Picture request: How to remove trailer hitch wiring

[SilverBullet01]

Hey team, I've been googling and searching the forums for quite some time and Im running into an issue. I am attempting to remove the trailer hitch wiring (temporarily) so I can mount a wiring harness in line. For the life of me I can't seem to figure out how to press, squeeze, or pry off this wiring harness. I dropped the spare and I've been trying for hours. Any recommendations or pictures to show how I'm supposed to remove this?

The purpose is to install this from Diode Dynamics HitchMount LED Pod Reverse Light & Brake Light Upgrade

My idea is to use this when the hitch isn't in use, then when I have my bike racks on, I will be making a new wiring harness to plug into the Diode light harness and mount some extra brake lights from Kody technologies.

Any help or photos would be incredible, and if I did miss a thread on this, please let me know.

PS, lots have been in the works on my T4R and im excited to share soon!

 

[ArthurKotb]

I'm not clear on what you're trying to do. Are you trying to unplug the connector from the back of a 7-pin jack mounted under the L/R side? Maybe trying to find the wires that lead to this connector?

I found something for a 2007 T4R
Try this at etrailer.com

 

[SilverBullet01]

Im attempting to disconnect the back of the 7pin to add this wiring harness in line with the existing to the 7pin plug. This hitch light came with an inline harness and I can't seem to get the back of the harness off the plug to add this in line. I will try and take some photos of what im looking for to clarify, but here is a photo of the wiring harness and what im tryin to add.

 

[SilverBullet01]

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[SilverBullet01]

after looking at it a bit more, I don't know if the factory 7pin plug is removable from the included wiring harness. I hope I am wrong because this would be so much easier to install, but I may have to cut the wiring from the Diode Dynamics harness and tap into the existing factory wiring and create a new harness that way.

 

[daprotege5]

follow the wires, the 7 pin turns into a two plug wire harness that are tucked into the back part near the wheel well. i had to replace the whole 7 pin recently and thats whats under there.

 

[SilverBullet01]

follow the wires, the 7 pin turns into a two plug wire harness that are tucked into the back part near the wheel well. i had to replace the whole 7 pin recently and thats whats under there.

I see the two plugs for the harness to remove and replace the entire harness. Looking at it further, it seems that the only removable part is the entire plug/harness piece and its not removable from the back of the 7 pin itself to add this harness in line. I will probably be ordering their 4 pin harness and removing the hitch wiring and splicing it in myself.

 

[cwilliams563]

I see the two plugs for the harness to remove and replace the entire harness. Looking at it further, it seems that the only removable part is the entire plug/harness piece and its not removable from the back of the 7 pin itself to add this harness in line. I will probably be ordering their 4 pin harness and removing the hitch wiring and splicing it in myself.

IDK if this helps, but I just removed mine due to it being in the way and in a bad spot. If I ever need it, I can plug it back in. I have an 08 SR5

Here’s some pics of it removed.

Let me know if you’d like any more pics or at different angles.

 

[Boort]

[MENTION=13319]SilverBullet01[/MENTION]

I was thinking about getting the same setup, but had concerns that there would be splicing needed. For the same reasons that you are looking to get it working. While researching I had noticed they have a specific harness for the 2ndGen Tacoma and that it was picking up power form a different location than the standard 7-ping harness. (HitchMount LED Pod Reverse & Brake Light for 2005-2015 Tacoma)

What concerned me was this exchange on the Q&A section of the Tacoma part:

Does this work with the 03-09 4Runners? I purchased the first version and it did not work. I'm assuming this is the updated one that can work with that harness?
by Edgar

(1 answers)
Please send us an email at [email protected] with some more specifics as to what your previous issue was, and we would be happy to assist you there - thanks!
by Diode Steve 2 years and 5 months ago

I'm interested in what you have to go through to get this working as it may determine if I get one or go a different direction to get brighter reverse lights.

Boort

 

[SilverBullet01]

IDK if this helps, but I just removed mine due to it being in the way and in a bad spot. If I ever need it, I can plug it back in. I have an 08 SR5

Here’s some pics of it removed.

Let me know if you’d like any more pics or at different angles.

So in the second picture, im trying to remove the harness from the backside of that plug. Are the harness and plug all once piece because I think they might be. That's the exact spot I need to separate.

 

[SilverBullet01]

[MENTION=13319]SilverBullet01[/MENTION]

I was thinking about getting the same setup, but had concerns that there would be splicing needed. For the same reasons that you are looking to get it working. While researching I had noticed they have a specific harness for the 2ndGen Tacoma and that it was picking up power form a different location than the standard 7-ping harness. (HitchMount LED Pod Reverse & Brake Light for 2005-2015 Tacoma)

What concerned me was this exchange on the Q&A section of the Tacoma part:


I'm interested in what you have to go through to get this working as it may determine if I get one or go a different direction to get brighter reverse lights.

Boort

So this is the route im taking currently. I have ordered this harness off of eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/297691429248

Figured I would see if this works to replace my existing factory plug, and order the 4pin harness from Diode.

Stage Series C1R/C2R 4-pin Single-Output Trailer Wiring Harness

 

[Drcoffee]

Why not just run a wire to the tail light and splice into the reverse wire? LEDs draw such low current that it wont overload the factory wiring. I did it on my 2007 FJC and ran two light pods installed in the rear bumper.

 

[cwilliams563]

So in the second picture, im trying to remove the harness from the backside of that plug. Are the harness and plug all once piece because I think they might be. That's the exact spot I need to separate.

It is hardwired into the back of the receptacle.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Usually, the pronged internals slide out after removing an external screw but looking at the pics I see some clips that look like they push outwards to allow the inner plug to slide out. Then there's sometimes set screws that attach the wires to the plug itself.

 

[SilverBullet01]

It is hardwired into the back of the receptacle.

this is exactly what I was looking to confirm. Thank you!

 

[SilverBullet01]

Why not just run a wire to the tail light and splice into the reverse wire? LEDs draw such low current that it wont overload the factory wiring. I did it on my 2007 FJC and ran two light pods installed in the rear bumper.

Honestly I thought about it. Wiring I have no issues with. If I do this im going to tap into the existing trailer hitch wiring since I won't have to run as long of a cable for it. I just need to tap 4 wires and make a new harness and since I can get the old harness out I can solder everything vs just using wire taps.

 

[Drcoffee]

If you dont tow much, just get a cheap 7 pin coil cord, modify it for your reverse lights and leave it plugged in. Use a little dielectric grease on the male pins so it doesnt fuse together over time.

 

[Drcoffee]

Ebay $24

 

[Drcoffee]

Or this

 

[andynj]

I was looking to do the same thing and splice the DD wiring to a plug that goes into the hitch harness on the T4R but the matching of the wires was a little ambiguous and when i plugged it iin I got a check engine light that I needed to clear. Let me know if you figure out the wiring color to color match from DD to a 8 pin plug that fits the T4R!