Tailgate Lightbars

I'm looking for Tailgate Lightbars(ya know the strip that goes under the tailgate and hooks up to the trailer wiring harness, I did a quick google search and found a few cheap ones and a few expensive ones..Which ones do you like

 

I’m watching this because I also think I want one. Not sure which one to buy.

 

I used to install a lot of FireWire strips, which I believe they sell a plug and play harness for some models, but they are cheaply made and if you don’t take a decent bit of time to install them properly, they look like crap.

there is a decent gap between the bottom of the gate and the top of the bumper, and there is enough front to back space for clearance when the gate is opened, so it can be done to look good. But personally, I’d avoid anything that is just double stick taped on.

 

i have an opt7. part of it burned out. got another because i like the design--i blamed myself, as i transferred it from another truck 2 years ago. i originally ordered in 2020, replacement was ordered in 2022. haven't installed it yet.

after i ordered the replacement, i dug a little into the company. this is their official warranty terms for the tailgate light bar, compared to the terms with the additional $15 'prime warranty'.



to say the terms are crap is an understatement.
for their product to suck so hard that a 'prime warranty' is even viable, means either their design is crap, their product is crap, or their sales model is crap.

my next one, i'm building myself.

get the cheapest one you can get.

 

I saw a video on this one the other day. Looks promising, but not cheap at all.
https://www.putco.com/product/freedom-blade/v/Toyota/Tacoma/2017/

 

They look like the better option, I"ll take a look at them....Only put my deposit down still waiting for the truck to come from the factory ughhhh

 

their warranty is crap though. it comes off like they have zero confidence in their own product

 

I'd rather buy a Magnum cab rack.

 

I kind of forgot about these, even though I have a similar one of theirs on my trailer.

decent quality units. The company was always good to deal with too.

 

I installed

$62 MICTUNING Triple Tailgate Light Bar Waterproof Plug-and-Play Aluminum Frame with 4-Way Flat Connector - Amber Sequential Turn Signal, Red Brake/Running, White Reverse Lights for Pickup Truck

this one 2 weeks ago.
Very happy with the quality and results

 

It blocks the spare tire winch access hole, no?

 

I purchased the Putco 36 inch white/amber/red Blade. I'm putting it on my GFC Style camper. I did a lot of homework and it made more sense to drop $225 (Military Discount) once rather than drop $40-80 a few times.

 

not with a little creativity.

 

This is what I did and I like this better then the light bar. Only have signal & brake connected. Running light not connected because the LED I choose is too bright.

 

Almost every time I see those long “light bars” underneath tailgates on trucks, some bulbs are usually burnt out and just looks bad/cheap.

So many of them are off centre too haha. Hard pass for me.

 

This is actually not bad.

 

Which LEDs are these? And how did you wire it up? This looks great

 

Wiring instructions is pretty simple. At your 7pin/4pin tow connector, it has everything you need to connect your LED to it. I disconnect the connector behind the bumper and connect it there. If your light is a low current draw and you are connecting it to the 7/4pin connector, I don’t think you will need relays. Left LED positive to left stop/turn, right LED positive to right stop/turn, LED negative to ground. If it has a running light connect it to running light.

This is what I used:
Edited: I removed the link because that company suck. 4 lights lasted only 2-4 months each. I now use the Federal Signal 4200s.

I recommend you get something else if you like running light, just a regular LED. The way this LED is design, the running light will have the same brightness as the brake & turning. So if your running light is on, you won’t see your brake or signal on the LED because it’s constant on(your oem light is still function like normal). This LED is not design for this purpose and that’s why I didn’t connect the running light. I’m happy with just signal, brake, & strobe.

Wiring for this LED: both LED red to positive, both LED black to ground, left LED green to left stop/turn, right LED green to right stop/turn, both LED blue to switch & relay for manual strobe (optional), yellow is to change strobe pattern connect to a momentary switch.

 

I just purchased the putco blade with the amber flashers and installed it. Looks nice, I bought it based on a person who bought one 2 years ago and it still looks and works great.

 

All of these ALWAYS look like a trash $20 Pep Boys ‘mod’.