active member
I don't know what the difference is between the two, might be for different bed sizes, but my truck came with it and I really like it, very bright and you can't even see it under the bed rail so it's completely hidden. I have a tonneau cover on mine and the lights work great to see under the cover, it's timed so you don't need to worry about forgetting that it's on so they don't run your battery down. All in all I am glad I have it...

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Last edited:

SoTxAg06

Active member
My 19 came stock with the light kit that mounts at the rear of the bed. It’s very handy when unloading stuff at night. I could see it being even more useful with a camper shell or bed cover.


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