Need recommendations on toad harness

[les.warden]

Here’s what’s up. I installed a harness for tail/brake/turn signals with the original tail light system. Melted holes in the taillight housings where the extra bulbs would fit inside the housing. Not sure if a grounding issue or what (I’ve checked, seems ok), but periodically the bulbs get either too hot or too much juice and they literally burst inside the housing.

I’m not looking to track this issue down, I’m just going to replace the rear taillight housings with LED lights. They’re much brighter anyway. Front lights will be replaced later.

What I’m looking for is a harness setup with the diodes so I can basically do a plug and play.

It’s a 2016 4dr Jeep Wrangler JKUS.

Any help is much appreciated. Hoping to shorten my research.

[890ken]

I got my wiring harness for my toad from Roadmaster. No issues at all.

[les.warden]

After looking around a bit (etrailer, roadmaster) it seems maybe I really only need the isolating diodes.

I have the wiring harness in place except it goes back to separate bulbs. If I get just the isolating diodes, wire them into the existing bulbs (not the separates), I should be able to see if that setup works. If it works with the original bulbs, I “should” be able to use the originals or replace the original taillights with LEDs and it “should”, in theory, still work.

Thoughts?

[FIRE UP]

Les,
Without being there with you and observing any potentially "odd" issues, it's difficult to really say why you've experienced you nuclear melt down of your tail lights. But, I and many others on here have used the Hopkins 56200 tail light wiring harness for years without one single issue. I myself have never, ever been a fan of adding bulbs as a way of having toad lights. I've wired the original lights in no less than around 20-30 vehicles by using simple Radio Shack diodes and have had again, ZERO issues.

It takes the average DIY type back-yard mechanic about a couple of hours, maybe, to install the Hopkins harness. And that includes snaking the four wires THROUGH the frame, all the way to the front where a quality plug can be installed to fit your umbilical.
Scott

[les.warden]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Les,

Without being there with you and observing any potentially "odd" issues, it's difficult to really say why you've experienced you nuclear melt down of your tail lights. But, I and many others on here have used the Hopkins 56200 tail light wiring harness for years without one single issue. I myself have never, ever been a fan of adding bulbs as a way of having toad lights. I've wired the original lights in no less than around 20-30 vehicles by using simple Radio Shack diodes and have had again, ZERO issues.



It takes the average DIY type back-yard mechanic about a couple of hours, maybe, to install the Hopkins harness. And that includes snaking the four wires THROUGH the frame, all the way to the front where a quality plug can be installed to fit your umbilical.

Scott

Thanks Scott! I’ve already got a harness snaked through from front to back for the extra bulbs. I’m thinking I can use that harness and instead of going to the extra bulbs, go to the MH side of the diodes. So my thinking is really, I just need the diodes.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by les.warden

Thanks Scott! I’ve already got a harness snaked through from front to back for the extra bulbs. I’m thinking I can use that harness and instead of going to the extra bulbs, go to the MH side of the diodes. So my thinking is really, I just need the diodes.

You're quite welcome Sir.
Too bad Radio Shack's still not around. As stated, I've done it for years with only a couple of Radio Shack diodes and, all those jobs turned out flawless. No need to go spend a ton of money on fancy-shmancy diode "kits". But, some folks like those kits so, pick your poison. I think I would spend a whopping $4 for the Radio Shack ones in a 4-pack.
Scott

[dvmweb]

Demco might make a plug and play.

[aandj]

I bought a Mopar toad harness from the Jeep dealer specifically made for the JK that is plugged directly into the Jeep electrical system under the glovebox. I had the Jeep dealership install it after looking at the installation instructions, I did modify and mount the 8pin connector to the Jeep bumper instead of using the plug in adapter/ extension that came with the kit. I have a 2017 JK rubicon so it should work on your 2016

[Spdracr39]

I also used the Hopkins with built in diodes and have no issue with a very easy straight forward install.

[dvmweb]

Demco:

Maybe on page 22?

https://d1wnyry0lodwk5.cloudfront.ne...v_39_email.pdf

Or here:

http://store.demco-products.com/c/rv...1.6485.1150044

We got one for our Fiat 500. No diodes, plugged right into the toad’s wiring harness. Simple, it works.

[les.warden]

FOLLOW UP:
I bought diodes and used the existing harness that went to separate light bulbs. Rewired and reworked the wiring so now only the original Jeep lightbulbs are used. It works great.

Here are a couple pictures in case someone else wants to wire theirs up similarly.

[mikeh2obury]

I used a magnetic tow package that runs through the car and hooks directly into my 7 pin connection on the motorhome. No power drawn from the car to operate.

[les.warden]

Originally Posted by mikeh2obury

Attachment 263070Attachment 263073

I used a magnetic tow package that runs through the car and hooks directly into my 7 pin connection on the motorhome. No power drawn from the car to operate.

That’s a good idea too! You have any info on where you purchased, brand name and such, for other viewers?

[les.warden]

One question left. Hopefully, there’s someone out there that’s done it already.

Now that I’ve gotten it all working with the diode setup, if I want to change out the rear Jeep taillights with LED taillights later, is it a matter of replacement plug-n-play??

TIA
-les