Putco Freedom blade on 2023 GMC Sierra Denalli (BEWARE)

diyer2 · October 5, 2023

Sometimes our desires get us into trouble. Been there.

Pyrojodge · October 5, 2023

48 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Sometimes our desires get us into trouble. Been there.

Yes, it seems so in this case...

Naughty Donkey Performance · October 6, 2023

9 hours ago, Pyrojodge said:

Yes, it seems so in this case...

Brother, drop the $80 bucks and enjoy the product I did the video referenced above and this guy did the freedom blade as well.

Check it out and sorry you have a bad experience with it thus far, forget the so called mechanics or "installers" you don't need them.

Edited October 6, 2023 by Naughty Donkey Performance
addl info

Pyrojodge · October 6, 2023

15 hours ago, Naughty Donkey Performance said:

Brother, drop the $80 bucks and enjoy the product I did the video referenced above and this guy did the freedom blade as well.

Check it out and sorry you have a bad experience with it thus far, forget the so called mechanics or "installers" you don't need them.

Yes, I watched the video above many times. I've doble checked even after watching this after the fact. Not sure what you mean about spending the extra $80? Are you referring to the remote option? If that's the case, I did also have the remote added in to control what the blade functions are set as. I'm just very disappointed with Putco and their customer service because they've been radio silent for 3 weeks now. No communication or solution proposed at this time. Just wanted to save others the headache with this Freedom Blade and the NEW GM trucks as there is a problem.

eppieguy · October 6, 2023

I know you didn't ask for this but I think it may be a great solution for you, I have it and love it, super bright reverse & brake light and running light as well. No tapping, fuses or mess, simple plug and play, 3 minute install, easily removed if you need to tow something.

https://www.diodedynamics.com/hitchmount-led-pod-reverse-kit-for-2019-2023-gmc-sierra-1500.html

Naughty Donkey Performance · October 6, 2023

3 hours ago, Pyrojodge said:

Yes, I watched the video above many times. I've doble checked even after watching this after the fact. Not sure what you mean about spending the extra $80? Are you referring to the remote option? If that's the case, I did also have the remote added in to control what the blade functions are set as. I'm just very disappointed with Putco and their customer service because they've been radio silent for 3 weeks now. No communication or solution proposed at this time. Just wanted to save others the headache with this Freedom Blade and the NEW GM trucks as there is a problem.

The Harness was like $80 bucks for me, I LOVE how mine looks and the reverse lights are ludicrous with the LED bulbs I put in the factory reverse bulb locations as well.

Hopefully you get this worked out I agree PUTCO is f'ing up email them and tell them you are on this HUGE forum and their Repuation is at risk if they don't help you out.

Naughty Donkey Performance · October 7, 2023

17 hours ago, Naughty Donkey Performance said:

The Harness was like $80 bucks for me, I LOVE how mine looks and the reverse lights are ludicrous with the LED bulbs I put in the factory reverse bulb locations as well.

Hopefully you get this worked out I agree PUTCO is f'ing up email them and tell them you are on this HUGE forum and their Repuation is at risk if they don't help you out.

Hey try this as well buddy, again just do it yourself most "mechanics" I have found are buffoons these days a true pro is a rare breed that takes time to do things right.

Pyrojodge · October 9, 2023

On 10/7/2023 at 9:35 AM, Naughty Donkey Performance said:

Hey try this as well buddy, again just do it yourself most "mechanics" I have found are buffoons these days a true pro is a rare breed that takes time to do things right.

Thanks for this, I'm going to try this method to tap a power source.

Pyrojodge · October 24, 2023

Hello All,

For anyone wanting an update I have one, over a MONTH later. I finally talked to someone at Putco about the issue. They have sent me a new relay to try and see if that solves my problem. I told them about the DONSLIFE video where he had the same issue I was seeing. They had no idea about that video, and I thank the user that shared that with me. I have done the change like he showed, and I now have no issues. We are going to swap the relay module next week and wire it back to how Putco suggest helping them troubleshoot the problem. If this has the same error, then I will place it back inside the cab and draw from the USB fuse and move forward. Putco made a verbal promise to make things right once we can track down the issue so I hope that I can have a closing post with the problem.

Edited October 24, 2023 by Pyrojodge

Naughty Donkey Performance · October 24, 2023

9 hours ago, Pyrojodge said:

Hello All,

For anyone wanting an update I have one, over a MONTH later. I finally talked to someone at Putco about the issue. They have sent me a new relay to try and see if that solves my problem. I told them about the DONSLIFE video where he had the same issue I was seeing. They had no idea about that video, and I thank the user that shared that with me. I have done the change like he showed, and I now have no issues. We are going to swap the relay module next week and wire it back to how Putco suggest helping them troubleshoot the problem. If this has the same error, then I will place it back inside the cab and draw from the USB fuse and move forward. Putco made a verbal promise to make things right once we can track down the issue so I hope that I can have a closing post with the problem.

Awesome to hear, once you get this all behind you it will be worth it and you will be more confident in tackling this stuff in the future.

Cheers

Pyrojodge · October 30, 2023

Update** 3

We unhooked the old harness which did not have a relay in line and installed the new harness with a relay and we still have the light. We undid the new harness and put the old one back in tapping into the USB fuse on the passenger side in the cab. No light and works as advertised with this set up. I have to wait a week to hear back from Putco because, "It's SEMA week and there's no one here to support you". It's been a month and a half, and I believe I've been more than patient with Putco and getting this resolved. I'll wait till after next week and see if they return my call and emails from this week after the show and see what they want to do.

Jus Cruisin · October 30, 2023

Just sounds like Putco needs to change their power access point in the instructions. Sounds like that simple change corrects the issue.

Pyrojodge · November 21, 2023

*** Final Update ***

Well, after a few months of Putco ignoring my issues with the freedom blade. They have offered to give me $300 Putco credit to use for whatever I want. They don't suggest the location of using the cab USB fuse location, but even after their new harness with the relay I still had a service engine light come on tied to the aero shutters. I tried to explain my frustration and they kept repeating that this is the location that their engineering suggests. I even offered to have them look at my truck because I can repeat the problem so they can fix it. I'm sure I can't be the only one that will experience this issue with how they suggest wiring it up. For now, I'm giving up and leaving the blade wired up how Don's Life showed to the USB fuse in the cab as I get no errors and works as expected. Frustrating process and a large lack of response from Putco in my opinion. We will see if they ever reach out in the future as they suggested they would. I won't hold my breath as I have initiated all but 2 calls in the past 3 months.

dieselfan1 · November 21, 2023

On 10/6/2023 at 3:21 PM, Naughty Donkey Performance said:

tell them you are on this HUGE forum and their Repuation is at risk if they don't help you out.

I can assure you, they could care less.

glockman03 · 2024-11-19T00:42:20Z

That’s sucks…..I bought my freedom blade on 9/23 and it has worked since….no CEL or lights not working. This was installed by me on my 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country 3.0 @ about 400 miles. I recently(11/24) bought the Virtual blade led light bar for the grille, hopefully this one goes on with no issues as well. Hopefully you get the issues resolved. I’ve always had the pleasure of speaking to Will, great customer service and very helpful.