5th Gen Tail Light Wiring

[bartvonwolf]

Hey all, I am finishing up my CBI bumper install and I am now down to the wiring. I want to tie in the license plate LED to my tail lights. What is the best way to get access to the tail light wires? Do I need to remove one of the lights to gain access? It looks like I will need to pull away interior trim to accomplish this. Anyone done this that can give me some pointers?

Also, I want to tap into the hot and ground so when my tail lights go on, so does the license plate light. So what color wires should I look for hot and ground for the tail lights?

Thanks!

Bart

 

[Randyman...]

Tail Lights or Brake Lights? AFAIK the tail lights and license plate lights come on in unison as-is?

What is your desired end-result, and how does it differ from your current situation?

:lookout:

 

[Moto69Joe]

Hey all, I am finishing up my CBI bumper install and I am now down to the wiring. I want to tie in the license plate LED to my tail lights. What is the best way to get access to the tail light wires? Do I need to remove one of the lights to gain access? It looks like I will need to pull away interior trim to accomplish this. Anyone done this that can give me some pointers?

Also, I want to tap into the hot and ground so when my tail lights go on, so does the license plate light. So what color wires should I look for hot and ground for the tail lights?

Thanks!

Bart

There is a black rubber plug on the bottom of the truck that you can run your wiring up and into the rear quarter panel area. That's where you will find the wiring harness you'll need to tap into. I went in on the passenger side as that's where my hinge for my SW bumper is located.

 

[Randyman...]

I must be missing something obvious as I don't know anything about this bumper and how it changes the license plate and tail light relationship :behindsofa:

 

[bartvonwolf]

There is a black rubber plug on the bottom of the truck that you can run your wiring up and into the rear quarter panel area. That's where you will find the wiring harness you'll need to tap into. I went in on the passenger side as that's where my hinge for my SW bumper is located.

OK cool, so do you recall which wires you taped into?

Thanks!

I must be missing something obvious as I don't know anything about this bumper and how it changes the license plate and tail light relationship :behindsofa:

Correct. Look up the CBI bumper and you will understand.

Bart

 

[Randyman...]

Ah, OK - The spare-tire-carrier (and not the aftermarket "bumper" itself) obscures the stock license plate location (and associated DOT required license plate lighting), and requires a license plate migration to the bumper (associated with the aforementioned tail light wiring inquiry)...

Crystal clear now! :yo:

 

[Moto69Joe]

OK cool, so do you recall which wires you taped into?

Thanks!


Correct. Look up the CBI bumper and you will understand.

Bart

Sorry I don't but SW rear bumper install instructions list which colored wire it is. I believe they're posted in the SW 5th gen rear bumper thread.

 

[GearJunkie88]

There is a black rubber plug on the bottom of the truck that you can run your wiring up and into the rear quarter panel area. That's where you will find the wiring harness you'll need to tap into. I went in on the passenger side as that's where my hinge for my SW bumper is located.

I'm trying to install some LED lights to serve as backup lights that are operated by a switch on the dash. I need to run a wire from the back bumper to the battery. Millions of posts mention a "black rubber plug" and I have located several black rubber plugs under the rear of the truck near the spare tire and the trailer plug on the drivers side. I have shoved a coat hanger in those plugs in hopes it would end up in the jack compartment or the taillight access area. However, no joy up to this point.

Does anyone have any photos of this illusive rubber plug that will allow me to bring a wire from under the truck into the cab (which I will run through the headliner to he front of the truck)? Any other advice for getting a wire from the rear to the front?

 

[Moto69Joe]

I'm trying to install some LED lights to serve as backup lights that are operated by a switch on the dash. I need to run a wire from the back bumper to the battery. Millions of posts mention a "black rubber plug" and I have located several black rubber plugs under the rear of the truck near the spare tire and the trailer plug on the drivers side. I have shoved a coat hanger in those plugs in hopes it would end up in the jack compartment or the taillight access area. However, no joy up to this point.

Does anyone have any photos of this illusive rubber plug that will allow me to bring a wire from under the truck into the cab (which I will run through the headliner to he front of the truck)? Any other advice for getting a wire from the rear to the front?

Stand by. I'll snap one for you in a bit.

 

[4Running303]

This thread for the rear diff breather mod shows the rubber grommet location a lot of folks use. I used it for my breather and to run some wires for my lights in my rear CBI bumper.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/66497-new-location-rear-diff-breather-ext.html

 

[GearJunkie88]

This thread for the rear diff breather mod shows the rubber grommet location a lot of folks use. I used it for my breather and to run some wires for my lights in my rear CBI bumper.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/66497-new-location-rear-diff-breather-ext.html

Yep. It's right there. Just like the picture shows. How the heck did I miss that when I spent an hour with my hands and head in the jack compartment? Thank you very much for directing me to the right place!