How do you guys wire in a LED strip under the tailgate?

[Waffle34]

Im no stranger to properly doing electrical work but curious if you've guys found an LED strip that sticks well (or mounts more permanently) and how you went about wiring it up. I assume the easiest is to just splice into the flat 4 towing plug wiring right?

[J.H.2015LT]

5 hours ago, Waffle34 said:

Im no stranger to properly doing electrical work but curious if you've guys found an LED strip that sticks well (or mounts more permanently) and how you went about wiring it up. I assume the easiest is to just splice into the flat 4 towing plug wiring right?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D7LJX4L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

This is what I used. I have the putco blade tailgate light. This connector plugs in between the truck factory wiring and the 7 pin connector on the bumper of the truck. The four pin pig tail is where I connected my light bar. This way I don't tie up the 7 pin or the 4 pin connector on the bumper.

[catpartsman]

This is what I used and have had ZERO issues with it. It’s rigid and bright.

OPT7 60" Redline LED Tailgate Light Bar - TriCore LED - Weatherproof Rigid Aluminum No-Drill Install - Full Featured Reverse Running Brake Turn Signal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z8TGR4G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tw.NFb8HD0Q1V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I also hard wired mine right into the tail, reverse and brake lights. (I didn’t know about the putco option at the time or else that’s the way I would have went. )


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[WACKEM_G]

Been wanting to do one of these specifically the putco I but have read bad reviews on lights failing quick!

 

 

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[catpartsman]

The one I originally purchased failed with in a few months. The Opt7 one has been going strong for almost two years now with no issues what so ever. The added light when reversing is nice plus the added brake and turn lights make it worth it.


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[Waffle34]

Does the added lights wash out the backup camera at night?

[RyanbabZ71]

Does the added lights wash out the backup camera at night?

No

I am running the Putco bar with the harness




Ryan B.

[Waffle34]

20 hours ago, WACKEM_G said:

Been wanting to do one of these specifically the putco I but have read bad reviews on lights failing quick!

 

 

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yea thats my concern - i see aot of trucks with em and they do help visibility but i have seen alot of crap ones. Or after a few year sit goes from clear to yellowed 

[Pearl2017]

+1 on the opt7 with a Y harness almost 2 years no problem.

[jscottl]

5 way allows for hooking up everything. Brakes/turns, tails, and reverse.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-56584-Custom-Wiring-Harness/dp/B007EA6WQU/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9K26TTTBQ6VKBDHEWCJ4

[3rdrock]

On 11/2/2020 at 7:05 AM, catpartsman said:

This is what I used and have had ZERO issues with it. It’s rigid and bright.

OPT7 60" Redline LED Tailgate Light Bar - TriCore LED - Weatherproof Rigid Aluminum No-Drill Install - Full Featured Reverse Running Brake Turn Signal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z8TGR4G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tw.NFb8HD0Q1V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I also hard wired mine right into the tail, reverse and brake lights. (I didn’t know about the putco option at the time or else that’s the way I would have went. )


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Me too.

1 year with no problems.

[Waffle34]

On 11/6/2020 at 8:09 PM, jscottl said:

5 way allows for hooking up everything. Brakes/turns, tails, and reverse.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-56584-Custom-Wiring-Harness/dp/B007EA6WQU/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9K26TTTBQ6VKBDHEWCJ4

oh cool perfect! thanks

 

for those of you with the opt7 lights - i see it has double sided tape as a mount - i think when LineX sprayed my bed they went down to where it would mount aka the sticky tape is useless - is there any other mount options for it?

Edited November 9, 2020 by Waffle34

[Ravenkeeper]

I bought:

CURT 56584 Replacement Vehicle-Side Custom USCAR 5-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness

CURT 58030 Trailer-Side 4-Pin Flat Wiring Harness with 12-Inch Wires

 

Tonight/tomorrow, I'm going to splice the two together, so I'll have a 5-pin AND a 4-pin.  The 5-pin will be for my tailgate LED light bar, and the 4-pin will be for my tow hitch brake/tail light (Bully CR-007A).  The blue wire is tapped into the reverse thru the 7-pin connectors, which connect behind the 7-pin on the bumper.

 

I'm still debating putting the turn signal eliminator, from an old tow hitch brake/tail light, in the main harness for both the 4-pin and the 5-pin.

[Kyleorsini]

I’ve had my putco blade for a couple years now, first one delivered came damaged, quick email and new one sent, installed, 6-12 months later (guesstimating on timeline) only certain light functions worked, quick email netted a response of cut the light bar wiring close to the bar and send a picture, did that and they sent me
A new one no questions asked. I’m up in ****** winter weather prairie Canada And it’s been great, iirc it has a 2 or 3 year warranty but don’t quote me on that, and if I’m right on that it shows a lot of the company standing behind a electrical light product for a vehicle most things like that are a 1year so while the price is a bit more it’s definitely a nicer looking products. I will add that the warranty replacement for the failed second one has a different computer box on it and it looked a bit more stout in terms of keeping all the road muck outta it so clearly they have had a revision or so on it


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