converting tail lights to trailer lights

[awhotrods]

I have a flatbed on my 82 toyota 4WD, and am going to install oval 2x6" stop/turn/tail trailer lights to replace the stock units.  The problem is, the stock toyota wiring won't work with that setup, I would need to run 2 sets of the trailer lights to get full function.  Does anyone know of an adapter or another way to splice into the factory harness and make the trailer lights work?  I don't want to run 2 sets.  Thanks for any help!!!

[MidgetMike]

Napa has a 6 wire to 3 wire conversion circut that will allow you to hook uop you trailer lights, I don't know the part numer it's by the trailer wiring kits.

[reklund5]

Just pick up a cheap trailer wiring converter from Napa or PepGirls... they're only like $20



 

[reklund5]

then just cut off the "trailer" end and hardwire your lights to it.  Thats how I ran some LED's on my buddys old flatbed

Ryan

[awhotrods]

so is it a univeral trailer adapter, or is it specific to a toyota?  Also, would I need two if I was to cut off the flat end off the trailer harness, or did you just splice both lights into the one harness.  Thanks

[reklund5]

Its universal to pretty much any vehicle that has separate turn signal and brake lights. (most foreign vehicles have an amber turn signal and a red brake/tail light as opposed to domestics that have a single red stop/turn/tail light)  It just takes the separate amber bulb voltage and routes it to a single stop/turn/taillight.  You'll cut off the end that is normally run to the trailer (if it has a trailer connector on it) and hardwire it inbetween your existing taillight wiring and your actual lights in your flatbed.

Also, if you are running LED trailer lights, they have LESS resistance than a stock 1156/1157 bulb setup, so they'll blink really fast when you put the turn signals on.  This can be remedied with a simple resisitor or by wiring in a conventional bulb and tucking it inside your flatbed tubing somewhere to increase the resistance and slow the flasher down. 

-R-