Ford/SnugTop Bed Cap Wiring Harness Questions

[greenlaker]

Hello - so I scored a screaming deal on an OE Ford/SungTop bed cap, but the seller didn't want to part with the CHMSL/dome light wiring from his truck.

This afternoon I stopped by a truck cap dealer and picked up a Leer 300200 7-way harness, which they claimed as compatible with the Maverick.

The included installation instructions are not Maverick-specific, so I was wondering if anyone here has done the install and could provide some pointers on where the harness plugs into the truck. I'm a relatively handy DIY kind of guy and don't want to have to find a shop to do this.

Any advice is appreciated.

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[CG2023]

Just wire the topper brake light directly to the cab 3rd brake light. I t-tapped it directly and hid the wire along the crevice of the rear window frame so you don't notice it at all. The stock 3rd brake light has a thick gasket to lock the wire down and also no leaks. You will need to rewire the LED bar to the 12v bed socket if you want the inside light bar to work. I installed a pair of rechargeable puck lights in the back of the cab as I was too lazy to wire that up. GL

 

[greenlaker]

Cool, thank you!

 

[Onewheelsqueel]

Just wire the topper brake light directly to the cab 3rd brake light. I t-tapped it directly and hid the wire along the crevice of the rear window frame so you don't notice it at all. The stock 3rd brake light has a thick gasket to lock the wire down and also no leaks. You will need to rewire the LED bar to the 12v bed socket if you want the inside light bar to work. I installed a pair of rechargeable puck lights in the back of the cab as I was too lazy to wire that up. GL

So I picked up an extra 3rd brake light off eBay to use the plug off of it and extend the wires. Did the extension. Was just going to unplug the factory 3rd brake light, plug in the and run it to the back. But couldn’t seem to get to the plug, really don’t want to take the headliner out, and don’t want to splice into any factory wires.

Any idea what it takes to get to that plug?
Thanks.

 

[CG2023]

So I picked up an extra 3rd brake light off eBay to use the plug off of it and extend the wires. Did the extension. Was just going to unplug the factory 3rd brake light, plug in the and run it to the back. But couldn’t seem to get to the plug, really don’t want to take the headliner out, and don’t want to splice into any factory wires.

Any idea what it takes to get to that plug?
Thanks.

You will have to unscrew the 4 clamps and scoot the topper a few inches forward in order to reach the 3rd brake light. I did this by myself, just used my back to push up on the inside of the topper, I just made sure I only lifted it no more than an inch and moved it forward without smashing the gasket. The topper weighs 200lbs so if you don't trust this method get a friend to help you.

I removed the glass window in the front of the topper, just had to unlock the 2 latches to remove the window. Unscrewed the 3rd brake light, T tapped the brake light with my extended wire which was T tapped to the shell brake light LED bar. Overall very easy. Much easier than messing with the harness. You can tuck the wiring alongside of the back window crevice and then under the side of the shell,the gasket will keep any leaks out and it also won't crush the wires. You can disconnect the stock 3rd brake light if you don't want the light to turn on as well when you brake or just put some black tape over it if you are worried about warning lights. I just left mine as is, I don't mind it.

 

[Onewheelsqueel]

You will have to unscrew the 4 clamps and scoot the topper a few inches forward in order to reach the 3rd brake light. I did this by myself, just used my back to push up on the inside of the topper, I just made sure I only lifted it no more than an inch and moved it forward without smashing the gasket. The topper weighs 200lbs so if you don't trust this method get a friend to help you.

I removed the glass window in the front of the topper, just had to unlock the 2 latches to remove the window. Unscrewed the 3rd brake light, T tapped the brake light with my extended wire which was T tapped to the shell brake light LED bar. Overall very easy. Much easier than messing with the harness. You can tuck the wiring alongside of the back window crevice and then under the side of the shell,the gasket will keep any leaks out and it also won't crush the wires. You can disconnect the stock 3rd brake light if you don't want the light to turn on as well when you brake or just put some black tape over it if you are worried about warning lights. I just left mine as is, I don't mind it.

Without just plugging into a harness with a lead or T harness, if there are issues you have voided your warranty by doing that. While it still could void warranty if it fries the harness that is a separate issue. I have a plug and extended that so I can run it to the back. Problem is access to the plug is a massive pain. I really want to pull the headliner to unplug the original light, and plug in the extension.

 

[CG2023]

Without just plugging into a harness with a lead or T harness, if there are issues you have voided your warranty by doing that. While it still could void warranty if it fries the harness that is a separate issue. I have a plug and extended that so I can run it to the back. Problem is access to the plug is a massive pain. I really want to pull the headliner to unplug the original light, and plug in the extension.

I wouldn't worry about the warranty. You would only be splicing the 2 wires to the 3rd brake light, nothing should fry. Dropping the headliner is just asking for trouble.

 

[Onewheelsqueel]

I wouldn't worry about the warranty. You would only be splicing the 2 wires to the 3rd brake light, nothing should fry. Dropping the headliner is just asking for trouble.

Done. Not fun. But doable. Unplugged the trucks 3rd brake light, plugged in the extension I made through the dome light. Not easy at all, very constricted, have skin rubbed off my rt wrist from the antenna. But it’s done, now since this pic it is across the headliner to the back drivers side piller and down to the back / bottom of the seat. Will rout it to the back once I’m up and going today.

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