New to me camper shell wiring the 3rd brake light?

[underwhelmed]

Saw this YouTube short that shows Ford Trucks coming from factory with a dedicated wire for that purpose. Anyone found one on the Ranger?

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[Grumpaw]

Sounds like time to get the creeper, the eye protectors, shop light, and gloves and go start-a-huntin !!!!!
Oh, the topper looks great on your Iconic Scab !!! I really wanted it for mine, price was great, but The Boss did not like toppers on a p-up....said it makes it look like an over-grown suv . I disagree, but she is The Boss !!!!

 

[Figarou]

Here's a better look at the tag. And no.....I didn't find one under my 2019 Ranger.

It says.......YE/BU………HIGH MOUNT STOP.

 

[underwhelmed]

Here's a better look at the tag. And no.....I didn't find one under my 2019 Ranger.

It says.......YE/BU………HIGH MOUNT STOP.

Thanks for the reply. I spent some time looking around today. Didn’t find one. I found another thread here that said you can run 3rd brake light to 7 pin connector. Would rather do that than tap the tail lights. I am horrible at DIY projects, so there will probably be lots of cussing and unforeseen consequences in the near future….

 

[ControlNode]

This should give the more or less official directions. https://www.snugtop.com/images/pdf/ford/SnugTop-CH-Ford-Ranger-iSheet-HR.pdf

 

[underwhelmed]

This should give the more or less official directions. https://www.snugtop.com/images/pdf/ford/SnugTop-CH-Ford-Ranger-iSheet-HR.pdf

Thanks!

 

[Sojourner]

Saw this YouTube short that shows Ford Trucks coming from factory with a dedicated wire for that purpose. Anyone found one on the Ranger?

I don't have that dedicated wire in my 2023, but it turned out to be very simple wiring in the CHMSL (if that's where you're heading). In fact, just did the wiring hookup yesterday.

Splice off the bed power point connector (on frame behind the left rear tire; a simple 2-wire connector) for the ground (black/white). (see: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/rear-grounding-points.9801/post-181708). Easier to do the splice if you pull the connector from the frame (one is just a pin to keep the connector from rotating, the other is one of the umbrella-type push pins to keep it on the frame (white base/black 2-wire connector).

(While I was there, I also spliced off the power wire (red) to power the switch-activated LED dome light in the topper).

Then remove the left tail light assy (2 8mm bolts you'll see when you lower the tailgate. Push the tail light assy to the left to disengage two pins). Splice into the #2 (red) wire (see https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/third-brake-light-for-softopper.6784/).

Not much wire (in both cases; power point connector and tail light connector) to work with, but it works absolutely perfectly. A savvy person could have the whole project done in under 90 minutes tops. But it was a hot day and I'm old/beat up, so it took me a bit longer.

I used three "blue" T-Tap connectors for the splices. See https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1DDZX7B

If I can do it, I'm betting you'll do fine.

 

[underwhelmed]

I don't have that dedicated wire in my 2023, but it turned out to be very simple wiring in the CHMSL (if that's where you're heading). In fact, just did the wiring hookup yesterday.

Splice off the bed power point connector (on frame behind the left rear tire; a simple 2-wire connector) for the ground (black/white). (see: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/rear-grounding-points.9801/post-181708). (While I was there, I also spliced off the power wire (red) to power the switch-activated LED dome light in the topper).

Then remove the left tail light assy and splice into the #2 (red) wire (see https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/third-brake-light-for-softopper.6784/). Not much wire (in both cases) to work with, but it works absolutely perfectly. A savvy person could have the whole project done in under 90 minutes tops. But it was a hot day and I'm old/beat up, so it took me a bit longer.

I used three "blue" T-Tap connectors. See https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1DDZX7B

If I can do it, I'm betting you'll do fine.

Thanks for tutorial! I don’t think you understand how inept I am ??????

 

[Sojourner]

No shame in that. You're doing just what I did. I was going to start a new thread on this topic because it took me over two weeks to sort through all the advice. Even Leer makes it more difficult than it needs to be.

I'm pretty sure there's no difference in wiring between yours and mine. YMMV, but my 3rd brake light is working like a charm/exactly as it is supposed to.

Here are two pics:

1. Where the connector is on the frame.

2. Looking up from underneath. The connector is capped with the capped open end facing forward.

 

[underwhelmed]

Seriously, thanks for all the info and the pics. I’ll pick up the supplies tomorrow and give it a shot.

 

[Figarou]

No shame in that. You're doing just what I did. I was going to start a new thread on this topic because it took me over two weeks to sort through all the advice. Even Leer makes it more difficult than it needs to be.

I'm pretty sure there's no difference in wiring between yours and mine. YMMV, but my 3rd brake light is working like a charm/exactly as it is supposed to.

Here are two pics:

1. Where the connector is on the frame.



2. Looking up from underneath. The connector is capped with the capped open end facing forward.

Wait....you spliced into the bed power point connector? It would have been easier if you plugged right into it.

Here is the link to the wire.

https://whor.us/store/p/oem-connector-4

 

[Sojourner]

Would have done that, but for two reasons.

First, I couldn't find the connector type listed anywhere. So I gave up and went with a splice. And given that I needed to get the truck out on the road I didn't want to give the local police/state troopers an easy ticket while I waited on the part (they're death on these things around these parts). But definitely thank you for that info.

Second, I also just bought the OEM power point harness (that the connector is meant for; and about the same price that Wolfhaus Off Road is asking) and 12v socket to add to the bed. So I would have eventually had to splice into something somewhere.

But that cable might be just the thing for @underwhelmed.

 

[Figarou]

Would have done that, but for two reasons.

First, I couldn't find the connector type listed anywhere. So I gave up and went with a splice. And given that I needed to get the truck out on the road I didn't want to give the local police/state troopers an easy ticket while I waited on the part (they're death on these things around these parts). But definitely thank you for that info.

Second, I also just bought the OEM power point harness (that the connector is meant for; and about the same price that Wolfhaus Off Road is asking) and 12v socket to add to the bed. So I would have eventually had to splice into something somewhere.

But that cable might be just the thing for @underwhelmed.

Or you can make your own splitter from that plug. I don't like splicing. (see pic)

Wolfhaus had a 12 volt socket plus an extra wire connection. But I don't see it at his site. I made my own splitter instead.

 

[Sojourner]

Or you can make your own splitter from that plug. I don't like splicing. (see pic)

Nice idea. Just might do that. Thanks. What was the connector PN for the female (?) side that you made the pigtail with (as I can't find that either. I'm not a car guy so I don't know all the ins and outs of connector types/names)?

 

[Figarou]

Nice idea. Just might do that. Thanks.

What you need.

Male end.....just one.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/136017...click_sum=7141d176&ref=shop_home_recs_1&frs=1


Female end....2 of them.

https://whor.us/store/p/oem-fm-con?utm_medium=order-summary&utm_source=order-status&utm_content=name


And the splitter itself. It's a 4 pack. You have to cut off the ends to apply the OEM connectors.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z8KX18J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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