Third Brake Light

[Mike92STX]

I just got a 04 FX4 and the third brake light is leaking, after ordering a new gasket on ebay and getting the wrong one I decided to get a new after market brake light with LED lights. My question is the truck didn't have the bed light and the new comes with it has anyone wired a bed light on a truck that didn't have one? I'm guessing it can be wired to the dome light but I'm not sure.

 

[8thTon]

Yes, it’s trival. I got one from a junkyard Mazda that had the cargo lights and installed LED bulbs. The wire from the dome light isn’t far away and you just have splice into it. I think the switched hot connection to the dome light goes through one of the mounting screws, so I just put a ring lug under the screw head - I may have a picture on my laptop I can get later.

Edit: https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?threads/adding-bed-lights-to-my-2004.179715/

 

[Mike92STX]

That looks almost as easy as I thought except I didn't get the light from a junkyard so I couldn't get the extra wire. Might have to improvise a little. Thanks for the input and instructions.

 

[Mike92STX]

Well, I got the new light today but it looks like I'm going to have to get another plug from a junk yard. It looks like the female end of the plug can be added to the 3rd spot on the plug but the problem is I don't have a extra plug might be able to get it from dealer? My other issue is I have the extended cab and I think I'm going to have to take the headliner out to run the wire because the liner is to close to the roof and it has some uneven spots that I can't get the wire through or over.

 

[black_demon69]

Well, I got the new light today but it looks like I'm going to have to get another plug from a junk yard. It looks like the female end of the plug can be added to the 3rd spot on the plug but the problem is I don't have a extra plug might be able to get it from dealer? My other issue is I have the extended cab and I think I'm going to have to take the headliner out to run the wire because the liner is to close to the roof and it has some uneven spots that I can't get the wire through or over.

Use a straightened wire coat hanger to fish the wire

 

[Mike92STX]

Thanks Black_demon69 and 8thTon! I probably would have figured it out but you help made it a lot easier. I finally got it done yesterday, got another plug off a 150 at the junkyard and spliced it on to my truck with 1 wire going to the dome/interior light. The only thing that I don't think there is any way around is the cargo light comes on when I open the doors or unlock with the remote. it not a big deal, I just haven't noticed it on another truck. Thanks Again.

 

[8thTon]

Thanks Black_demon69 and 8thTon! I probably would have figured it out but you help made it a lot easier. I finally got it done yesterday, got another plug off a 150 at the junkyard and spliced it on to my truck with 1 wire going to the dome/interior light. The only thing that I don't think there is any way around is the cargo light comes on when I open the doors or unlock with the remote. it not a big deal, I just haven't noticed it on another truck. Thanks Again.

That's how my old F250 worked, and while it's not ideal it seemed good enough given how simple it was to hook up.