SoftTopper blocking 3rd brake-light. Solutions???

I knew it was going to block the 3rd brake light. I am just wondering if anyone has a nice solution to adding a "remote" one to the back of the softtoppper. I really dont like it being blocked. more of a chance some idiot on their phone is going to smack into me.

Might be time to upgrade the left & right brake lights to super bright LED's.

 

I just did this this weekend. There's a few threads about it, I'll link what I bought and what I did. I don't really have pictures except the finished product. I'm assuming you have a moderate automotive electrical skill.



17" LED brake light:

$30 Partsam 2PC Red 17" 23 LED Light Bar Stop Turn Tail Third 3rd Brake Light Trailer Center Light Bar Car Truck Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Trailer Tail Light Bar Surface Mount Waterproof

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019FD29PG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Waterproof connectors:

$12 Qook 5 Kit 3 Pin Way Car Waterproof Electrical Connector Plug Male Female Wire Cable Connector Plug with Wire AWG Marine

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075LKSQJR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Quick splice connectors:

$17 CBTONE 60 PCS Quick Splice Wire Connectors - Quick Splice Electrical Wire Terminals T-Tap Connectors Wire Splice Connectors with Nylon Fully Insulated Male Quick Disconnects Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074MR3PGL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Other items: heat shrink, wire, solder, electrical tape, automotive harness tape, zip ties, 3/4" stainless 8-32 machine screws/fender washers/nylock nuts/rubber washers
Tools: Soldering iron, 10mm socket, screwdriver, adjustable wrench, wire strippers, multimeter

1) Remove tail light. I did driver's side but it doesn't really matter. Identify wires for brake light ground, brake light power, running light power. The three are on one harness in the middle, I believe there's white/black (ground), green(running) and blue(brake). I may be mistaken on which is which, it's always good to verify with a multimeter.

2) Determine length of wire from the tail light to a hole on the bed near the tailgate, I used the hole for the bed lights (this is different on the 2020s, so do whatever is useful for you). Cut 3 wires to this length with separate colors.

3) Determine the right gauge quick splices for the tail light wires and splice to the tail light wires. Crimp the male ends to the corresponding wires.

4) Solder or crimp the other end of the wire to one side of the waterproof connector. I did a connector by the brake light and a connector here so that I can easily disconnect the brake light when folding the Softopper. Heat shrink or electrical tape over every connection. Wrap the harness with harness tape or other wire protection.

5) Determine length of wire from the bed connector to the top center of the rear of the Softopper, routing the wire along the Softopper frame. Cut 3 wires to this length.

6) Solder or crimp the other end of the waterproof connector to one end of these wires. Tape or heat shrink the connections. Do the same with another male/female waterproof connector by the brake light, if desired. Protect the connections and wrap/protect the wire harness. You can loosely zip-tie the harness up to the top rear center of the Softopper.

7) With the brake light, determine which wires are ground, power and running light. I believe white was ground, black was running and red was brake. Solder or crimp the other end of the waterproof connector to these wires, or directly to the wires coming from the bed. Protect the connections and wrap in harness wrap.

8) Determine placement of the brake light on the Softopper. I mounted it onto the topper itself above the rear window. Mark the screw holes and poke through the topper and velcro on the interior, a drill worked fine for this.

9) Attach the brake light to the topper, using two rubber washers on either side to keep it waterproof. Tighten the nylon nuts down with a screwdriver and adjustable wrench. Loop the wiring harness into the Softopper between the rear window and topper, sandwiching it between the velcro.

10) Connect the wiring harnesses, zip tie the wiring securely and test.

Hope this helps.

 

Here is @tonered solution. I'm putting one together that is similar.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/closed-any-softopper-model-gb.635923/page-15#post-22170160

 

More info never hurt anyone. Here's another thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/softopper-third-brake-write-up.620224/#post-21124899

 

That partsam light is popular. I used the same one. I got the smoked lense.

 

So I recently got a softtopper, I've been thinking about this as well.

I think instead of tapping the brake harness, I'll just wire the light to a 4-pin flat trailer plug. Since my hitch and trailer harness are aftermarket (4cyl no factory tow package) I'll just leave the light plugged in and keep everything tucked up behind the bumper.

Way I figure it if I'm towing I don't really need the 3rd brake light because there will be a trailer behind me lol.

 

You'll need an adapter to do that, there isn't a brake signal on the 4-pin trailer plug. Just a left turn and right turn... Both light up for brake. Without an adapter your center brake light will blink with the turn signal.

Here's an example adapter...

$22 CURT 56196 2-to-3-Wire Splice-in Trailer Tail Light Converter for RV Dinghy Towing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046EKPHY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J3adEbRXEQFP7

 

After reading through everyone’s posts on TW, I installed a third brake light on my Softopper. I’m trying the Curt 7pin T tap into a 4 pin plug with some creative wiring down to just 2 wires. Ground & brake (bright) on the LED. I combined the R & L turn, tests pending with any flashing or pulsing when using the turn signal. I probably won’t pull a trailer, so diodes, etc, hopefully won’t be needed...yet.

I put some shrink tube on the LED screws to help prevent any tears to the topper.

I didn’t want to splice into to the tail light wiring without an actual plug T tap or pay the $80 for the part from Curt.

it was also a good opportunity to seal a gap between the bed liner & the quarter panel that took in water & dirt from the LR tire.

 

Not sure if you’re still on here but what gauge wire did you use to tap into the brake lights? Or did you connect the harnesses directly to it?

 

There is a plug and play brake light tap available now. This is the way.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plug-and-play-brake-light-taps.707529/

 

I messaged him but no response as of yet so I just went ahead and bought me all the stuff I need to solder in 2 quick connects (tail light housing and in the bed of the truck). If I do get a response then I’ll just return the stuff I got to Home Depot. Thank you though!

 

@Puppypunter , don't you have a website for ordering now? (Maybe I'm thinking of daveeasa)