I've been looking for a photo showing where the reverse light wiring breaks off from the rear lamp harness and goes into the tailgate. I've got a new tailgate and only see threaded bolt holes in it and don't have my old one for reference.

Does anybody have a photo they can post or link to? TIA!

If the 72 set-up is like the 69's, there's a large rectangular hole in the bottom of the tailgate. The wires go thru a rubber hose/grommet, into the hole, and up to the reverse lights. The wire doesn't "unplug". It's part on the tail light harness.

Yes, and that harness is about $135. The harness includes the brake lamps, gas gauge, plate lamp and reverse lamp leads. I don't think you can get the boot. There is also a metal bracket that clips onto the boot and then screws into the left tailgate hinge to secure that harness. Don't think you can get this anymore either. You'll see a hole drilled into your left hinge where the bracket screws into. The ends of the harness clip into a runner on the inside of the tailgate with plastic wire clips. There should be a black female boot that plug into each reverse lense assembly.

Al

If the 72 set-up is like the 69's, there's a large rectangular hole in the bottom of the tailgate. The wires go thru a rubber hose/grommet, into the hole, and up to the reverse lights. The wire doesn't "unplug". It's part on the tail light harness.
Hmmm, the only holes I saw at the bottom were the 2 long thin slots for water drainage. The rubber pieces for my original harness were toast and the new one didn't come with those, so I guess I'll have to get creative. Thanks for the info! :beers:

Yes, and that harness is about $135. The harness includes the brake lamps, gas gauge, plate lamp and reverse lamp leads. I don't think you can get the boot. There is also a metal bracket that clips onto the boot and then screws into the left tailgate hinge to secure that harness. Don't think you can get this anymore either. You'll see a hole drilled into your left hinge where the bracket screws into. The ends of the harness clip into a runner on the inside of the tailgate with plastic wire clips. There should be a black female boot that plug into each reverse lense assembly.

Al
I was thinking it must come up somewhere on the driver's side, based on the way the harness is laid out. I'll look for that hole on the hinge. Looks like I'll just have to rig up something with off the shelf wiring accessories. Thanks! :thumbsup:

You're welcome, Dave. The hole Bill was talking about is on the left side a few inches from the end where those two drain holes are. If you need the exact measurments and a picture, let me know and I'll send one to you. An alternative could be a hole. You could easily drill a hole for a grommet and run the leads thru it. There might be a knockout tab for it. Take a close look. Also, I'm referring to a 1970, but '68 - '72 are all probably the same.

I can get you pictures of the hole, boot and bracket for you tomorrow. Let me know.

Al

Here's a shot of mine. The wire comes up from under the bumper, then into the rubber hose/grommet in the left side of the tailgate bottom. This pic was taken before the bracket was installed, that holds the rubber to the tailgate hinge.

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee335/wrrose/tailgateharness.jpg

There ya have it, Dave! Better than any pic I could supply.

Unfortunately, nobody reproduces the rubber hose/grommet and 99.9% of the originals have succumbed to dry rot. I was lucky enough to find an original in good serviceable condition but that was after calling all over around the country to dealers who deal in used parts. Fortunately, my metal clip (missing from Bill's photo) was in good condition but I highly doubt if any of those can be found either.

Here's a shot of mine. The wire comes up from under the bumper, then into the rubber hose/grommet in the left side of the tailgate bottom. This pic was taken before the bracket was installed, that holds the rubber to the tailgate hinge.

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee335/wrrose/tailgateharness.jpg

Her's another pic I found with the clip.
http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee335/wrrose/clip.jpg

Beautiful Bill. Mine has a cross-tip/phillip screw, but the same idea for sure.

Dave should get a good idea from all this.

Thanks for the photos Bill! That helps a lot.

For some reason, the reproduction tailgate I have didn't have a hole there (maybe because of the year that had the reflectors in the tailgate). But that's no big deal, as I can make one with an idea where it should be.

My repro tailgate didn't have the square hole, I drilled.:beers: