Installed cap shell - brake light wiring?

Folks,

Just purchased and installed a camper shell and was curious about the third brake light hookup. Where do folks typically run the power from? I assume I have to pigtail from one of the bed brake lights? Anyone who has done this before?

THANKS!

 

That's where I ran mine. Used a trailer plug.

 

Trailer plug? I'm not wired for towing, but do you mean something that specifically plugs into the brake light?

Thanks

 

I would be interested

My camper has some pigtail looking thing

Not sure how or where to wire it

 

Same here. My previous cap had a small gage wire that came from under the bed rail and connected to the cap wiring at the bottom of the gate door. Curiosity should have directed me to trace its origin, but I never looked. New cap / new truck - no brake light.

I am sure I could rig something, but I don't want to reinvent the wheel if there is a simple solution.

 

This is for an 03-04 truck. Just tap into the green and white wire for power the other ground. see pdf.

 

You can buy a harness for your model truck at most auto parts stores that just plugs into the back of the taillights.
Unscrew the taillights usually (four Phillips screws) unplug stock wire plug. Install one end of the new harness to the light. Plug the other end into the harness you unplugged. The harness is marked "Left" and "Right".
Now you can borrow or rent a trailer & have a plug all ready to go should you ever need it.


Included in the wire harness kit you'll get a plug for the trailer.
Plug that into your harness and that will power your third brake light on the cap. Most folks run the wire along the cap where the clamps are. Or you can drop the wire outside and under the bed.

Check for a good ground connection at the third brake light too. The light won't work without a ground, as most caps are fiberglass.

 

This thread may help. I installed a brake flasher but the same concept should apply for your shell.
Good luck splicing the correct wire.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pos-wire-for-tail-lights.409446/

 

I just used this

https://www.delcity.net/store/4!Way...p_kw=&mp_mt=&gclid=CKnI4r3h4NECFQmewAodhYACzw

One wired to the left brake light, the other to the wires for the 3rd brake lite on the shell. That way if you remove the shell, it's just unplug.

 

Looks to be easiest

I have oem bedliner
How do I get to back of taillight?

 

Here is the picture of my cap plug

So it looks like it will work with the one you sent

However here is also pic of my tailgate area
Not sure how to access tail light

Do I take out tail light from outside ?

 

Yep, take off the tail light from the outside, splice into the wires and fish the plug wires thru the bed in the square opening in the bed rail, should be a round hole in it near the top of the bed. Just make sure you get the correct wire for the brake. I used solder, then caulk to cover the ground hole I drilled and open wires so it would not rust.

 

I ran my cap/camper 3rd brake light wiring on the driver's side. It may be better to tap into the wires before the harness and not the light itself. This is just in case you ever have to replace the housing.

edit: also I just used taps and haven't had an issue in 6+ years. the wires are in between the bed and fender so they are mostly protected

 

Thank you

The link you provided above had two plugs on each end. I thought it was plug and play. Are these solder and caulk necessary? If so that's too much for me and I will leave the light not done

 

I used T-taps on the wires near the light. I cut the wires inside the bed for when I remove the cap, and I just twist them together and use duct tape when I put it back on.

 

You cut them.

It is terribly easy to do.

 

no need to over complicate things:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/camper-shell-wiring-step-by-step-picture-load-warning.279665/