Another Softopper 3rd brake light install Question

Ok. I want to get this done so I can be safe on the road.

I have absolutley zero experience and probably none of the tools and knowledge to know how to do this.

Is there a plug ad play kit for this?

If not, can someone walk me through step by step how to do this? I have looked at the other threads on this, but none of them really detail.

I plan on using this light:

$15 PerfecTech Red 24 LED 12V Auomotive Car High Mount 3rd Brake light Stop Tail Light Lamp

https://www.amazon.com/PerfecTech-A...gid=pla-568569041485&ref=&adgrpid=60223452937

It has two wires, power and ground.

I think my plan is to buy a two pin flat connector adapter and use that for the quick disconnect and the wire running to the driver side tailight. See below link

$9 SPARKING 2FT SAE to Ring Terminal Harness Quick Connect/Disconnect Ring Terminal Assembly, 10A Fuse(2FT)

https://www.amazon.com/SPARKING-Ter...635c494477f&pd_rd_wg=bYLRB&pd_rd_i=B074BS8B14

I know I will need to cut the red cord and splice into the tailight harness somewhere, but this part I am not sure on. And the black wire (ground) I will just attach to a bolt somewhere on the chassis as others have done.


Can someone sanity check myself and give me some advice for this, and let me know if there is a product I listed that I shouldn't use due to knowledge I don't know of?

Thanks!

 

@fatfurious2 didn't you do some brake light thing?

 

I plan to tap in with this T connector, seems easy enough.

$10 Brightfour Low Voltage Wire splice connectors - Pack of 12 Quick Solderless T Tap Connector 1 Pin,Rock Solid Connector for 24-20 AWG Cable for Vehicle/audio/video/Lighting and Automotive Uses

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072N7S3D...&pd_rd_r=8a3ab5b7-c63b-441b-815c-817ccb03297f

 

I didnt. I need to wire in my 3rd brake light on my GFC now. I think it was @EatSleepTacos

but @Puppypunter has an OEM plug in pigtail thats very helpful.

 

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh does he? I will need one for my new Softopper on the way.

 

If you unbolt your tail light and look at the back, there should be three wires running into the brake portion of your light (assuming it's like the second gens). black/white, red/green, green. Black/white is your ground, red/green is the brake light, green is the taillight. You would tap into the red/green wire for your third brake light.

 

Thanks! I do! I hate vampire clips, especially if they are going to be exposed to the elements.

I make them for 2nd gens too

 

Ok @Puppypunter.
I was also talking with this sparky on my job site and he introduced me a silicone sealed t tap by 3m. But Id be happy to hear about your plug and play system!

 

The sealed taps are better than unsealed, but the tee taps that function by slicing the insulation and wedging the wire in between a V shaped metal blade are all still a last resort. If you have to, a piercing type tap is best. At least in my experience.
As to my taps, they are pretty simple. They are a male and female connector, with a wire doubled on one side in the terminal. While still not a perfect solution, it is much more weather resistant and super easy.
3rd Gen:https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plug-and-play-brake-light-taps.707529/
2nd Gen: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-brake-plug-and-play-brake-tap.713255/
I even do Tundras: https://www.tundras.com/threads/plug-and-play-brake-taps.89274/

I tap the brake + and ground (with the composite beds, finding a good ground isn’t always easy), and can also add a parking light+ tap to any of them. The 2gen version can also have reverse and turn signals tapped as well. I can make all of those for the 3rd gen Tacoma’s and Tundras too, but they are a physically separate plug.

 

Also, I can make a whole system using deutsch flanged connectors. They come in 3,4,6,8, and 12 (and I have a guy who will be making me a 2 in black). So things like cargo light, lock/unlock (I make taps for that too), bedlight taps (if you have a cargo light you want to use and have it come on/off with the bed lights. 2020+ don’t even need to actually have bed lights for that option).

here is an example: from @rmac010

 

Ok.

I just need the 3rd brake light right now, But I think I am going to go with the prtsram 15" light that seems to be popular here.
Which for that I believe I need the 3rd wire tapped as well, for the tail/running light.

And then from there I can just use some 18 gage wire to run from there to a 3 wire plug, and then more 18gage from the plug to my light.

Also is a fuse recommended? Ive seen some with and without them

 

Fuses are never a bad idea, but the circuit as a whole is protected form the fuse box. So not needed.

 

So besides the brake light the OP listed what are other brake light options?