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Newbie electrical question

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by cliffordprefect, Apr 30, 2018.

  1. Apr 30, 2018 at 7:23 PM
    #1
    cliffordprefect

    #1
    cliffordprefect [OP] New Member

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    First Name:
    Cliff
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    Just bought my first Tacoma, 2000 2wd, and separately bought an offbrand camper shell from another guy on craigslist.

    Wondering how to hook up the lights. The bed has a plug and so does the shell, but they are not the same and I don't know how to adapt them together. Is there an adapter to be found, or do I need to put a new plug on one side?

    The plug on the left is what comes out of the camper shell, and the one on the right is hooked up to the truck.

    Thanks!

    Photo Apr 30, 7 02 12 PM.jpg
     
    cliffordprefect, Apr 30, 2018
    #1
  2. May 1, 2018 at 5:18 AM
    #2
    nzbrock

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    nzbrock Well-Known Member

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    The plug on the left is a 4 pin trailer harness connector. I guess they just used that to wire the topper. The one on the right is also aftermarket, but I have not seen one like that before. You will need to figure out what wire goes to each light. If you want, you can get a 4 pin trailer harness extension and put it in place of the 3 wire connector on the right.
     
    nzbrock, May 1, 2018
    #2
  3. May 1, 2018 at 9:55 AM
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    cascadetaco

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    cascadetaco Toyota Addict

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    cascadetaco, May 1, 2018
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  4. May 2, 2018 at 10:43 PM
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    BluLED

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    BluLED Well-Known Member

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    YEP what they both said. It may sound confusing at first but you'll find it is simple-really. Also check that the topper has a good ground when your done hooking every thing up.
     
    BluLED, May 2, 2018
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  5. May 2, 2018 at 11:03 PM
    #5
    scocar

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    scocar hypotenoper

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    It depends what they go to. I assume in the cap you have an interior dome light and a 3rd brake light. That is two of the hot leads. And you have a ground.

    I would also get a 4-prong "trailer" harness to mate with the one on the shell. That is readily available and easy.

    Trace the truck side harness, an you'll likely find it is routed through the bed side to the tail light housing. Remove the tail light housing from the outside of the bed, and in there, you will likely find a wire tap to the brake lamp in your tail light, which will be for activating your shell's 3rd brake light. The dome light will need a hot lead that may go all the way to your battery, and should have an inline fuse at least.

    While looking for a pic, I stumbled on this thread, should help a lot.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/camper-third-brake-light-wiring-by-a-noob.181629/
     
    scocar, May 2, 2018
    #5

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