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Tailgate light bar recommendations?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by GOTSAND?18, Aug 25, 2020.

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  1. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:05 AM
    #41
    caribe makaira

    #41
    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    The 4 pin on your bumper has all that you need. The towing connector has turn & stop combined, just as per the lightbar needs...
    Problem is; it's in the outside of the bumper...
     
    caribe makaira, Sep 5, 2020
    #41
  2. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:06 AM
    #42
    TacoTruck808

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    TacoTruck808 Well-Known Member

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    I dont have the tow package so I was planning to wire it directly to the taillights.
     
    TacoTruck808, Sep 5, 2020
    #42
  3. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:08 AM
    #43
    caribe makaira

    #43
    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    Then there "should" be a hidden connector in the cab behind the driver's kick panel. It's to add a 4 pin towing harness.
     
    caribe makaira, Sep 5, 2020
    #43
  4. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:08 AM
    #44
    TacoTruck808

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    TacoTruck808 Well-Known Member

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    Short from buying a Curt wiring harness, i was hoping for a solution that wouldnt cost me another $50. If thats my only option, then I will have to do it that way.
     
    TacoTruck808, Sep 5, 2020
    #44
  5. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:11 AM
    #45
    TacoTruck808

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    TacoTruck808 Well-Known Member

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    That would work if I could find it. I guess I will take the kick panel off and see what is there. Not sure I would know if I found the correct connector even if it is there.
     
    TacoTruck808, Sep 5, 2020
    #45
  6. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:16 AM
    #46
    caribe makaira

    #46
    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    Purchase a 4 wire towing cable...I not sure how many choices of length they offer. If you can't find the pin connector in the cab, then tap the connector that has the feeds.

    upload_2020-9-5_14-16-14.jpg

    upload_2020-9-5_14-21-21.jpgupload_2020-9-5_14-27-27.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2020
    caribe makaira, Sep 5, 2020
    #46
  7. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:20 AM
    #47
    TacoTruck808

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    TacoTruck808 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! I will try to look around and see if that will work. Otherwise I may just purchase the Curt wiring harness since it is plug n play.
     
    TacoTruck808, Sep 5, 2020
    #47
  8. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:36 AM
    #48
    caribe makaira

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    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    It's most likely taped to the harness...
     
    caribe makaira, Sep 5, 2020
    #48
  9. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:38 AM
    #49
    TacoTruck808

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    TacoTruck808 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Again! You are the wiring master!
     
    TacoTruck808, Sep 5, 2020
    #49
  10. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:44 AM
    #50
    caribe makaira

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    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    Is this what you bought?
    upload_2020-9-5_14-43-33.jpg
     
    caribe makaira, Sep 5, 2020
    #50
  11. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:45 AM
    #51
    RobP62

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    RobP62 NVR20LD

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    Make sure you check your state laws. Maryland requires the center mounted third brake light be higher than the two side mounted brake lights. This disqualifies these tailgate light bars. You can save yourself some money and buy a led stop light bar and mount it to your Softopper.

    You can wire that to your drivers side brake light (light blue wire, center bulb) and a ground wire. Wire in a quick disconnect to allow you to lower/remove the topper.

    This light, wiring and connector cost me about $30 total.

    20200803_184834~2.jpg

    20200803_184729.jpg

    My cap was white. I bedlined it black. I wanted a brighter light than the OEM. This is a typical trailer light, 15 leds.

    How would you attach something like this to a Softopper you ask? There are a couple choices but a very simple one is to use construction adhesive to glue some heavy earth magnets to the back of the light and a piece of flat steel bar stock on the inside of the Softopper. The wire can go right up through the velcro that holds the back window in, and be wire tied to the topper support bar right there. P shaped conduit brackets can hang the steel flat bar from that same topper support bar. This will ensure it doesn't fall off while offroading. Magnets don't rust so you won't have to worry about stains from washing or rain, etc.

    Just a thought.

    Oh, unless something has changed, the OEM 4 pin connector on our trucks doesn't have a reverse wire. One is brake/running, one is left turn, one is right turn, and the 4th is ground. You would need to tap into the reverse on the 7 pin, or the existing lights already there. This is because most smaller trailer's that don't have brakes don't have reverse lights. Those are functions of the 7 pin.

    As far as any plugged electrical connection goes, buy some dielectric grease at your local auto parts store. This will waterproof those connections and keep them from getting crusty.

    They make a 30" tailgate multi function light bar. If you wanted to get fancy, you can follow my idea above and use that instead on your topper. Then, not only will you have a super wide 3rd brake light, you'll have turns and even better, white reverse lights up high where they belong. Caution though, in Maryland, our third brake light can only be illuminated while braking, not running.
     
    RobP62, Sep 5, 2020
    #51
  12. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:48 AM
    #52
    caribe makaira

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    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    Don't think McGarret & 5-0 cares...:burp:
     
    caribe makaira, Sep 5, 2020
    #52
    RobP62 likes this.
  13. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:52 AM
    #53
    RobP62

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    RobP62 NVR20LD

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    Old enough not to have to Google that reference :anonymous:
     
    RobP62, Sep 5, 2020
    #53
  14. Sep 5, 2020 at 11:53 AM
    #54
    TacoTruck808

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    TacoTruck808 Well-Known Member

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    I didn’t purchase it yet, but was planning on the Opt7 48” one.
     
    TacoTruck808, Sep 5, 2020
    #54
  15. Sep 5, 2020 at 12:00 PM
    #55
    caribe makaira

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    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    Check inside the cab for that connector. Even if you can't get the opposite side or can't find it, the wires can be tapped in the cab out a floor plug to the bumper (Cheap)...or that converter you mentioned.
     
    caribe makaira, Sep 5, 2020
    #55
  16. Sep 5, 2020 at 12:03 PM
    #56
    TacoTruck808

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    TacoTruck808 Well-Known Member

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    :thumbsup:
     
    TacoTruck808, Sep 5, 2020
    #56
  17. Jan 25, 2021 at 7:53 AM
    #57
    DWCampo

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    DWCampo Member

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    LED Headlights / DRL (Dealer Installed) Mud Flaps (Dealer Installed) Predator Tube Steps (Dealer Installed) Glove Box Divider Chrome Tailgate Letters Console Tray Black Exhaust Tip LED Tailgate Lights
    Can I tap all the wires from my LED Tailgate lightbar into the 7 Pin connector ?? This way it would be a cleaner look... (i have the lightbar with the reverse wire and 4 pin plug)
     
    DWCampo, Jan 25, 2021
    #57
  18. Jan 25, 2021 at 8:31 AM
    #58
    caribe makaira

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    caribe makaira Well-Known Member

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    caribe makaira, Jan 25, 2021
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    DWCampo[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Jan 25, 2021 at 8:34 AM
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    someguyinWA

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    someguyinWA Well-Known Member

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    Oh dang does this not fit? I've had the RTL bookmarked for a while as something I want. I thought I saw it show up on Runnin' 4 Tacos so I assumed it worked.
     
    someguyinWA, Jan 25, 2021
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  20. Mar 31, 2022 at 9:43 PM
    #60
    ATL_DRU

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    ATL_DRU Member

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    Last edited: Apr 2, 2022
    ATL_DRU, Mar 31, 2022
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