NEW !!! ○ Baja Designs RTL Series ○ LED Rear Tail Lights

I actually ended up buying @mesojdm RTL-S (Thanks for the great deal). So I finally got everything installed tonight and I found a work around for the brake light being dependent on the tail light. I am using the bar as a huge 3rd brake light since my tire is blocking my stock 3rd brake. I wanted the brake to function even when I don't have the headlights on. I drew up a simple wiring diagram that anyone can use to help them with this project.


As you can see, I used two diodes to activate the running lights when I apply the brakes. I didn't want it back feeding to my tail lights which is the reason for the second diode. If you simply tie the wires together without using diodes, your brake lights will always be activated when your headlights are on.

Hope this helps anyone looking to install this bar. Thanks again to @mesojdm and @Baja Designs for the great bar. @Coot83 if you end up buying one I can help you install it since I'm right down the road.

I'm very happy with it and it now works exactly as I want it to.

 

THANKS FOR THIS BROTHER! I will def take you up on that...shit makes me want to buy it now just to have it pre-wired! I appreciate the solid one line diagram. I need to see this bad boy in person sometime if you don't mind and get a beer!

 

I've got some left over diodes you can have and I can even make the whip for you so all you'd need is to tap into your tail light wiring. I'll send you a pm and we can set up a time for you to check it out.

 

Hell yea buddy lets do it to it!

 

Thank You for posting this up! I hope you don't mind if we keep that diagram for future use.

If you have any photos feel free to share here or on our General Discussion Thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baja-designs-general-discussion-thread.371890/

-Bailey, Baja Designs
www.bajadesigns.com

 

Feel free to use it wherever you'd like.

 

Took some quick pictures of my install.r I couldn't get a shot of the turn signals because apparently my timing sucks.

 

Thanks for posting here as well. Any photos of the truck during the day?

Once again, very nice job on the install!

-Bailey, Baja Designs
www.bajadesigns.com

 

Now announcing Automotive RTL Wiring Harnesses!



Automotive RTL Wiring Harness (sku 640127) - $82.95
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/Automotive-RTL-Harness.asp

This harness was designed for someone looking for a harness that is long enough to reach to the rear of your car or truck and power an RTL. The harness comes equipped with high quality sheathing and a relay to power all the functions; running light, brake, and cargo/reverse light. Looking to run turn signals on your RTL-S? Add the Automotive RTL-S Turn Signal Harness:



Automotive RTL-S Turn Signal Harness (sku 640130) - $26.95
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/Automotive-RTL-S-Turn-Signal-Harness.asp
This harness is designed to be a jumper from your turn signal leads to the RTL input leads. It can be used in concurrence with part number 64-0127



Save 10% with your forum discount! Coupon Code: BDForums
-Bailey, Baja Designs
www.bajadesigns.com

 

Don't have the -S model, but I used the trailer brake controller green wire as the brake signal since it was more proximate to the engine bay. The running R/A and W rev lights are run off a switchpros unit, but I looked at tapping my taillights or the trailer harness for inputs when I was looking at the -S model.

@Coot83 / @paranoid56 I used weatherpack connectors (you can see one just below the right red LEDs) at the front bed rail and at the bar to make it QD since my bed rack is disassemble-able as well and I could mount to the back of my prinsu if I didn't run the tent. As far as legality, I couldn't use it as a 3rd light because state code says it has to be centered...but your states may be different.

Coot: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter10/section46.2-1014.1/

§ 46.2-1014.1. Supplemental high mount stop light.
Whenever operated on the highways, every Virginia-registered passenger car manufactured for the 1986 or subsequent model year shall be equipped with a supplemental center high mount stop light of a type approved by the Superintendent or which meets the standards adopted by the United States Department of Transportation. The light shall be mounted as near the vertical center line of the vehicle as possible. The light shall be actuated only in conjunction with the vehicle's brake lights and hazard lights. Any supplemental high mount stop light installed on any other vehicle shall comply with those requirements.




Weatherpack connectors:

 

Appreciate the insight here and I think I will get up with one of my state inspector buddies and see his thoughts on this. My hope was to have my rtl mounted like yours just under my rtt and wanted the turn signal function, but I get the idea of the red light is not centered instead of the white then it may not be legal according to the legal verbiage for va?

 

If you have a guy in the biz, you are better off. The regulation about being centered almost reads as more of a "guideline" than a hard rule.

Honestly, I didn't really bother with the legalities of running full time since I have the non-blinker version (an rtl-s came up on the scratch and dent page a day later ) , so I can't separate the ambers and the reds.

 

I would make the argument that the light is "mounted" exactly on the center line of the vehicle. My OCD wouldn't allow anything else. The two red lights are distributed across that center line. I've had state troopers behind me with my bar installed. (Not saying that is a definitive test). Though I'm pretty sure I could win that argument in court since I would show up to court with the measurements of where my light bar was mounted.

Also I'm not a lawyer, but I was a cop for three years and I've done a lot of arguing about the verbage of laws.

 

Sounds good to me brother!

 

I think it really just depends on who the LEO you encounter is...

I ran Christmas lights on my truck all of December with no issues. One of my friends did too and was pulled over no less than 3 times for it.

 

Yup, totally agree there.

 

Is there any way that you can run this under the tail gate? I usually see them placed there and I would love to get into adding it to my truck. I just dont see many pictures of people doing it and was wondering if there was a specific reason

Thanks!!

 

I'd imagine height / thickness makes it impossible.

 

@TRSAndrew is correct - the bar is too large for under the tailgate.

It could be possible to squeeze it in there, but you won't be able to open the tailgate.

Baja Designs
www.bajadesigns.com