Putco Blade LED Light Bar on 2020 GMC Heavy Duty with MultiPro Tailgate?

Say When · January 25, 2020

Hi:

Have any GM-Trucks.com members installed the Putco Blade LED Light Bar on a 2020 GMC Heavy Duty with MultiPro Tailgate?

If yes, please describe scope of work & level of difficulty.

Thank you.

Kind regards.

cdh7917 · January 25, 2020

Yes, I have it installed, and so does a friend. Both are 2020 AT4 HD trucks.

It’s not hard for the install, but the tailgate must come off. For our installs, we didn’t disconnect wiring for the tailgate. Simply unbolt the tailgate tethers on each side, remove it and lay it on the inside surface with the drivers side half laying on the bed, and the passenger side hanging off the end of the bed. Tailgate removal isn’t a one person job.

From there, the light bad has adhesive clips that attach to the truck, and the light bar clips into them. The wiring basically installs a jumper on to each side taillight, using factory style connectors. The reverse wire is separate, but easy. Truly the wiring is plug n’ play.

After that, just reinstall the tailgate and reattach the tethers. That’s it.

Plan for an hour total, but it’ll probably be less. It’s bright as hell too and worth adding. The reverse lights on the light bar are excellent.

Say When · January 25, 2020

Hi “cdh7917":

Thank you very much for your informative reply!

Much appreciated!

Putco sent me the hyperlink below.

The thread includes a NOTE about “...a bracket that prevents the tailgate from moving laterally...”.

Have you seen it?

https://www.putco.com/forum/forum/lighting/led-light-bars/74-2019-silverado-sierra-blade-does-not-turn-on-or-fit-answered-resolved

Did you use the Putco harness Part# 529005 in your installation?

Thank again!

Much obliged.

Edited January 25, 2020 by Say When

cdh7917 · January 25, 2020

Yes, that lateral tailgate bracket is in the way. I hadn't seen that update to the instructions, so we did our install slightly different.

We cut one of the mounting bracket in half and attached a half on either side of that bracket, spaced outwards from the bracket by a couple inches.

To the left of the bracket, there isn't much space and it turned out the bracket half wasn't able to stay attached to the truck. So we picked up some adhesive-backed zip tie mounts and put them under the black end of the light bar only on the driver's side (this is the part on each end that doesn't actually have lights in it and is how the bar is terminated).

From there, a simple zip tie has been holding down the end of the light bar without any issues. I'll see if I can get a decent photo to upload.

Also, I ordered GMvPart No. : 19418352 from my local Chevrolet dealer. It included everything needed for the install, including the Putco harness.

ETA: Was able to get a good picture.

Edited January 25, 2020 by cdh7917