71 FJ40 Tail light Upgrade to 79 lights

[Wawa]

So not sure who might have done this, but yes restomod of a 1971 FJ40 and had some 1979 tombstone lights that I am upgrading to. Big question is how to wire them? Ground, reverse and running lights are easy. How the heck do you split the turn signal and brake lights? Four wires to back and five at light…

 

[Living in the Past]

Really just need to find the wire from the brake pedal switch to the turn signal switch. Disconnect it at the turn signal. Then extend that wire to the back. You will have to run the reverse light wire to both sides since 71 only hads a single reverse light.. Then identify what each does and connect to the correct wire for the tail lights. Tail lights use a common ground and wire are all positive.

 

[Wawa]

Thanks, thought so. Any idea the color code for the one to disconnect? Or a picture?

 

[charliemeyer007]

Coolermans wiring diagrams might help

Cruiser Wiring

 

[Living in the Past]

Thanks, thought so. Any idea the color code for the one to disconnect? Or a picture?

never paid attention to color codes. Just know how works. The brake light switch has power all the time. Just use a meter or test light and find which of the two wires has power. The other wire is the one you want. Switch mostly has wire with bullet connectors. Unplug the wire you need and plug a wire with the correct bullet connector you need. @Coolerman has them for sale. The other end of that connection you undid should not have power but to be safe I would take it up to be safe. Your 71 should have red marker lights on the sides. That should be the same as the tail light. The other wire at the tail lights will be the turn signal. Reverse is inside the cab on the left rear side. Just disconnecting one bullet connector at the tail lights can figure which is tail light and which is turn signal. Just turn the tail lights on while checking it out.

If your flashers aren't working there is a hidden fuse in a wiring harness. Over fifty years ago a dealer quoted a couple hours of labor to replace the flasher fuse. Luckily I was too poor and didn't do it. Later found fuse. Just take the grill of the vent in the center of the cowl. For screws. Then remove the two nuts for damper and remove. Taped to the harness is an inline fuse. I stripped a 71's wiring harness thirty five years ago. It still had that fuse. Believe it was gone in the 72 model.