Topper Brake Light Tap with Meso Total Tail Stage 1

I swear I've seen them cheaper:
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56070

But one of those, plug it in, route it where you want, then either mount it and get a 7 pin pigtail or cut out all but the brake controller lead and the ground lead, then heat shrink (or electrical tape) the unused wires and bury them in the loom.

Brake T from me or another curt harness gives you the brake input.

$15 Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller Harness, Compatible with Select Toyota Tacoma, Tundra

Brake Controller Harness -- just join the blue and black together with a butt connector and ignore the other wires or de-pin and remove them.

Now you have fused power, ground and brake (aka stop) feeding the shell. Any 3 position quick disconnect and some heat shrink butt connectors.

Tools required: 1 pair of wire strippers, 1 heat gun or hair dryer, some electrical tape or friction tape, heat shrink butt connectors.

Time required: 1-2 hours?

Difficulty level: 2 out of 10? Really not any harder than any other job.

The PIA part about self install is you have to rent a trailer to pick up the shell, most dealers won't let you bolt it on on site without charging for installation and won't let you drive off without a functioning 3rd brake light. That's where they f you over. I rented a trailer to pick mine up b/c that pissed me off so much but it was significant headache.

Another note on the above items, you can do 90% of the prep work in advance, on the bench. The last bit is marrying up 3 wires with some sort of quick disconnect. Lots of options there and doesn't really need to be waterproof but an AMP w waterproof cap or dutsch flange or weatherpack would be on my list.

F it man, I'd even do the prep work for you if that helps.

 

@daveeasa If I get your harness (I assume the regular is what I need), does it plug in at the Meso Total Tail stage 1 to OEM harness end or the Meso to tail light end? Or does it matter?

 

Upstream, but it also doesn't matter if you did it wrong because total tails is re-routing turn to the switchback, the brake bulb gets the same signals as before.

 

Ok to between the Meso and OEM harness. Got it thanks

 

I dont have any pictures, but I tapped into the meso harness and installed a flush mount SEA plug in the bed. That way when I dont have the topper there are not wires just hanging out. Makes it much cleaner and easy to work with.