Camper brake light

[azreb]

I did a search for info and found this one:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80221&highlight=high+mount+brake+light

I haven't found the referenced wire on my '04 Ranger. A search on the web indicated that that wire is not included in the '04 and some earlier models. Is that correct?

I notice there is a fuse in the interior fuse box for the standard high mount brake light. It seems reasonable to tap into that circuit for the topper light. I do not have the wiring diagram for the truck yet. Does anyone know the color code for the wire to the cab brake light?

FWIW, I have found a couple of logic circuits that could be used. Either would tie into the two brake light wires and drive the topper light, without blinking with the turn signals. One is a Pace model 20702. I haven't found the specifications to determine whether it can handle incandescent bulbs, tho. Has anyone tried it?

I would prefer to go with a logic circuit, but it would be good to be able to fix this thing in the next few days--SWMBO wants to take the truck to her dad's next week. There is no source for those things near here and the web sources I have found can't deliver soon enough.

TIA.

 

[Grey_04]

i was told there is a short wire coming out of the under hood fuse box that has a heat shrink cap on it.(if my memory serves me correctly it is a green wire) hopefully someone will chime in that knows.. that's the wire our local leer cap dealer shoots for in doing break lights on caps..

 

[azreb]

That's what one of the posters in the linked thread in the op said. The reference there was to an '08 model. I admit I haven't torn the wire bundle completely open, but I didn't find it. An individual on another forum stated that from mid '02 to '04 that wire was not included. That is why I asked. I wonder if anyone here has done this on an '04.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

If you can get a logic box, run with that. Then you don't have to run wire all the way back along the frame rail.

 

[azreb]

Thanks; I agree. It looks like the logic module is the best choice. It just will take more time to get it than I wanted to wait.

 

[backroad101]

If you do not tow a trailer, what about getting a trailer connector and tap in to whatever they tap into (brake lights I assume).

 

[Grey_04]

If you do not tow a trailer, what about getting a trailer connector and tap in to whatever they tap into (brake lights I assume).

if you do this your brake light on your cap will blink with your turn signals.

 

[Crane]

I also have an 04 that I put a camper on. I tried a logic circuit, but I couldn't get it to work, so a bit of research gave me this, and I haven't had any problems so far. On your driver side floor, take off the trim piece on top of the ranger skidplate and carpet. Search for a bundle of wires and find the green one. Check with a multimeter to make sure it gets power with the brakes, it should look like this.

solder an additional wire (mine was red) to the green wire

find a hole or some way to get the wire out of the cab

run it to the back of the truck through the frame

connect a ground wire somewhere, I connected mine to the ground wire on the driver side reverse lamp

Run both wires through the hole by the taillight and up to the camper and solder or quick connect them

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Grey_04]

if you grab a 4 prong trailer plug you could have a quick disconnect if you ever wanted to take the cap off for any reason.

a foolproof way to wire a connection for a canopy that is intermittently removed
-i would recomend a 4 prong trailer plug.
wire a would be for the hot side for the 3rd brake light.
wire b would be power for the interior light.
wire c for a decent ground.
wire d could be used for a 12 volt plug to charge your phone or spotlight..

***** make sure the end you use on the truck has the cover for it so you don't ground out and cause a fire when not in use *************

 

[azreb]

Crane, it looks like you have the right idea. I will look to see if I can find that wire, but closer to the front of the cab, and run the new one out the same way the bundle comes out through the firewall. Think I will cut the wire to the cab mounted light, since I have no intention of removing the shell.

thanx.