brake light for cap
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From: Maine
brake light for cap
I just put a cap on my '97 Ranger, and need to wire up the third brake light on it. I don't know a whole lot about electrical work, so I figured I'd check before I started doing anything on it.
I've been told that I should tap in at the back of the truck, where the wiring crosses over from between the two taillights. I've got a 4-way flat trailer pigtail there, and I'd love to cut that up rather than the factory wiring, but I don't think that would work because the trailer plug uses the same wire for running lights and brake lights.
Once I find the wire for the brake lights, what's the best way to pigtail the wire for the cap off of it? I know I need to weatherproof it really well, because it's just sitting under the truck exposed, but I've never really done any exterior wiring before.
Thanks,
Ian
I've been told that I should tap in at the back of the truck, where the wiring crosses over from between the two taillights. I've got a 4-way flat trailer pigtail there, and I'd love to cut that up rather than the factory wiring, but I don't think that would work because the trailer plug uses the same wire for running lights and brake lights.
Once I find the wire for the brake lights, what's the best way to pigtail the wire for the cap off of it? I know I need to weatherproof it really well, because it's just sitting under the truck exposed, but I've never really done any exterior wiring before.
Thanks,
Ian
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From: Virginia
If you have only red lights in the rear, then tapping into the brake light wire won't work, since the same wire that has the brake signal, also carries the turnsignal. I think some explorers had the seperate amber turn lights in the rear, and in that case your method would work. I do not know if pickups ever had the amber turns though.
If you have just red lights in the rear, you have two choices.
1. Run a wire up into the cab and try to tap into the high mount third brake light on back of the cab. You can also tap into the green wire at the brake switch on the pedal.
2. Do a search on the web or ask the local parts store if they have a electronic gizmo that will let you tap into the wiring like you want, but keep the high mount light from blinking when you make a turn. I am pretty sure they make such a thing. You might try JCWhitney.
If you have just red lights in the rear, you have two choices.
1. Run a wire up into the cab and try to tap into the high mount third brake light on back of the cab. You can also tap into the green wire at the brake switch on the pedal.
2. Do a search on the web or ask the local parts store if they have a electronic gizmo that will let you tap into the wiring like you want, but keep the high mount light from blinking when you make a turn. I am pretty sure they make such a thing. You might try JCWhitney.
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From: Maine
I have amber turn signals in the rear, so I should be able to tap into the brake light wire back there, unless they use the same wire for running lights and brakes like on trailers...
I'm mostly concerned with how to make the splice without damaging anything, and how to keep the connection weatherproof.
Thanks!
I'm mostly concerned with how to make the splice without damaging anything, and how to keep the connection weatherproof.
Thanks!
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Ok, you are good to go. Pick a spot that is easy to get to, and strip some of the insulation back without cutting the wire. Wrap your new wire around the old one, and then solder the connection. You can then tape it up, and then put some silicone around the tape.
If you want even more protection, you may want to make the splice in behind the taillight cavity. Just un-bolt the taillight and do the splice behind the light housing. Get a little bit of rubber vacuum line and put it around the new wire when it goes through any metal openings in the body.
If you want even more protection, you may want to make the splice in behind the taillight cavity. Just un-bolt the taillight and do the splice behind the light housing. Get a little bit of rubber vacuum line and put it around the new wire when it goes through any metal openings in the body.
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From: Maine
Good idea on doing it right behind the taillight- that should give it good protection from the weather, and I'd probably end up running the wire through there anyway to get to the cap. Just have to see if there's room to get my big fat fingers in there and do it...
Thanks!
Thanks!
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by Franklin2
If you want even more protection, you may want to make the splice in behind the taillight cavity. Just un-bolt the taillight and do the splice behind the light housing. Get a little bit of rubber vacuum line and put it around the new wire when it goes through any metal openings in the body.
Post Fiend
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by Rockledge
This is pretty much exactly how I tapped into the brake lights when I wired up the Explorer Auto-Dim Mirror in my Ranger. I reviewed a lot of wiring diagrams and looked over a lot of spots on the truck beforehand, and I ended up choosing the tailgate cavity as the best choice to splice in. As long as you make a good connection (I soldered mine), insulate things real good (the rubber vacuum hose is a great idea), then you should be fine.
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