What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

I’m debating between the r4t and carven. I’d assume carven has more r&D behind them though.

 

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

 

Oh. I need to check them out then. I’ve been holding off installing any lights ditch, light bar, rear etc because I haven’t gotten a switch pro or similar setup yet.

 

Same boat for me. I finally installed my Meso left panel to add a shit-ton of switches for mods. Waiting for a run on center panels, now.

 

Yeah that was my concern also but several youtubers seem to have installed them with no issues.

 

Yeah I’m not sure I can do the side panel because I have so many used already. I haven’t researched it yet though either.

 

The Softopper has finally arrived! So I installed it. ha

 

I did not bug them when Fed-X had it I just asked them when are you going to send it? At first I asked if there was a problem getting materials? If they had just answered ONE of them I would have stopped?? Nicely too. Since they did not tell me or answer with any thing I would wait about 5 days and ask again as it had been months since I ordered. They were totally ignoring me in asking must have figured I would get it one day and blew me off! Today just got a email from Fed-X it is headed into my town, I will call them and just go get it. Sometimes it can sit there 13 miles from my house in town for several days too and my truck is still clean of snow. A snow storm is coming in tomorrow and a good excuse for them to not bring it to me today when they get it this morning? The truck should be being unloaded at 8:00 AM.

Mark
Dec 5, 2021, 7:44 PM


to Softopper

Hello; Question told the guys on the Tacoma Board how fast I got a Tracking number!! Then was told good luck I got a tracking number to back in October and still have not got theirs? Was told your waiting on getting Aluminum is this true? Tracking said expect it on the 9th of Dec but will update when Fed-X gets it. So I guess since it is winter and snowing where I live and was also told you also have a back log of orders ect is this true?? Is it going to be next year before I get one and no way am I even getting it next week? Waiting is one thing but months past the due date tens to upset me. Better if I know the truth and not think I am getting it soon. So please let me know when you will think you have the parts to make them or is it really going out this week. I really want this Softopper!! Thank You, Mark Hendershot


Mark
Dec 12, 2021, 8:35 AM


to Softopper

Any idea when I may get this? Mark


Mark
Dec 21, 2021, 1:36 PM


to Softopper

OK why not make me feel better and let me know what the status is? Mark


Mark
Jan 3, 2022, 8:54 PM (7 days ago)


to Softopper

Nice now you ship it by FED-X and it has sat there in Henderson for 5 days and only moved 29 miles? Tracking said I would get it by the 3rd then they say they have no idea when I will get it? Glad our business uses UPS they still ship on time. We would lose a ton of sales if we used FED-X! Mark

 

I was lucky and got in on Meso's last production run of those panels. I have 5 across the top and 3 to the side of the horizontal light switch rocker. I switched that single tall spot to the standard size. That panel is a spendy one because it's structure is pretty complicated. I think it was $160!

 

Rough. I feel you. Waiting on something to be shipped can really suck. Sometimes estimates are way off. If it's not made in the country, a lot of stuff is just stalled coming in. Hopefully in no time will you not think about how long you waited.

 

Are you gonna run some type of 3rd brake light on that? Waiting on my Softopper too, as well as my truck. I saw someone on here that had a thin 3rd brake light attached to their topper but didn't respond when I asked where they got it.

 

I will totally forget, I love the look of these on the Toyota TRD!!! We had a good start on winter one reason I got the TRD it is so nice in the snow! I had to wait for it too but well worth the WAIT! Sucks putting your stuff from the store on the snow in the bed after you fill up the Cab. We wait for all kinds of stuff now days beginning to be the norm with one carrier. Even people have to wait for me to plow them out and get in line. Some of them need to buy their own tractor cause I can only do so many and have told them. I already feel better knowing it is here. Just waiting on a phone call to get it from them. We spend about $50K on shipping every year from our home business. We ONLY use UPS and USPS, the Local Fed-X is always bugging us to use them and how they can save us some money doing it slower? After 25 years we know better and won't change! Not sure yet how I will deal with the 3rd Brake Light?? Need to think on that one and the best place to tap into the wiring, let alone mount it?? Thinking of a way with Velcro on the light if I have to do it? Just need to see the top first. Not drilling holes in anything.

 

Anyone know the best place to tap the wiring for a 3rd Brake Light? Is there a location in the back of the bed? No way am I pulling the light off to get to it might just wait for a warning ticket and fold it down saying I will solve it then put it back up to the Cop! We have all kinds of jacked up trucks with out mud flaps, and regular trucks with out the rear tires protected 1/2 way that is against the law too? I have my mud flaps. This might be a Law I just test here in Washington State?? Lots of LED 3rd Brake Lights on Ebay.

 

I would suggest tapping int one of the rear tail lights and use this type of plug.

$12 ELECTOP SAE Connector Power Socket Sidewall Port, Weatherproof SAE Quick Connect Solar Panel Flush Mount SAE Plug Adapter Cable, 12AWG SAE Extension Cable for Solar Generator Battery Charger(2 Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/Electop-Weat...r&qid=1641833972&sprefix=12+v+p,aps,83&sr=8-4

 

This is the easiest/best way for the wiring.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plug-and-play-brake-light-taps.707529/

Then this works great for the light
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/closed-any-softopper-model-gb.635923/page-15#post-22170160

Another option for the LED light
https://www.vleds.com/shop-products/light-bars/wpb-r.html

Edit:
I ran my softopper without the 3rd brake light for several years with no issues from the police in western Washington. I finally added it about 2 years ago thanks to the LED R&D from @tonered

 

I’d think something that runs down to the trailer connector. Could hide it behind the bumper and run it up through the cubby I’d bet. Haven’t done it myself, but you know there’s a brake light signal there.

 

puff puff smokey...

 

Just need black screws

 

I don't plan on running a 3rd brake light at the moment. But I may eventually look into it.