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  #1  
Old 01-16-2016, 05:23 PM
Ctexan Ctexan is offline
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Default 3rd Brake Light Wiring Question

I have a cap I am putting on my 2004 ranger (long cab) and I need to hook up the 3rd brake light. It has two black wires. I have heard of folks tying in to the rear wiring with a logic box and also running a dedicated wire from the front.

Do you know where I could find such a logic box? Do you have a recommendation for one?

Would you recommend tying into the front instead and do you know where I could find the wire to splice? Any assistance appreciated.

Thank you.
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Old 01-17-2016, 10:21 AM
oldcrowalki oldcrowalki is offline
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Default Re: 3rd Brake Light Wiring Question

I bought my 'logic box' from TruckOutfittersPlus on the internet (they're out of Iowa). Think the part number was E20-702 (I bought the wrong part the first time and only got a wiring harness), price was $22 which included shipping--but it was 4 years ago, so who knows now? I don't tow and don't have a ball hitch, but do have the trailer wiring connector behind center of rear bumper. I bought 4-way connectors that matched the trailer connector. Connected to the trailer connector and ran the wires attached to it up the inside of the bed rail. Then connected another 4-way at the bottom of the topper (cap), and hooked up the 'logic box' which has 2 wires going in(the turn signal lights & brake lights-which are combined on my 2006) and 1 coming out. The 2 wires left on the connector were ground and the parking lights, so I ran those on up and connected to the inside canopy light of the topper. By doing this, I didn't disturb any of the original wiring. If I need to pull the topper off, just disconnect the connector. If I need to pull the bed, just disconnect the connector to the oem trailer plug. If I did want to tow, just disconnect at the oem trailer plug and plug in the trailer lights. One small downside with the topper inside light--if I want to turn it on, have to turn on the parking lights at the light switch on the dash. Have read that by not disconnecting the 3rd brake light on the cab, you get a nasty glare at night, but have never noticed it. 4 years in, and everything still works.

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The 2 black wires of your 3rd brake light--one is probably 12v power, and the other is ground (but I could be wrong).
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Old 01-21-2016, 01:00 PM
Ctexan Ctexan is offline
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Default Re: 3rd Brake Light Wiring Question

Thank you for your detailed response. I see their logic box here: http://www.truckoutfittersplus.com/s...lights.htm#wh1 , but it is only for "LED 3rd Brake Lights". Was yours this way? My cap is pretty old and I'm fairly certain it is not LED.

Many thanks.
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Old 01-22-2016, 06:22 AM
howie1295 howie1295 is offline
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Default Re: 3rd Brake Light Wiring Question

I would suggest that you simply tap the wire from the brake light switch, located under the drivers seat. This is the same signal that activates the high mount stop lamp on the cab. Run a wire to the stop lamp in your cap, and a 2nd wire for the ground. Done.
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Old 01-22-2016, 07:36 AM
oldcrowalki oldcrowalki is offline
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Default Re: 3rd Brake Light Wiring Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ctexan View Post
Thank you for your detailed response. I see their logic box here: http://www.truckoutfittersplus.com/s...lights.htm#wh1 , but it is only for "LED 3rd Brake Lights". Was yours this way? My cap is pretty old and I'm fairly certain it is not LED.

Many thanks.
My cap is off a 2000 Ranger. And the lights are not L.E.D. The logic box I bought had 2 wires going in one end of the box, and 1 wire coming out the other side. Looks like they might have changed it. You might give them a call or do some more internet searching; I'm sure there's more than one 'logic box' maker out there.
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Old 01-23-2016, 11:05 AM
Ctexan Ctexan is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by howie1295 View Post
I would suggest that you simply tap the wire from the brake light switch, located under the drivers seat. This is the same signal that activates the high mount stop lamp on the cab. Run a wire to the stop lamp in your cap, and a 2nd wire for the ground. Done.
Thank you for the help. I found the wires to the high mount brake light on the truck. (See photo) There is one green one and one black one. How would you recommend routing them to the back of the truck? Drill a hole in the back of the cab and run them under the bed to the back?

Where would you recommend getting the wire I would need for this?

Thank you again for your help!
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Old 01-23-2016, 11:06 AM
Ctexan Ctexan is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by howie1295 View Post
I would suggest that you simply tap the wire from the brake light switch, located under the drivers seat. This is the same signal that activates the high mount stop lamp on the cab. Run a wire to the stop lamp in your cap, and a 2nd wire for the ground. Done.
Here's another picture of the high mount brake light on the truck
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