Looks like all 2006 Ram 3500's on the lots have 3 small safety lights below the tailgate just above the rear license plate. Earlier models and some 2006 models I've seen on the street have a huge light bar mounted in the middle of the tailgate. What determines which lights are mounted?

 

It's a dulley thing. The 3500 single wheel models don't have those lights. I guess they are just to make the truck look more big rig, so I suspect the placement is purely what looks best. I know the dual wheel flares have little red lights on them too. I'd guess that some are add-ons and the small ones you saw were factory but that is just a wild guess.

 

saltsman, Thanks for the reply! I think the lights are mandated by law for one tons - I was curious as to why some '06 Rams have the big bar in the center of the tailgate, while other '06 Rams have the bar above the license plate - maybe a mid-year design change at the factory?

 

Any vehicle of a certain width has to have 5 red clearance lights on the back. Three in the middle and one as close to the outer edges as possible. If you only had the regular tail lights, someone passing you at night might run into you. It has nothing to do with the capacity of the truck (1 ton as opposed to 1/2 or 3/4 ton). Single wheeled 1 tons don't need any extra lights on the rear.