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Third brake light adapter harness, plug and play on truck harness.

Onewheelsqueel

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Note- have not done this just yet. Parts are on order 4/19/25. But wanted to get the info out for anyone else struggling to find a way to do is.

**4/23 I have canceled my order below. Looking at possibly just getting a connector for the CHMSL or 3rd brake light, same thing. And unplugging the trucks light that you can not see, making a extension and plugging that in up at the trucks 3rd brake light, maybe even fusing it there, and running it to the caps stop light. Will also run the bed lights and wire them up as well.**

Original post- To start, I’ve been researching how to wire my 3rd brake light (chmsl) on my new to me Snugcap sport cap, that I got without a harness.

Was looking high and low here and online for a way to wire in the 3rd brake light. Found a logic controller, many actually. That was easy and will put a link for what I have on order. What I didn’t want to do was hack the truck’s harness. Spoke with a Snugtop dealer in CO about getting a harness. But before I was able to get a an answer on the Snugtop harness, I was going back through my amazon list and cleaning it up and found a aftermarket tow harness that T’s at the tail light connectors so I don’t have to hack the harness and void the warranty. I will T off the LT and RT tail light leads and feed the logic controller to get a solid power lead for the caps brake light. And fuse it like factory Snugtop as well.

Bonus, If you only tap the 4 wire lead of the trailer harness, you can also do a tailgate light as well that if you buy the correct one will have working brakes, and turn signal split

I am just sharing, not making $ on links.

Trailer harness.
https://a.co/d/evZasvq

Logic controller. I chose this one because it works with led lights.
https://a.co/d/0ug8GMu

I am also going to try a flasher for the 3rd brake light. Only needed one, but was cheaper to get this

https://a.co/d/0mEJXhY


I will report back on how it goes.

Ford Maverick Third brake light adapter harness, plug and play on truck harness. IMG_7374
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Hot Runr Guy

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Well after reading reviews I canceled my orders. Will reassess my approach. Harness has some junk reviews.

To be continued
You are on the right track, but would probably be better using a powered trailer light harness, such as this Curt model. You should be able to power it from the FlexBed 12V plug.

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56477

HRG
 
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Onewheelsqueel

Onewheelsqueel

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You are on the right track, but would probably be better using a powered trailer light harness, such as this Curt model. You should be able to power it from the FlexBed 12V plug.

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56477

HRG
Sorta what I was thinking after looking more into it.
Also see the logic box I posted would require two of them.

Ideally I’d just find the connectors from the chmsl harness and make a T, then route it to the back.
 

MakinDoForNow

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Sorta what I was thinking after looking more into it.
Also see the logic box I posted would require two of them.

Ideally I’d just find the connectors from the chmsl harness and make a T, then route it to the back.
If you get the one made by curt that is for the 7 pin trailer it has a larger amperage fuse and provides the separate 12v accessory circuit.
 

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Hot Runr Guy

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kwalk813

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Note- have not done this just yet. Parts are on order 4/19/25. But wanted to get the info out for anyone else struggling to find a way to do is.

To start, I’ve been researching how to wire my 3rd brake light (chmsl) on my new to me Snugcap sport cap, that I got without a harness.

Was looking high and low here and online for a way to wire in the 3rd brake light. Found a logic controller, many actually. That was easy and will put a link for what I have on order. What I didn’t want to do was hack the truck’s harness. Spoke with a Snugtop dealer in CO about getting a harness. But before I was able to get a an answer on the Snugtop harness, I was going back through my amazon list and cleaning it up and found a aftermarket tow harness that T’s at the tail light connectors so I don’t have to hack the harness and void the warranty. I will T off the LT and RT tail light leads and feed the logic controller to get a solid power lead for the caps brake light. And fuse it like factory Snugtop as well.

Bonus, If you only tap the 4 wire lead of the trailer harness, you can also do a tailgate light as well that if you buy the correct one will have working brakes, and turn signal split

I am just sharing, not making $ on links.

Trailer harness.
https://a.co/d/evZasvq

Logic controller. I chose this one because it works with led lights.
https://a.co/d/0ug8GMu

I am also going to try a flasher for the 3rd brake light. Only needed one, but was cheaper to get this

https://a.co/d/0mEJXhY


I will report back on how it goes.

IMG_7374.jpeg
I think I’m looking for the same thing. I have the cab height version of this topper. Bought it used so no instructions. Can’t figure out how to get the brake light to work or the powered locks. No instructions to found anywhere. Will be watching.
 
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Onewheelsqueel

Onewheelsqueel

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Onewheelsqueel

Onewheelsqueel

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So I think I have a way I’m going to do this. The issue with the trailer adapter is, it doesn’t separate out a pure brake light signal. I would still have to use I believe two diodes to pick up a solid signal and feed the light. I’m trying to keep it simple and eliminate complicated wiring and components that can go out. So it dawned on me that I’m not using the trucks 3rd brake light, get a plug to plug in there and route it to the caps stop light. Can fuse it at the plug if I really want. Along with that, run the bed light wire down to the same spot and either use that to light the inside with the light bar there, or use separate lights.
 
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Onewheelsqueel

Onewheelsqueel

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Well I found a way to do it. Modern vehicles suck. Lol. So I bought a 3rd brake light off amazon for $15 and some change. Cheap enough for me to avoid the headaches of searching for the correct connector. Cut the connector off, extended it and put shielding on it. Originally struggled with trying to get at the connector from the light housing, and to take the headliner down in the back. Took a break from it, and did some digging around about others projects with the headliner involved and noticed the connection was not far from the dome light. Keep in mind this isn’t really all to easy either, even for a guy that is a true car nut that does most his own work on my vintage cars and a maintenance mech for automated assembly and injection molding machines. But after about 40 minutes of struggling with the connection I managed to get it unplugged and my extension plugged in. After that ran it to the drivers side back piller under the headliner. Then with some fish tape ran it down the piller to the bottom / back of the seat. Hitting the hay for now and will continue the project in the morning. But this is good progress for about a hours worth of work after being stuck on it for a while.

Ford Maverick Third brake light adapter harness, plug and play on truck harness. IMG_7703
Ford Maverick Third brake light adapter harness, plug and play on truck harness. IMG_7704
 
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Onewheelsqueel

Onewheelsqueel

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P.S. my rt wrist is raw from digging under the headliner and rubbing on the antenna screw head. Down a layer of skin there. 😬🙄🤣
 

MakinDoForNow

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Hey at least you’ve made it that far.
Looking back I count from 16-22 super close times I almost did not make it past could have been several more. Only count day in nam as 1 that had bullet graze helmet, another put hole in shirt collar, and biggie third time for the day.
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