OPT7 advises me to discuss with a professional

[Kevinch]

Considering the install of running board lights on my MY2020 1500 Laramie. The OPT7 "Sidekick Sequential Running Board Switchback LED Strip Kit" has caught my eye. When reviewing the info on the "ask a question" portion of the web site, I saw a post from someone who was having an installer install these on a GMC Denali; said installer told this guy the turns could not function as he has factory LED turns. I asked a similar question about installing them on my truck, as it has all factory lighting - including the turns.

The response to my question was to advise me to contact Customer Service via a supplied email address. I did that, explaining why I was contacting them & what I was contacting them about. I wanted to know if I could expect full functionality of the lights: Running Lamps when lights are on, Sequential Turns when the signals are activated, & Courtesy Step-up Lamps when a door is opened if I installed the kit.

I received a very courteous response in less than 24 hours. It advised the install I was contemplating was "quite advanced and would require a skilled professional." It went on to explain that for full functionality "it is crucial that the installation integrates seamlessly with your vehicle's electrical system. Since your RAM 1500 has factory-installed LED lighting, this would require an experienced professional who is well-versed in vehicle electrical wiring to ensure everything functions properly and safely."

Has anyone wired these into a RAM with full factory LED lighting & kept all the functions offered? Can you advise how you wired & were there any problems? I know it is strongly advised on motorcycles to use load isolators when adding lighting - is that what is needed here? I've no issue with going to an installer if that is the wisest thing to do, but I've some of my own ideas too - like using absolutely none of those sh**ty wire taps that come with all of these kits. Any advice is welcome - thanks in advance.

 

[Skater]

Considering the install of running board lights on my MY2020 1500 Laramie. The OPT7 "Sidekick Sequential Running Board Switchback LED Strip Kit" has caught my eye. When reviewing the info on the "ask a question" portion of the web site, I saw a post from someone who was having an installer install these on a GMC Denali; said installer told this guy the turns could not function as he has factory LED turns. I asked a similar question about installing them on my truck, as it has all factory lighting - including the turns.

The response to my question was to advise me to contact Customer Service via a supplied email address. I did that, explaining why I was contacting them & what I was contacting them about. I wanted to know if I could expect full functionality of the lights: Running Lamps when lights are on, Sequential Turns when the signals are activated, & Courtesy Step-up Lamps when a door is opened if I installed the kit.

I received a very courteous response in less than 24 hours. It advised the install I was contemplating was "quite advanced and would require a skilled professional." It went on to explain that for full functionality "it is crucial that the installation integrates seamlessly with your vehicle's electrical system. Since your RAM 1500 has factory-installed LED lighting, this would require an experienced professional who is well-versed in vehicle electrical wiring to ensure everything functions properly and safely."

Has anyone wired these into a RAM with full factory LED lighting & kept all the functions offered? Can you advise how you wired & were there any problems? I know it is strongly advised on motorcycles to use load isolators when adding lighting - is that what is needed here? I've no issue with going to an installer if that is the wisest thing to do, but I've some of my own ideas too - like using absolutely none of those sh**ty wire taps that come with all of these kits. Any advice is welcome - thanks in advance.

You may try to contact RamVader. He installed these a few years ago if I remember correctly. I remember he installed the Opt7 sequential tail light bar, and I'm pretty sure he also installed the sidekick sequential strips too. Do a search for RamVader. He may still be around and he is very helpful.

Good luck.

 

[firemedic10584]

They will function. However, it'll be slightly delayed/not in sync. IE: your factory signal light will not 100% match the on/off time of the LED bar signal. To most it doesn't matter, but to someone like my with OCD, it bothered me. But they will function.

 

[Kevinch]

They will function. However, it'll be slightly delayed/not in sync. IE: your factory signal light will not 100% match the on/off time of the LED bar signal. To most it doesn't matter, but to someone like my with OCD, it bothered me. But they will function.

Thanks firemedic. Is your Bighorn equipped with full factory LED lighting? It seems OPT7 is saying that is the issue with the install on my truck.

 

[firemedic10584]

Thanks firemedic. Is your Bighorn equipped with full factory LED lighting? It seems OPT7 is saying that is the issue with the install on my truck.

My 2025 has LED fronts but halogen rear. I did just install some amber running lights and white courtesy light strips yesterday on mine. For the amber marker light function, I tied it directly into the marker light wire on the headlight harness but the truck did not like that so I had to put a relay in instead. These trucks are very amp draw-sensitive so maybe that's what they're referring to. If a light circuit detects too much or too little draw, it thinks there's a problem and shuts down that circuit which is what I experienced yesterday.

 

[moparleo51]

Considering the install of running board lights on my MY2020 1500 Laramie. The OPT7 "Sidekick Sequential Running Board Switchback LED Strip Kit" has caught my eye. When reviewing the info on the "ask a question" portion of the web site, I saw a post from someone who was having an installer install these on a GMC Denali; said installer told this guy the turns could not function as he has factory LED turns. I asked a similar question about installing them on my truck, as it has all factory lighting - including the turns.

The response to my question was to advise me to contact Customer Service via a supplied email address. I did that, explaining why I was contacting them & what I was contacting them about. I wanted to know if I could expect full functionality of the lights: Running Lamps when lights are on, Sequential Turns when the signals are activated, & Courtesy Step-up Lamps when a door is opened if I installed the kit.

I received a very courteous response in less than 24 hours. It advised the install I was contemplating was "quite advanced and would require a skilled professional." It went on to explain that for full functionality "it is crucial that the installation integrates seamlessly with your vehicle's electrical system. Since your RAM 1500 has factory-installed LED lighting, this would require an experienced professional who is well-versed in vehicle electrical wiring to ensure everything functions properly and safely."

Has anyone wired these into a RAM with full factory LED lighting & kept all the functions offered? Can you advise how you wired & were there any problems? I know it is strongly advised on motorcycles to use load isolators when adding lighting - is that what is needed here? I've no issue with going to an installer if that is the wisest thing to do, but I've some of my own ideas too - like using absolutely none of those sh**ty wire taps that come with all of these kits. Any advice is welcome - thanks in advance.

are you installing this on the rear tailgate or are you putting them where the running boards are on the side? i plan of installing these for my power running boards in the spring (there videos on how to do it). but if your doing this for the rear tailgate area then there also is many video options and how to wire it up. the one way i found out was to run wire to the back trailer plug and splice in there. if you dont wanna splice into your factory plug wires get the curt tail plug adapter .

 

[Kevinch]

are you installing this on the rear tailgate or are you putting them where the running boards are on the side? i plan of installing these for my power running boards in the spring (there videos on how to do it). but if your doing this for the rear tailgate area then there also is many video options and how to wire it up. the one way i found out was to run wire to the back trailer plug and splice in there. if you dont wanna splice into your factory plug wires get the curt tail plug adapter .

These would be along the running boards & have 3 functions: running lights, sequential turn signals, & courtesy lamps when the doors open.

 

[Kevinch]

My 2025 has LED fronts but halogen rear. I did just install some amber running lights and white courtesy light strips yesterday on mine. For the amber marker light function, I tied it directly into the marker light wire on the headlight harness but the truck did not like that so I had to put a relay in instead. These trucks are very amp draw-sensitive so maybe that's what they're referring to. If a light circuit detects too much or too little draw, it thinks there's a problem and shuts down that circuit which is what I experienced yesterday.

Understood. I know that there are "Load Isolaters" available for adding lights to motorcycles - Custom Dynamics comes to mind - to isolate add-on lights from the BCM. I haven't seen anything similar specifically for auto/truck applications. While there are both manufacturer & model specific plugin units & universal 12v units available, I'd be hesitant to wire one into my truck without some guidance.