Installation guide for the Pacific Peak Overland third brake light housing and Diode Dynamics SS10 Chase Light mount, for the 5th generation Toyota 4Runner.
5th Gen 4Runner Third Brake Light Housing with the Diode Dynamics SS10 Chase Light installed.
5th Gen 4Runner Third Brake Light Housing
Diode Dynamics SS10 Chase Light Mount
Overview
This housing replaces the factory third brake light and mounts a Diode Dynamics SS10 LED Chase Light in its place. It secures using the vehicle's existing third brake light mounting points combined with pre-applied VHB adhesive. No drilling, cutting, or permanent modification to the vehicle is required.
The installation is divided into four phases. Read all four before starting so you understand the full sequence.
- Housing preparation. Performed on a workbench. The SS10 is seated in the housing, the lid is reinstalled, and the light is secured with the hardware supplied by Diode Dynamics.
- OEM third brake light removal. Two screws are removed, the factory lamp is disconnected and set aside, and the mounting surface is cleaned to prepare it for the adhesive.
- Wiring (reference only). Optional but strongly recommended before mounting. Wiring is unique to each vehicle and setup, so this guide defers to Diode Dynamics' documentation and provides the installer's own routing as one example.
- Housing installation. Threaded rods are installed into the factory mounting points, the housing is test fitted and aligned, the adhesive is exposed and bonded, and the flange nuts are secured.
Kit Contents
| Qty | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Housing with removable lid |
| 2 | M4 threaded rod, 25mm |
| 2 | M4 flange nut |
| 2 | VHB adhesive strips (pre-applied to housing) |
Tools Required
| Tool | Used For |
|---|---|
| #2 Phillips screwdriver | OEM third brake light removal |
| 10mm nut driver or wrench | SS10 mounting bolts |
| 7mm nut driver | Housing flange nuts |
| Isopropyl alcohol and lint-free cloth | Mounting surface preparation |
Not included: The Diode Dynamics SS10 LED Chase Light and all associated wiring, connectors, and extension harnesses, unless purchased as part of a bundle that lists the light in its contents.
1. Housing Preparation
Complete this section on a clean, flat work surface before going to the vehicle. Do not remove the protective liner from the VHB adhesive strips at any point during this section.
- Remove the lid from the housing. Depress the retention detent on one or both sides of the lid, then lift the lid away from the housing body. No tools are required.
- Orient the SS10 so that its wiring lead exits the upper left corner of the light as viewed from the front face of the housing. Route the lead through the pass-through at the rear of the housing before seating the light in the cavity. Feeding the lead through first prevents strain on the wire and allows the light to sit flat.
- Push the SS10 fully forward until it contacts the front face of the housing. Confirm that the light is seated flat against the floor of the housing across its full length. A light that is not fully seated will prevent the lid from closing correctly.
- Center the light left to right within the housing, then reinstall the lid. Confirm that the lid engages at both sides and at the rear. The front edge may seat without an audible click, which is normal.
- Hand-thread the two M6 flange bolts supplied with the SS10 through the housing and into the light. Alternate side to side in small increments so that neither side is drawn down ahead of the other.
- Using a 10mm nut driver or wrench, snug the bolts only. Stop as soon as they feel firm.
- Housing preparation is complete. Leave the adhesive liner in place until directed in Section 4.
2. OEM Third Brake Light Removal
Park the vehicle on level ground and turn the ignition off before beginning this section.
- Locate the two Phillips screws securing the OEM third brake light to the spoiler. These are accessed externally from the underside of the light assembly and can be reached with the rear hatch closed. Remove both screws using a #2 Phillips screwdriver.
- Slide the OEM assembly forward and away from the spoiler to expose the factory harness connector.
- Disconnect the factory harness connector by depressing the release tab and pulling the connector body straight apart. Do not pull on the wiring.
- Tuck the disconnected factory connector back into the spoiler, clear of the mounting area.
- Set the OEM assembly and its hardware aside for storage.
- Inspect the exposed mounting area and remove any accumulated dirt, road debris, or wax.
- Clean the mounting surface with isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) or a comparable wax and grease remover. Wipe with a clean, lint-free cloth and allow the surface to dry completely before proceeding.
3. Wiring (Reference Only)
Wiring requirements vary significantly between vehicles and between installers. Your desired functionality, your existing accessory wiring, and whether you run a switch system will all determine the correct approach for your vehicle. There is no single correct method, and the approach documented below will not suit every installation.
Wiring is not required to be completed before mounting the housing, but it is strongly recommended. Access is significantly easier with the housing off the vehicle, and completing the wiring first avoids disturbing a freshly bonded adhesive joint.
SS10 Input Reference
The SS10 uses signal-based inputs. No relay harness or direct battery connection is required. Each function activates when 12V is applied to the corresponding input.
| Wire | Function |
|---|---|
| Red | Brake signal input |
| Blue | Reverse or cargo light input |
| Yellow | Chase activation (switch or controller) |
| Black | Ground |
Reference Installation
The following describes the installer's own configuration on a 5th generation 4Runner. Treat it as an illustration of one workable routing path, not as instructions.
- Signal sourcing. The factory wiring present at the spoiler carries the brake signal only. Tapping it there yields brake functionality but provides no reverse signal and no chase circuit. To obtain both brake and reverse from a single access point, the brake, reverse, and ground conductors were instead run to the driver side taillight, where both signals are available.
- Routing, brake and reverse circuits. These three conductors were routed through the spoiler, out through the factory spoiler grommet, into the headliner, and down the C pillar to the taillight wiring area.
- Routing, chase circuit. The chase conductor followed the same path into the headliner, then forward along the headliner to the front of the vehicle, down the A pillar, into the driver footwell, and through the firewall to a switch panel. The reference vehicle uses a D-Switch switch panel.
- Terminations. Installers should use whatever termination method they judge appropriate. On the reference vehicle, connections to the Diode Dynamics supplied Deutsch connector were made with solder seal butt connectors, and connections at the taillight harness were made with insulation displacement taps (T-taps).
- Spoiler removal. Routing the conductors is considerably easier with the spoiler removed. Several third party video walkthroughs covering 5th generation 4Runner spoiler removal are available online. A Pacific Peak Overland walkthrough is in production.
Function Verification
Before proceeding to Section 4, connect the SS10 and verify that the brake, reverse, and chase functions all operate as intended. Correcting a wiring fault is substantially more difficult once the housing is mounted and bonded to the vehicle. The SmartTap programming sensor remains accessible with the housing installed, so patterns may be configured at any time.
4. Housing Installation
Do not remove the VHB protective liner until directed in step 5.
- Hand-thread the two supplied M4 threaded rods into the factory threaded nuts remaining in the spoiler. Thread each rod in fully by hand. The rods do not need to be tight at this stage.
- Test fit the housing before removing the adhesive liner. Slide the housing onto the threaded rods and confirm that it sits flush against the spoiler. Surplus wire may be managed within the rear portion of the housing. Lowering the rear window and opening the rear hatch lets you view the mounting points head on rather than from underneath, which makes alignment considerably easier.
- With the housing test fitted, connect the SS10 to your wiring using the Deutsch connector supplied by Diode Dynamics.
- Center each threaded rod within its slotted hole as closely as possible. The holes are intentionally slotted to accommodate minor variation between vehicles, but positioning the housing hard against one end of a slot will make it difficult or impossible to start the flange nut.
- Once you are satisfied with the position, remove the housing from the rods and peel the protective liner from both adhesive strips. Reinstall the housing onto the rods, again centering each rod within its slot, then press the housing firmly against the spoiler along its full length.
- Install the two supplied M4 flange nuts. Start both nuts by hand before tightening either one, then tighten to a snug fit using a 7mm nut driver.
- Confirm that the housing is secure and sits flush against the spoiler, and verify all light functions a final time.
- Allow the adhesive to cure. Avoid pressure washing, automatic car washes, and other high-pressure water contact with the housing for 72 hours following installation.
Correcting a Misaligned Housing
If a flange nut will not start, the threaded rod is almost certainly not centered within its slot. The housing must be removed and repositioned. Removing the housing after the adhesive has contacted the vehicle will typically render the pre-applied adhesive strips unusable. Replacement tape is 3M VHB 5952 and is widely available from online retailers. To reapply, remove all remaining adhesive and residue from both the housing and the vehicle, clean both surfaces with isopropyl alcohol, allow to dry, and apply new tape to the housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Housing and Hardware
The lid does not click when it seats at the front. Is something wrong?
No. The lid engages positively at both sides and at the rear. The front edge frequently seats without an audible click. Confirm engagement at the sides and rear and continue.
The lid is bowing upward after tightening the SS10 bolts.
The bolts are too tight. Back them off until the lid sits flat again. These bolts locate and stabilize the light only. They are not what holds the assembly to the vehicle, so there is no benefit to additional torque and real risk of cracking the housing.
How tight is "snug"?
Firm hand pressure on a nut driver, no more. If you find yourself bracing or pulling hard, you have gone too far. Use a nut driver or wrench rather than a ratchet and socket, which makes overtightening far easier.
The lid will not close, or the light sits proud of the housing.
The SS10 is most likely not seated fully forward against the front face of the housing, or not sitting flat on the housing floor. Remove the lid, reseat the light, and try again.
Removal and Mounting
Do I need to remove the spoiler or any interior trim to install the housing?
No. The housing installs with two screws removed from outside the vehicle. Spoiler removal is only relevant if you choose to route wiring through the spoiler, where it makes the job considerably easier.
What do I do with the OEM screws and third brake light?
Keep both. Neither is reused, but the screws are vehicle-specific and not readily replaced. Storing them with the OEM lamp lets you return the vehicle to stock at any time.
I cannot get a flange nut started on the threaded rod.
The rod is not centered within its slotted hole. Remove the housing, recenter both rods within their slots, and reinstall. Expect to replace the adhesive strips if the tape has already contacted the vehicle.
I removed the housing and ruined the adhesive. Can I get more?
Yes. The tape is 3M VHB 5952 and is widely available from online retailers. Remove all old adhesive and residue from both surfaces, clean with isopropyl alcohol, allow to dry, and apply fresh tape to the housing.
Can I install this in cold weather?
It is not recommended. VHB adhesive bonds best at 60F (16C) or above. Installing in cold conditions significantly reduces initial bond strength.
When can I wash the vehicle?
Wait 72 hours before pressure washing, using an automatic car wash, or otherwise directing high-pressure water at the housing.
Wiring and Operation
Can I just tap into the factory wiring at the spoiler?
You can, but it will give you brake functionality only. The factory wiring at the spoiler carries no reverse signal and no chase circuit. Sourcing reverse requires running to a location where that signal is available.
Do I need a switch panel such as a D-Switch?
Only for the chase function, which requires a switched 12V input. Brake and reverse operate from vehicle signals without any switch.
Can I still program SmartTap patterns after the housing is installed?
Yes. The programming sensor remains accessible with the housing mounted.
One of my functions does not work after installation.
Verify wiring at the source with a multimeter and consult Diode Dynamics' installation documentation for the light. This is why we recommend testing all three functions before the housing is bonded to the vehicle.
Is this legal to run on the road?
Brake and reverse functions replace factory equipment and are intended for road use. The chase function is intended for off-road use only. Flashing and strobing lighting is restricted or prohibited on public roads in many jurisdictions, and compliance is the responsibility of the vehicle owner and operator.
Warranty and Support
Pacific Peak Overland warrants this housing against defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product. If the housing fails under normal use as a result of a manufacturing defect, it will be repaired or replaced at no cost.
This warranty extends to the original purchaser only and is not transferable. It does not cover damage resulting from improper installation, overtightening of hardware, collision, abrasive or chemical damage, modification of the product, or normal cosmetic wear. It does not cover the Diode Dynamics SS10 LED Chase Light, which is warranted separately by Diode Dynamics.
contact@pacificpeakoverland.com
View the 5th Gen 4Runner Third Brake Light Housing
Terms, Disclaimers, and Regulatory Notice
Product identification. This product is an aftermarket accessory designed and sold by Pacific Peak Overland. It is not manufactured, distributed, endorsed, sponsored, or supported by Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor North America, or Diode Dynamics LLC. All vehicle and product names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used for identification and fitment reference only.
Assumption of risk. Installation of this product modifies the vehicle from its factory configuration. Vehicle modification carries inherent risk of property damage and personal injury. By purchasing and installing this product, the installer and vehicle owner acknowledge and accept those risks in full.
Disclaimer of liability. Pacific Peak Overland does not perform, supervise, inspect, or verify the installation of this product, and has no control over the tools, methods, conditions, skill level, or judgment applied by the installer. Pacific Peak Overland therefore disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, cost, or injury arising out of or related to: improper, incomplete, or negligent installation; failure to follow the procedures set out in this guide; overtightening, cross-threading, or other damage to fasteners, threaded inserts, or vehicle structure; adhesive failure resulting from inadequate surface preparation, ambient temperature, or insufficient cure time; wiring, splicing, tapping, routing, or electrical work performed by the installer or any third party; use of hardware, adhesives, fasteners, or components other than those supplied; modification, alteration, drilling, cutting, or refinishing of the product; use of the product in any application other than the vehicle configuration for which it is specified; separation or loss of the product or any component while the vehicle is in motion; and any resulting damage to the vehicle, the product, other vehicles, or other property, or any injury to persons.
Limitation of remedies. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Pacific Peak Overland's total liability arising from any claim related to this product shall not exceed the purchase price paid for the product. Pacific Peak Overland shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damages of any kind, including without limitation loss of use, loss of income, rental costs, towing, storage, diagnostic charges, labor costs, paint or bodywork, damage to associated components, or costs of removal or reinstallation.
Third-party components. The Diode Dynamics SS10 LED Chase Light and all associated hardware, wiring, and connectors are products of Diode Dynamics LLC and are subject to that manufacturer's own instructions, specifications, and warranty. Pacific Peak Overland makes no representation or warranty regarding third-party components and is not responsible for their performance, fitment, or failure.
Regulatory and roadway use. This product relocates and replaces the vehicle's factory center high mounted stop lamp. The installer is solely responsible for verifying that the completed installation provides functional, visible brake lighting and complies with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local motor vehicle equipment requirements. Flashing, strobing, pulsing, and auxiliary lighting are restricted or prohibited on public roadways in many jurisdictions. The chase function is intended for off-road use only. Determining and maintaining compliance with all applicable law is the sole responsibility of the vehicle owner and operator.
Vehicle warranty. Installation of aftermarket accessories may affect coverage under the vehicle manufacturer's warranty. Consult your dealer if this is a concern.
Professional installation. If you are not fully confident performing any portion of this installation, do not proceed. Have the work completed by a qualified professional.