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Tailgate light bar

Bullofthewoods

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Just installed my OPT7 light bar. Easier than I thought with the CURT 56584 harness. Like a previous guy said save yourself time and don’t mess with the tail light to wire the reverse white light. I just took the additional wiring connector they included in the kit cut off the other colors and only kept the white reverse light. I connected to the curt harness white wire added a little electrical tape and bam you’re in business. Hooks up perfect. You’ll need 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch vinyl spacers and longer self tapping/drilling screws. I didn’t take my tailgate off or use a drill. Looks great and the reverse lighting is really bright.

I didn’t realize how weak all the lighting was on my bighorn. Next MOD interior and exterior lighting!!!
Do you have the backup camera? I ordered the Putman split 18 inch system but would prefer the 1 piece. Have not installed it yet.
 

ktl5005

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Will be working on my install tonight. Putco Blade dual 18" and Curt 56584 connector. Couldn't justify the Putco harness being 40$ more.
 

dts828

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Will be working on my install tonight. Putco Blade dual 18" and Curt 56584 connector. Couldn't justify the Putco harness being 40$ more.
Post a video once completed. I would like to see how the dual 18's looks compared to the 60".
 

BobbyLeeSniper

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Forgive the um mess:ROFLMAO:

Pulled the tailgate and dropped the Spare for extra room. I think most people used self tappers, but I ended up tapping the holes slightly larger on the 4 clamps/brackets and used #8-32 1" stainless steal screw with an oversized washer and locking washer on the backside. Used 1/4 Nylon spacers on the ends, and 1/2" in the middle.

Used the Curt Wire Harness, however, My HomeDepot does not carry a Bullet connector large enough to fit snug into the harness for the reverse light. So I took the largest connector and just spread the end open, then taped and zip tied the reverse wire to the harness.

While the delay isnt bad, I think im going to make the attempt to make a splitter harness to tie in between the factory harness and taillights to feed the light bar. Ive already priced out parts and everything needed. Should be an interesting project.

Not sure if the video plays or not, its been a few years since Ive had to embed a video into a forum
 
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ClayFire2

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Forgive the um mess

Pulled the tailgate and dropped the Spare for extra room. I think most people used self tappers, but I ended up tapping the holes slightly larger on the 4 clamps/brackets and used #8-32 1" stainless steal screw with an oversized washer and locking washer on the backside. Used 1/4 Nylon spacers on the ends, and 1/2" in the middle.

Used the Curt Wire Harness, however, My HomeDepot does not carry a Bullet connector large enough to fit snug into the harness for the reverse light. So I took the largest connector and just spread the end open, then taped and zip tied the reverse wire to the harness.

While the delay isnt bad, I think im going to make the attempt to make a splitter harness to tie in between the factory harness and taillights to feed the light bar. Ive already priced out parts and everything needed. Should be an interesting project.

Not sure if the video plays or not, its been a few years since Ive had to embed a video into a forum
I'll be doing this shortly waiting for my 60 inch bar to come in. Can you take a picture of where you installed the clamps? Did you do the end ones as far on the plastic as you could or what? Thanks ahead of time!

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
 

ktl5005

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Forgive the um mess:ROFLMAO:

Pulled the tailgate and dropped the Spare for extra room. I think most people used self tappers, but I ended up tapping the holes slightly larger on the 4 clamps/brackets and used #8-32 1" stainless steal screw with an oversized washer and locking washer on the backside. Used 1/4 Nylon spacers on the ends, and 1/2" in the middle.

Used the Curt Wire Harness, however, My HomeDepot does not carry a Bullet connector large enough to fit snug into the harness for the reverse light. So I took the largest connector and just spread the end open, then taped and zip tied the reverse wire to the harness.

While the delay isnt bad, I think im going to make the attempt to make a splitter harness to tie in between the factory harness and taillights to feed the light bar. Ive already priced out parts and everything needed. Should be an interesting project.

Not sure if the video plays or not, its been a few years since Ive had to embed a video into a forum
Had to go to my local auto parts store for the correct thickness bullet connector. Think it was .176"
 

BobbyLeeSniper

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Heres a better Video


I'll be doing this shortly waiting for my 60 inch bar to come in. Can you take a picture of where you installed the clamps? Did you do the end ones as far on the plastic as you could or what? Thanks ahead of time!

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk

Mine are not perfectly spaced, but close enough. I have the clamps/clips 5-6" from each end, and then about 15" in from those.
20200611_145601.jpg 20200611_145556.jpg 20200611_145525.jpg

Had to go to my local auto parts store for the correct thickness bullet connector. Think it was .176"
Heres what Mine looks like. If this was going to be long term, I would swap out the end, but since I plan on making an actual harness, this works for now.
20200611_145651.jpg


Here is how I screwed mine in. Was also going to use loctite, but forgot to apply it. If any nuts come loose, Ill go through and add loctite
20200611_145625.jpg
 

ClayFire2

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Heres a better Video




Mine are not perfectly spaced, but close enough. I have the clamps/clips 5-6" from each end, and then about 15" in from those.
View attachment 58792 View attachment 58791 View attachment 58790


Heres what Mine looks like. If this was going to be long term, I would swap out the end, but since I plan on making an actual harness, this works for now.
View attachment 58793


Here is how I screwed mine in. Was also going to use loctite, but forgot to apply it. If any nuts come loose, Ill go through and add loctite
View attachment 58794
Thanks for the info! Looks good, I'm getting the putco inline harness for the 7 wire so I'm hoping the delay is better or gone!

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
 

ktl5005

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Thanks for the info! Looks good, I'm getting the putco inline harness for the 7 wire so I'm hoping the delay is better or gone!

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
Every bar has a delay no matter what. If you try to direct wire to tail lights then you loose the brake feature because they run in the same line.
 

ClayFire2

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Every bar has a delay no matter what. If you try to direct wire to tail lights then you loose the brake feature because they run in the same line.
Awesome....

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk
 

jcues01

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Has anyone tried to install the OPT7 with the multifunction tailgate? Wondering if the gap between the bumper and the bottom of the tailgate is smaller?
 

Skater

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Heres a better Video




Mine are not perfectly spaced, but close enough. I have the clamps/clips 5-6" from each end, and then about 15" in from those.
View attachment 58792 View attachment 58791 View attachment 58790


Heres what Mine looks like. If this was going to be long term, I would swap out the end, but since I plan on making an actual harness, this works for now.
View attachment 58793


Here is how I screwed mine in. Was also going to use loctite, but forgot to apply it. If any nuts come loose, Ill go through and add loctite
View attachment 58794
Is that the OPT7 or Putco light bar?
 

BobbyLeeSniper

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Has anyone tried to install the OPT7 with the multifunction tailgate? Wondering if the gap between the bumper and the bottom of the tailgate is smaller?

I highly doubt you can do this with the MFTG, the additional space taken up by the frame for the tailgate wouldnt allow for it.


Is that the OPT7 or Putco light bar?

OPT7 with amber lights
 

Skater

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I highly doubt you can do this with the MFTG, the additional space taken up by the frame for the tailgate wouldnt allow for it.




OPT7 with amber lights
Thanks. Looks great on your truck. I just wanted to make sure I pickup the right one when the time comes. I like the sequencing amber.
 

ilian11

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For MFTG, use smaller spacers, that's all. I believe I used 1/4 spacer in center to clear the harness and 1/8 spacers on each end. Mount the light bar so it sits perfectly FLUSH with the bumper.

I used the Putco 60" blade with 3 brackets, middle, left and right. Clears the multi function tail gate just fine.

Bought this kit so I had an assortment to choose from
 

Skater

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For MFTG, use smaller spacers, that's all. I believe I used 1/4 spacer in center to clear the harness and 1/8 spacers on each end. Mount the light bar so it sits perfectly FLUSH with the bumper.

I used the Putco 60" blade with 3 brackets, middle, left and right. Clears the multi function tail gate just fine.

Bought this kit so I had an assortment to choose from
Any chance you could post a few pics of how you mounted it using the spacers? Thanks.
 

ilian11

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Any chance you could post a few pics of how you mounted it using the spacers? Thanks.

here you go... screws are stainless steel to avoid rust... not that it matters really.
 

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