Wiring help needed

[Herebytheowl]

Time to consult the masters...
I am in the process of wiring up a set of rear mounted tractor lights on my 2001.
I need to know:

1. which wire at the rear is always hot (+), and

2. which wire is hot on the cargo lamp circuit, and where can I tap into it under the cab.

I have the lights mounted and relays in already, and was able to test function by jumping the hot off the trailer connector, that wire will work, but I do not know what the wire color is.
Thanks, with this help I should be able to back up even without a full moon.

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2001 3500 QC 4X4 SLT ETH/DEE 3. 54 TOW GROUP B+W TURNOVER HITCH, LINEX BED,RAILS+ROCKERS

 

[jmeehan]

I don't know which wire is always hot at the rear.
When I wired my backup lights I just spliced into the factory backup lights. That's the purple and black wire at the tail light.
I should add that the tail lights are not a switched ground like the headlights.

[This message has been edited by 85CJ (edited 05-08-2001). ]

 

[Herebytheowl]

Thanks 85CJ,
I tapped the violet/black wire to power the relay, but I need essentially a (+) battery connection without running all the way up to the front. I know that there is one to the trailer plug, but I don't know what color it is.

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2001 3500 QC 4X4 SLT ETH/DEE 3. 54 TOW GROUP B+W TURNOVER HITCH, LINEX BED,RAILS+ROCKERS

 

[mongoose]

The hot wire at the back of the truck should be the heavy black wire going into the trailer connecter. The center prong on the trailer connector should also be a back up light source.

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Daniel McKeehan

1999 2500 QC/Short Bed/4X4 5 speed. Camper Package and of course a Cummins

 

[Alan Reagan]

I believe if you look on the outside of the trailer connector cover (let the spring close the cover and you'll see what I mean) it tells you which pin is which. Mongoose is right. Just verify with what is on the cover. Also, check out this from Fritz.
http://dodgeram.org/tech/mods/electric/trailer_wire.htm

[This message has been edited by Alan Reagan (edited 05-09-2001). ]

 

[BV]

On mye 99 the 12+ wire for the the trailer plug is Orange.

 

[SteveE]

The Red/with orange tracer is B+ (battery 12 volts) at the trailer plug.
I powered my auxillary back up lites from this circuit.
Adding a fuse here is a good idea.
I also cut into the violet/bk, circuit to back up lites, to activate the relay, saving the need to run a wire to the front. Now my back up lights only come on when it is in reverse.
I do not know which wire in the cargo lamp circuit you need as I used the violet/bk to trip the relay.
The service manual shows a black wire at the cargo lamp.
Hope that helps, Steve
2001. 5 QC 4x4 LB ETH/DEE

 

[Herebytheowl]

Thanks to everyone!
Backup lights are in and working off the reverse switch. If anyone else is trying this Tap into the violet/black wire to control the relay, and the red/tan wire for your (+)power. The other terminals on the relay will be (black)to ground, and (red)to the hot side of your lamps. Now I will be able to see behind me #ad
.
I will be wiring the lights through a separate relay and the cargo light switch on the dash so that they can be activated independant of the transmission. If you care to do this the wire to tap into to control the relay is the pink/blue, the only place that I can get to it (without tearing the interior out) is under the dash. Maybe next week...
Thanks again, Mark

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2001 3500 QC 4X4 SLT ETH/DEE 3. 54 TOW GROUP B+W TURNOVER HITCH, LINEX BED,RAILS+ROCKERS

 

[Jim Norton]

on my 98 I took out the left taillight assm. (2 screws) and tapped on the backup wire. I also had power to the rear for lights inside topper so I put a switch in the circuit so I can turn on the lights from the back for hooking up trailers ect. the original backup lights will come on also,if that bothers you buy a diode from Radio Shack and put it in between the new switch and original lights.

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JCN
98 QC,Gitkit,transgo shiftkit, muff. elim. ,combo gauge on a pillar,homemade britebox,ten dollar cooldown timer,hightech fast idle.