Third Brake Light Install

[Weissenheimer]

This mod has been on my mind for a while now. After I saw a horrific post about someone getting their FWC rear ended, I suspect people on the road have become dumber these days, and if they don't see a third brake light then they are easily confused. Despite the fact that you can "sort of" see my truck's third light through the camper door, I have caught people catching up to me very quick as I slow down and I suspect they didn't see me braking right away. Some may say this is a silly mod, but my FWC means a lot to me and it sounds like a nightmare dealing with insurance and repair or replacement of a FWC. This gives me peace of mind and it didn't set me back too much time or money.

Note: for my older tacoma that has orange/separate blinkers, I couldn't utilize the 7 pin towing plug (easily). It was easier to wire in a separate 4 pin connector (only using 2 wires) directly to one of the brake lights. This is fine though, it frees up my 7 pin for when I occasionally tow things with the camper installed.

This may be obvious but i only used the "high beam red" wire for this LED light, since it comes with many functions, running light red, and orange blinkers. Also it is helpful to note that these wires are microscopic and very difficult to connect with butt connectors to my 4 pin harness. Even soldering was tough! The wires are tiny and fragile, but i ended up soldering the wires and was sure to be careful messing with it afterwards. I had to re-solder it 3 times because I ended up tugging a little too hard tidying up the wiring.

Amazon.com: Universal 32 LED Light Strip,Tail Trailer Brake Stop Turn Signal 3528 SMD 8" Flexible LED License Plate Lights for Motorcycle Bike ATV Car RV SUV : Automotive


10 feet is overkill and i probably could have gone with a shorter version to save money.

Amazon.com: Oyviny 4 Way Flat Trailer Connector 10 Feet Jacketed Cable Heavy Duty Extension Cable Standard 4 Pin Trailer End Wiring Harness Adapter 18AWG Color-Coded Red Copper Wires for Trailer Hitch Wiring : Electronics

 

[Sagebrusher]

I like the idea and the cost. Do you think it would be just about as effective under the door? It's easier and maybe neater to get wires there than running up the side of the door. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Weissenheimer]

I like the idea and the cost. Do you think it would be just about as effective under the door? It's easier and maybe neater to get wires there than running up the side of the door. Thanks for the idea!

Thanks. And yeah I was actually thinking, this would be much easier by installing one of those tailgate width LED brake light strips that mounts below the tailgate, and stays on your truck full time. I feel like those were more popular back in the day, can't remember the last time i saw a truck with that. But it would be the cleanest option and gives you one less thing to forget to unplug before unloaded the camper lol.

 

[tony@segneri.net]

After probably too much reading on why DOT starting requiring high stop lamps after a certain year (1986 I think) I decided to make that same modification. I also put a couple of DOT reflective strips around the top corners of our fleet since it does not have running lights like the Hawk does. It takes a two wire to three wire converter if you want to use the tow wire harness since there is no dedicated stop output, but wasn’t too difficult. I used a similar lamp with low and high inputs, so went ahead and wired it as a running lamp / brake light since the wires were already there it was just a matter of hooking them up.

 

[SLEDAWG]

Added mine below the door.