RamVader
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- Mar 28, 2020
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I installed the OPT 7 Triple Row LED light bar this weekend. I have the MFT ( Multi Function Tailgate ) and read somewhere that it will not fit. After hours of test fitting and a few cuss words. I made it work! I decided to post what I did just in case anybody else wants to do this set up with their MFT.
1. If you are doing this by yourself ( which I did ) I highly recommend you get a couple of 1.5" L brackets and some heavy duty peel & stick Velcro to temporarily hold the light bar in place so you can make your marks to line up you clips etc. This will save you a lot of frustration on trying to hold the light bar straight and lined up with the top of the bumper to mark your lines. Plus it is a ***** to fish out when falls down into the bumper. The 2 bumps on both ends of the plastic backing need to be cut out so the bar can sit further back to prevent rubbing. NOTE: the bottom row of LEDs needs to be flush with the top of the bumper or it will sit to high and rub on the tailgate!
2. I lined up the actual LEDs 1.5" from the line on the bumper on each end so the LEDs are centered
3. I cut a thin piece the loop / soft side of the heavy duty the with of the top of the light bar and stuck it to the top of the bar to prevent scratching the tailgate from scratching. There is maybe 1-2 mm of clearance at the most!
4. You definitely want to get yourself a pair of these surgical locking pliers ( I don't know the official name for them ) Harbor Freight sells them in a set. They work great for holding the clips while you drill / screw the clips in.
5. I used a Dremel with a bit to cut out the plastic bumps on each end. I then covered the holes with the Hook / rough part of the Heavy Duty Velcro. This step kills two birds with one stone. It covers the hole and it provides and extra attachment point for the light bar. I peeled off some of the red plastic covering over the sticky tape on the back of the light bar and stuck the peel & stick loop / soft end to the back ends of the light bar so it can attach to the Hook Velcro covering the hole.
6. I picked up a set of rubber washers from Harbor Freight. I ended up using the 4 X 16 X 4mm size washers from the set. No washers on the two end clips. 2 washers on the two clips on each side one clip in from the ends. 3 washers on the center clip. The light bar comes with 4 clips. I did not feel it was enough. I ended up using an extra clip that I had. It looks different from the rest but it works. These clips are pretty much universal. The extra clips that I have were from some under cabinet LED lighting strips. I also stuck the loop / soft side of the Velcro to the top of the clips to prevent scratching the tailgate.
Here is a list of the tools and supplies I used. I mounted the clips with 6-32 Stainless steel screws with stainless steel washers and stainless steel nylon LOCK nuts to prevent vibrating loose. I also used dielectric grease in all of the electrical plugs. Including the Curt 5 pin wire harness
I hope this help anybody that wants to add the OPT 7 Triple light bar with MFT
1. If you are doing this by yourself ( which I did ) I highly recommend you get a couple of 1.5" L brackets and some heavy duty peel & stick Velcro to temporarily hold the light bar in place so you can make your marks to line up you clips etc. This will save you a lot of frustration on trying to hold the light bar straight and lined up with the top of the bumper to mark your lines. Plus it is a ***** to fish out when falls down into the bumper. The 2 bumps on both ends of the plastic backing need to be cut out so the bar can sit further back to prevent rubbing. NOTE: the bottom row of LEDs needs to be flush with the top of the bumper or it will sit to high and rub on the tailgate!
2. I lined up the actual LEDs 1.5" from the line on the bumper on each end so the LEDs are centered
3. I cut a thin piece the loop / soft side of the heavy duty the with of the top of the light bar and stuck it to the top of the bar to prevent scratching the tailgate from scratching. There is maybe 1-2 mm of clearance at the most!
4. You definitely want to get yourself a pair of these surgical locking pliers ( I don't know the official name for them ) Harbor Freight sells them in a set. They work great for holding the clips while you drill / screw the clips in.
5. I used a Dremel with a bit to cut out the plastic bumps on each end. I then covered the holes with the Hook / rough part of the Heavy Duty Velcro. This step kills two birds with one stone. It covers the hole and it provides and extra attachment point for the light bar. I peeled off some of the red plastic covering over the sticky tape on the back of the light bar and stuck the peel & stick loop / soft end to the back ends of the light bar so it can attach to the Hook Velcro covering the hole.
6. I picked up a set of rubber washers from Harbor Freight. I ended up using the 4 X 16 X 4mm size washers from the set. No washers on the two end clips. 2 washers on the two clips on each side one clip in from the ends. 3 washers on the center clip. The light bar comes with 4 clips. I did not feel it was enough. I ended up using an extra clip that I had. It looks different from the rest but it works. These clips are pretty much universal. The extra clips that I have were from some under cabinet LED lighting strips. I also stuck the loop / soft side of the Velcro to the top of the clips to prevent scratching the tailgate.
Here is a list of the tools and supplies I used. I mounted the clips with 6-32 Stainless steel screws with stainless steel washers and stainless steel nylon LOCK nuts to prevent vibrating loose. I also used dielectric grease in all of the electrical plugs. Including the Curt 5 pin wire harness
I hope this help anybody that wants to add the OPT 7 Triple light bar with MFT
