Jeep 3rd Brake Light Install

During my aftermarket rear bumper install, I realized I needed a third brake light. Check Your state's 3rd brake light law. 

My new rear bumper. 

Maryland law states -- 

"Section 22-206(a)(1): Every motor vehicle registered in this State and sold as a new vehicle after June 1, 1967, shall be equipped with at least two stop lamps."   

I went with the Barricade Adjustable Brake Light Bracket with LED Light

3rd Brake light. 

Install Steps

This install was pretty simple once I figured out the wiring. First, I needed the factory wiring harness, which I had all ready removed from the old brake light.

Using an allen wrench to tighten the mount 

With an Allen Wrench, I removed the LED light adjustable bracket from the mount. 

3rd brake light mount

Then bolted it to the pre-drilled holes for the factory spare tire mount.  

3rd brake light and wiring harness 

Now it was time to wire up the LED light to the factory wiring harness.  I needed to cut the factory brake light wires at the plug and connect those wires to the LED wires. However, I was a little puzzled. The LED has three wires and the harness has too. 

The directions stated -- Connect the black factory wire to the white LED light wire and the white/orange factory wire to the red LED light wire. There was still the third black wire. I didn't know what to do with this wire. I was told to just secure it with heat shrink and leave it so that is what I did.

3rd brake light

I'm told by a fellow Jeeper that this is a standard STT trailer light used with this application. That is because they are inexpensive, readily available, and mount easily with the grommet. These lights have a circuit for running lights and turn signal/stop. Hence the name STT - Stop Turn Tail.

My solder set up. 

You can attach these wires with butt connectors.  I decided to solder, heat shrink, and liquid tape them together. Just like I learned when I wired up my Raxiom LED Lights

Once all the wires were connected, I inserted the LED 3rd brake light into the adjustable bracket with a firm push. Then attach the brake light bracket to the mount attached to the tailgate.

Wiring harness on the 3rd brake light. 

I had to get creative with the wires by running the wiring harness down the bracket to the hole in the tailgate. Then plugged the wires back into the brake lights. 

Lighted 3rd brake light. 

Jeep Rear Bumper Install

Barricade Trailforce HD Rear Bumper 

One of my first modifications to my Jeep was the Barricade Trailforce HD front bumper. I went with this bumper for three reasons: cost, ease of install and tow points. Once I installed the bumper, Extreme Terrain took notice and sent me the rear matching bumper in exchange for blog post on the installation.  

Jeep Momma removing factory bumper. 

Check out my first DIY install of my Front Bumper

The Jeep Wrangler JKU Barricade Rear Bumper

UPS delivering my new bumper. 

The rear bumper arrived quickly from my favorite delivery guy in the Big Brown Truck.  

Unboxing my new bumper.

The rear bumper came in a big, sturdy box, and was well wrapped with all the parts. The tire carrier arrived in another box, and again it was well wrapped. This bumper weighs 110 lbs, and the tire carrier weighs 49 pounds. 

I was concerned about the rear end of the Jeep sagging and losing clearance, so I decided to measure from my muffler and the rear axle. The good news is, once I installed all the parts, and put the spare tire back on, it did not drop anything from my measurements.

My spare tire on the factory bumper. 

Factory Bumper Removal

Step 1

The first thing I did was remove the spare tire and set it aside. 

Step 2

Then I disassembled the factory spare tire mount from the tailgate. It was very simple. All I needed was a 13 mm socket, and it came right off. The bolts were not on too tight where I couldn't get them off. 

Removal of factory spare tire mount. 

Step 3

On the inside of the tailgate is a black plastic panel where the wiring harness is housed for the brake lights. I unplugged the 3rd brake light wires from the brake lights. 

Check out my install of the Third Brake Light

Unplugging 3rd brake light.

Step 4 

Next was the removal of the factory rear bumper. It was pretty easy. First, I removed the four 15 mm bolts, two on each side. There are also two more bolts on the frame near the muffler as well.   

Jeep Momma removing factory bumper bolts. 

Step 5

Now it was time to pull off the factory rear bumper. This was a little tricky. You needed to maneuver the bumper so you could slide it out from the fenders. But it wasn't too difficult. 

Jeep Momma pulling off the factory bumper. 

Step 6

The last step I needed to complete before I was able to install my new Barricade Trailforce HD Bumper with Tire Carrier was to remove the factory tow hitch. I thought this would be pretty simple. But it wasn't. The rear bumper bolts weren't that tight, so I figured these would be pretty easy. But these bolts are very difficult to get off. So I had to get help with these bolts. 

Jeep factory tow hitch

Rear bumper removed from rear of Jeep. 

Once the factory bumper was removed, it was a pretty simple process to install the my new rear bumper. 

Barricade Rear Bumper Install

Step 1

First, I attached the mounting bracket to the inner side of the rear bumper support beam. These bolts are about 5 inches long. It was a tight space in between the muffler and the  support beam. By slightly pushing up on the cover over the muffler, the bolts will slide in.  

 

Aligning mounting brackets.

Step 2

Then I slid the L-Shaped mounting brackets into the frame rails with the nut backing up to the pre-drilled holes in the frame. All the parts fit to the existing holes all ready on the frame. There was no drilling necessary. 

Aligning mounting brackets. 

Step 3

Now it was time to slide my new rear bumper over the brackets and bolts I set into place. However, it was all hands on deck for this one. This is something that needed two people. The rear bumper weighs 110 pounds. I called in help to lift the rear bumper, as I guided it into the bolts that were attached to the support beam. It took some adjustments, but we eventually got it into place. Unfortunately -- there are no pictures of this step as my photographer had gone off to play with his friends -- my nine year old son.

Step 4 

Once the bumper was on it was time to thread the supplied bolts to the side bumper support and tighten.

Jeep Momma tightening bolts. 

Step 5

Then I crawled under the Jeep and threaded the nuts onto the bolts and began to tighten all four bolts. 

Jeep Momma installing rear bumper. 

Step 6

Now that the rear bumper was installed and secure, it was time to get the tire carrier gate installed. First make sure you pull the plastic off the post. It is also good idea to add some grease to the post for a smoother operation. To secure the gate on the post I added the cap and secured it with the allen-head bolt. 

Installing the swing gate for the tire carrier. 

Step 7

Next up was the tire carrier gate latch. I slide the latch into the end of the swing arm and secured it with the two supplied bolts and nuts. 

Tire Carrier attachement 

Step 8

Finally, the last step -- install the rear tire carrier by securing it to the rear swing arm. Then adjust it to the desired height. 

My new rear bumper.

All I had to do was loosen the bolts and slide the piece out and the tire now sits at the right height. I'm thinking I might need to get those shackles painted purple now.

Adjusting the tire carrier mount. 

 ExtremeTerrain provided the rear bumper with tire carrier for review. No additional compensation received.  All opinions are my own. 

Jeep Momma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon’s website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

50 Before 50 List

My Year of Trying New Things

We all reach milestone birthdays that make us stop and reflect. For many, turning 30, 40, or 50 sparks the question: “Am I really living the life I want?” That’s where lists like “50 Before 50” come in—bucket list-style challenges designed to help us grow, try new things, and savor everyday moments before the next big chapter begins.

For me, creating my 50 Before 50 list was about more than just checking off fun activities. A few years earlier, I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease, which forced me to rethink my health and habits. Around the same time, I discovered a new passion—Jeep off-roading adventures—that showed me the joy of pushing beyond my comfort zone. Those experiences, combined with the reality of turning 50, motivated me to create a list that blended self-growth, family connection, and adventure.

This wasn’t about climbing Everest or running marathons—it was about finding joy in simple, everyday experiences I’d somehow missed. Here’s what my journey looked like, what I learned, and my full 50 Before 50 list to inspire your own.

Highlights From My 50 Before 50 Journey

#1 Try a Slurpee

My son was shocked I’d never had a Slurpee—so we checked it off right away. He even taught me the “proper Slurpee process.” Sweet? Yes. Too sweet for me—but a memory I’ll never forget.

Getting my first Slurpee

tasting my first slurpee

#2 Bake a Cake From Scratch

For my 49th birthday, my friends surprised me with everything needed to bake a chocolate cake from scratch. I mixed the batter, made the frosting, and iced it myself. It turned out moist, rich, and delicious—a win for my first try!

mixing the cake batter

baking a cake with friends

#3 Buy My First Power Tool

As a Jeep girl, power tools were inevitable. My friends suggested an impact wrench for installing a bumper, but it was overwhelming. I swapped it for a smaller drill to start simple—baby steps!

power tool collage

#4 Try a New Vegetable (Eggplant)

Growing up, I hated veggies. As an adult, I decided to challenge myself. Eggplant Parmesan was my first try—surprisingly tasty and now a go-to.
👉 Related: Simple Clean Eating Plan 

 

#5 Donate Blood

This was one of the most meaningful items on my list. A simple way to give back and feel connected to something bigger.

Jeep Momma donating blood

#6 Girls’ Weekend Getaway

After my aunt passed away, I realized my mom, sisters, and I had never taken a trip together. So we did—a fall getaway full of laughter, shopping, and bonding. A new tradition was born.

Girls Getaway Collage

#7 Try Sushi

📸 Collage of me tasting sushi for the first time.
This one scared me, but I loved it more than I expected. Sometimes it’s the small “try something new” moments that stick the most.

#8 Visit Wells, Maine

Wells is the town my ancestors settled. Visiting gave me a sense of connection to my family’s history.

Family Homestead in Maine

#9 Try a Margarita (and Other First Drinks)

📸 Collages of margarita, martini, and cigar moments.
I tried a Bloody Mary, Margarita, Martini, and even a cigar for the first time. Not all became favorites, but the experiences were fun to share with friends.

Margarita collage

I now use Brandy in my Sangria

#10 Go Dancing

Sometimes the best way to feel young again is to let loose and dance. Simple joy—pure and perfect.

Dancing with friends

✅ The Full 50 Before 50 List

Here’s my complete list—some checked off, some still waiting. The beauty of these lists is that they evolve with you.

1. Write a book and send it to publishers - Completed in 2022

2. Try Sushi ✔

3. Bake a cake from scratch ✔

4. Get another tattoo ✔

5. Donate a pint of blood ✔

6. Go to Karaoke Night ✔

7. Visit Wells, Maine ✔

8. Earn Trail #11 at Rausch Creek ✔

9. Go on a haunted ghost tour  ✔

10. Eat a new vegetable (Eggplant) ✔

11. Drink a Bloody Mary ✔

12. Watch Gone with the Wind✔

13. Crawler Ridge Jeep Badge of Honor Trail  ✔

14. Get a Facial ✔

15. Go Dancing ✔

16. Do a good deed—Pay it forward ✔

17. Meet an online friend in person ✔

18. Add purple highlights to my hair ✔

19. Make a loaf of bread from scratch ✔

20. Pay for a stranger’s lunch ✔

21. Buy my first power tool ✔

22. Off-road at AAOA ✔ 

23. Girls’ Overnight Trip ✔

24. Go 24 hours without technology ✔

25. Buy a lottery ticket ✔

26. Start running again ✔

27. Tape change to a parking meter ✔

28. See AC/DC in concert (canceled, still waiting!)

29. Eat at Good Stuff Eatery ✔

30. Finish a novel from high school - I didn't finish one LOL

31. Grow an indoor herb garden ✔

32. Cook with truffle oil ✔

33. Smoke a cigar ✔

34. Wear my hair in a braid ✔

35. Drink a glass of Brandy ✔

36. Play a game of pool at a bar ✔

37. Take a yoga class ✔

38. Drink a Margarita ✔

39. Get a Slurpee from 7-11 ✔

40. Try a Moon Pie ✔

41. See the cherry blossoms in bloom in DC ✔

42. Wade in a Great Lake (Lake Erie) ✔

43. Learn how to tie a man’s tie ✔

44. Drink a Martini ✔

45. Try a white wine spritzer ✔

46. Lose 10 pounds ✔

47. Buy an everyday dress ✔

48. Watch a TED Talk ✔

49. Send a random gift to a friend ✔

50. Make no-bean chili ✔

FAQ: 50 Before 50 Lists

Q: What is a 50 Before 50 list?
A: A personal bucket list of 50 experiences or goals to complete before turning 50. It’s about growth, adventure, and savoring life’s moments.

Q: Do you have to finish every item?
A: Not at all! My list changed, some things dropped off, others were added. It’s more about the journey than perfection.

Q: How do you create your own?
A: Start with 10 simple goals you’ve always wanted to try. Mix everyday experiences (like trying a new food) with meaningful adventures (like travel or family traditions).

Q: Can I do a 40 Before 40 or 60 Before 60?
A: Absolutely—I’m now working on my 60 Before 60 list.

Closing Reflection

My 50 Before 50 challenge wasn’t just about celebrating a milestone—it was about rediscovering myself, connecting with family, and leaning into new adventures.

Looking back, I realize the pattern of what mattered most: family, my Jeep, facing fears, and trying new things. Those themes still guide my bucket list today.

👉 Want more inspiration? Check out my Creating my Bucket List to see how this list grew into a lifelong adventure.

Jeep Momma looking out over the Golden Gate Bridge

 

Jeep Momma on the Golden Gate Bridge

Jeep Momma exercise collage

smoke a cigar collage

Bloody Mary

Moon Pie Collage

Money on a parking meter

Drinking a martini

Tasting Sushie