7 Way wonder....?

[xcmountain80]

Well it has been a long day (started at 345am), and I know I’m tired so I’m calling tonights trailer wiring activity to a halt. On my M416 trailer I’m using a 7 way my way, I have a set of FJ40 tail lights that have separate brake, turn, and backup lights. No problem right….. well this is where I left it

Running light GREEN
Left Turn RED
Right Turn BROWN
Brake BLACK
Back Up YELLOW
Ground WHITE
Unused BLUE

I will have to reconfigure the vehicle side 7 way (yet to be installed) because when I had this hooked to my dads 06 Taco the brake light activated the Left Turn (yellow light) while the Right Turn signal was on, curious I thought but it will have to wait till morning. So I’m guessing my question is mostly verification that I will need to “custom” wire my 7 way on the truck side….yes?

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[Martyn]

You need to add a solid state converter to the vehicle side. The converter combines the left turn and brake, and then combines the right turn and brake lights going to the 7 Pin RV socket on the back of the vehicle.

We do this conversion for every Land Rover we wire up. You can get the converter from a trailer supply house, online, or from us at AT.

Here is one example of the part you need.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

What Martyn described is the 'proper' way to do it.

However, since you are using FJ40 lights, it's a bit different.

If you want to have the FJ40 'orange' blinkers work, you will have to make your own set up.

The downfall of this, is that the lights will only work with your rig.

If you ever had to/wanted to tow it with another vehicle, you would have to redo the trailer wiring.

I'm not aware of any trailers or trailer lights that utilize the amber turn signals and red tail/stop.


ETA: The link that Martyn supplied is similar to the unit I used on my XJ.

 

[xcmountain80]

Maybe I missed something, the lights must stay seperate because the lamp on the trailer looks like this.

The brake lights will be combined, the turns are seprerate and do not become engaged unless the vehicle tells them to. the vehicle is already wired for 4 flat, the jump to 7 way isn't a big deal I thought perhaps I might need to be more open minded with my colors of wires.............


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[xcmountain80]

What Martyn described is the 'proper' way to do it.

However, since you are using FJ40 lights, it's a bit different.

If you want to have the FJ40 'orange' blinkers work, you will have to make your own set up.

The downfall of this, is that the lights will only work with your rig.

If you ever had to/wanted to tow it with another vehicle, you would have to redo the trailer wiring.

I'm not aware of any trailers or trailer lights that utilize the amber turn signals and red tail/stop.

Since it will be painted to match I'm fine with no one else towing it unless I make an adapter of sorts (should do that just in case dad or brother decide to tow). But I think you understand what I'm saying.

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[Hill Bill E.]

Since it will be painted to match I'm fine with no one else towing it unless I make an adapter of sorts (should do that just in case dad or brother decide to tow). But I think you understand what I'm saying.

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Not sure if you can make an adapter that way? (I'm sure it's possible, I just can't wrap my brain around it right now:Wow1

You might be better off picking up a set of those magnetic tow lights, for the occasions that it will be towed by another rig.

I got a set from Harbor Frieght for $10.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Just reread the part about your rig being wired for the four flat.

In that case, it'll have the converter in it already.

To do what you want, you'll need to tie your '7 way-my way' in close to the tail light of the rig, so you get the correct wires going to the trailer.

Only ones from the 4 flat that will work in this situation, are the ground (should be white) and the taillight (should be brown)

 

[xcmountain80]

I wired an elevator in the space shuttle, I got this! Trust me it's easier when you have 250 different color wires instead of 7.

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[Martyn]

The great thing about the 7 pin is you can wire it any way you like.

Typically it's wired:
Running light GREEN
Left Turn RED
Right Turn BROWN
+ BLACK
Back Up YELLOW
Ground WHITE
E Brake BLUE

You are wiring it:
Running light GREEN
Left Turn RED
Right Turn BROWN
Brake BLACK
Back Up YELLOW
Ground WHITE
Unused BLUE

So long as the vehicle and the trailer are wired up the same you shouldn't have a problem.

You have one terminal left free that would allow you to wire the trailer up either for electric brakes or 12 volt in the future. If it was me I'd wire the brake lights to the blue circuit as in some looms the black + is heavier gauge. That would leave the black circuit open for future 12 volt.

 

[xcmountain80]

The great thing about the 7 pin is you can wire it any way you like.

Typically it's wired:
Running light GREEN
Left Turn RED
Right Turn BROWN
+ BLACK
Back Up YELLOW
Ground WHITE
E Brake BLUE

You are wiring it:
Running light GREEN
Left Turn RED
Right Turn BROWN
Brake BLACK
Back Up YELLOW
Ground WHITE
Unused BLUE

So long as the vehicle and the trailer are wired up the same you shouldn't have a problem.

You have one terminal left free that would allow you to wire the trailer up either for electric brakes or 12 volt in the future. If it was me I'd wire the brake lights to the blue circuit as in some looms the black + is heavier gauge. That would leave the black circuit open for future 12 volt.

Thank You, and excellent point!

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[Hafwit]

How about using a European 24V military tow vehicle with a Nato 12 pin trailer plug to tow a regular US 12V trailer--again there is the same issue with need for signal combination.

 

[xcmountain80]

I figured it out but what a PIA, I removed the left portion of the bumper, the plastic top trim for the bumper, also the left interior trim panel. This was all so I could access the OE Toyota tow package controller. It takes 5 wires and converts them to 4 (this is where there turn and brake get together). I spliced my way 7 way to the 5 wire independent (each wire comes from the source). I then kept the 4 flat I already had so I could tow my other trailers.

So in the end I have a 7 way setup for my configuration and the stock 4 way flat to tow everything else. I went with Martyn's advise and wired the blue line for brakes and left Black for an auxiliary.

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[highlandercj-7]

The bad thing about wiring your truck and trailer different than the standard set up is if you ever decide to haul a different trailer your lights will be jacked up. The easiest way I can thinkk of is to do two plugs one direct for your trailer light to light and another with the convertor the Martyn segusted. That way you can haul other trailers if need be.

LOL, just saw your post above after I poasted. That's the best way to get it done!

 

[ntsqd]

I think that I'd have wired the plug normally, and then tapped into the 12 VDC source in the plug to power some relay/electronics logic to get the desired blinking.

 

[xcmountain80]

I think that I'd have wired the plug normally, and then tapped into the 12 VDC source in the plug to power some relay/electronics logic to get the desired blinking.

I don't see it working any other way than how I have it. Trailers lights aren't designed to be separate from brake lights in that they share something there. The Toyota has separate lights as do the FJ40 tail lights I installed. The way I've done it is the simplest. Remember keep it simple ( to have kept it simple I would have needed to stay with normal trailer lights, but that just not me).

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