Sponsored

Rear License and 3rd Brake Light Wiring

Jeff2018

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Threads
30
Messages
161
Reaction score
75
Location
Indianapolis
Vehicle(s)
2021 JL Rubicon Unlimited EcoDiesel
Hi Everyone,

Little things like relocating the rear license plate light and 3rd brake light can sure take a lot of time.

New Rockslide full width bumper and Metal Cloak Sportgate mean the license plate (and light) and 3rd brake light need rework.

I bought the Metal Cloak bracket and lights. Roughing in the wiring this afternoon and realized that the bracket won't work with the Dirty Life spare. (I should be able to come up with some spacers to make it work.)

My main hang-up is the wiring. MC's instructions, as with instructions for other kits, recommends splicing into the vehicle wiring at the passenger tail light. I would really prefer not to splice into any harnesses that are on the body-side of the JL, and thus can't be replaced if they become damaged.

My question is this... There is a connector under the tailgate panel for the rear 3rd brake light. There is a pigtail and connector in the rear bumper sensor harness that is intended to plug into the light on the stock bumper. Why would I not want to wire into these points on the JL, rather than tying into the body harness at the passenger tail light?

The connector for the stock 3rd brake light was saved when the Sportgate was installed and the stock carrier was removed, so I should be able to reuse the light-side of the connector. For the brake light, I'll need to cut off the stock connector on the bumper harness and extend that wiring to the new light location.

This seems like the most straight-forward way of installing these lights. Am I missing something? I haven't seen any writeups with these connections being used.

I appreciate any input.

Thanks,

Jeff
Sponsored

 

av8or

Well-Known Member
First Name
Randall
Joined
Apr 22, 2020
Threads
37
Messages
610
Reaction score
931
Location
Oregon
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLUR, 2023 Rivian R1T
Occupation
FedEx-retired
I have a different bumper than what you are installing, but thats what I did. I used the factory plug for the license plate light and extended the wires.
 
OP
OP

Jeff2018

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Threads
30
Messages
161
Reaction score
75
Location
Indianapolis
Vehicle(s)
2021 JL Rubicon Unlimited EcoDiesel
Hi Randall,

I have a different bumper than what you are installing, but thats what I did. I used the factory plug for the license plate light and extended the wires.
That was quick! Thanks.

I'm assuming you didn't have to do anything with the stock 3rd brake light.

Take Care,

Jeff
 

av8or

Well-Known Member
First Name
Randall
Joined
Apr 22, 2020
Threads
37
Messages
610
Reaction score
931
Location
Oregon
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLUR, 2023 Rivian R1T
Occupation
FedEx-retired
Hi Randall,



That was quick! Thanks.

I'm assuming you didn't have to do anything with the stock 3rd brake light.

Take Care,

Jeff
I extended them the same way. If I remember correctly I believe I pulled it back into the rear gate and extended it there. I have the LoD rear bumper and tire carrier and the wiring has to swing with the tire carrier and not the gate.
 

BadA$$Rubi

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bryan
Joined
Aug 16, 2019
Threads
9
Messages
293
Reaction score
408
Location
Northeast Ohio
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLU Rubicon
Vehicle Showcase
1
Hi Everyone,

Little things like relocating the rear license plate light and 3rd brake light can sure take a lot of time.

New Rockslide full width bumper and Metal Cloak Sportgate mean the license plate (and light) and 3rd brake light need rework.

I bought the Metal Cloak bracket and lights. Roughing in the wiring this afternoon and realized that the bracket won't work with the Dirty Life spare. (I should be able to come up with some spacers to make it work.)

My main hang-up is the wiring. MC's instructions, as with instructions for other kits, recommends splicing into the vehicle wiring at the passenger tail light. I would really prefer not to splice into any harnesses that are on the body-side of the JL, and thus can't be replaced if they become damaged.

My question is this... There is a connector under the tailgate panel for the rear 3rd brake light. There is a pigtail and connector in the rear bumper sensor harness that is intended to plug into the light on the stock bumper. Why would I not want to wire into these points on the JL, rather than tying into the body harness at the passenger tail light?

The connector for the stock 3rd brake light was saved when the Sportgate was installed and the stock carrier was removed, so I should be able to reuse the light-side of the connector. For the brake light, I'll need to cut off the stock connector on the bumper harness and extend that wiring to the new light location.

This seems like the most straight-forward way of installing these lights. Am I missing something? I haven't seen any writeups with these connections being used.

I appreciate any input.

Thanks,

Jeff
Before you cut off the harness, check the wiring as It may contain the Backup Sensor Wiring! The wires you are looking for are:
White/Heavy Blue Tracer: License Plate Light
Black: Ground/Negative
(Verify just to be sure)
All others wires are for the sensors, if you have them. This harness is accessible from inside the drivers side rear panel that contains the DC accessory outlet. Remove enough tape from the harness to locate those wires.Cut & splice in your new wire extension harness and route underneath and across the tailgate threshold, pierce through existing mesh harness leading into tailgate.

License Plate Relocation Bracket :
Artec: JL5620 LP Bracket
Artec: OZ0803 LP LED Light Harness Kit
 

Sponsored

OP
OP

Jeff2018

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Threads
30
Messages
161
Reaction score
75
Location
Indianapolis
Vehicle(s)
2021 JL Rubicon Unlimited EcoDiesel
Hi Randall,

I extended them the same way. If I remember correctly I believe I pulled it back into the rear gate and extended it there. I have the LoD rear bumper and tire carrier and the wiring has to swing with the tire carrier and not the gate.
Thanks!

Jeff
 
OP
OP

Jeff2018

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Threads
30
Messages
161
Reaction score
75
Location
Indianapolis
Vehicle(s)
2021 JL Rubicon Unlimited EcoDiesel
Hi Brian,

Before you cut off the harness, check the wiring as It may contain the Backup Sensor Wiring! The wires you are looking for are:
White/Heavy Blue Tracer: License Plate Light
Black: Ground/Negative
(Verify just to be sure)
All others wires are for the sensors, if you have them. This harness is accessible from inside the drivers side rear panel that contains the DC accessory outlet. Remove enough tape from the harness to locate those wires.Cut & splice in your new wire extension harness and route underneath and across the tailgate threshold, pierce through existing mesh harness leading into tailgate.

License Plate Relocation Bracket :
Artec: JL5620 LP Bracket
Artec: OZ0803 LP LED Light Harness Kit
Thanks for your reply.

I appreciate your clarification about the harness. I wasn't clear in my message about the connector I was planning on removing. I reinstalled the sensors in the new bumper, so I was aware of the connector on the driver side, under body.

The connector I will be removing is actually along the harness that runs on the under side of the bumper. I'm attaching a picture for reference. This is the connector that I will be removing.

Jeep Wrangler JL Rear License and 3rd Brake Light Wiring License Light Connector 20210726_121800 1920 x 1080 res


Thanks,

Jeff
 

BadA$$Rubi

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bryan
Joined
Aug 16, 2019
Threads
9
Messages
293
Reaction score
408
Location
Northeast Ohio
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLU Rubicon
Vehicle Showcase
1
Hi Brian,



Thanks for your reply.

I appreciate your clarification about the harness. I wasn't clear in my message about the connector I was planning on removing. I reinstalled the sensors in the new bumper, so I was aware of the connector on the driver side, under body.

The connector I will be removing is actually along the harness that runs on the under side of the bumper. I'm attaching a picture for reference. This is the connector that I will be removing.

Jeep Wrangler JL Rear License and 3rd Brake Light Wiring License Light Connector 20210726_121800 1920 x 1080 res


Thanks,

Jeff
No problem, good luck!
 

ConqSoft

Well-Known Member
First Name
Keith
Joined
May 25, 2020
Threads
54
Messages
986
Reaction score
2,141
Location
Wake Forest, NC
Vehicle(s)
2020 JL 2 Door Rubicon 6 Speed
Occupation
Systems Analyst
Vehicle Showcase
1
Before you cut off the harness, check the wiring as It may contain the Backup Sensor Wiring! The wires you are looking for are:
White/Heavy Blue Tracer: License Plate Light
Black: Ground/Negative
(Verify just to be sure)
All others wires are for the sensors, if you have them. This harness is accessible from inside the drivers side rear panel that contains the DC accessory outlet. Remove enough tape from the harness to locate those wires.Cut & splice in your new wire extension harness and route underneath and across the tailgate threshold, pierce through existing mesh harness leading into tailgate.

License Plate Relocation Bracket :
Artec: JL5620 LP Bracket
Artec: OZ0803 LP LED Light Harness Kit
Thank you for the color legend for the license plate light. Saved my bacon!
Sponsored

 
 



Top