Gobs1 update: since you can't legally drive w/o taillights I took it to a short-circuit finder, cost $140. Turns out the Tygon tubing got clogged and the well next to the spare got filled w/ water this submerged the rear drivers side running light this submerging caused a meltdown of the light socket which caused the taillight fuse to blow. "There is no such thing as a free lunch."
Thank you Automotive Forum.
Question: What is the TYGON tubing for, what does it drain??