Questions About Led Light Bar Under Tailgates

cfeiring · February 17, 2010

Hey folks,

Looking for the collective wisdom of the group.

I'm looking at getting a RECON brand under the tailgate LED light bar that is full length, that does stop, turn, and white backup.

I can get one for approx $60.00 for the part.

Questions are these:

1 How reliable are these aka worth the money?

2 What do I need to install and wire to the various lights on the truck, install parts not avl from the same vendor as the light bar.

3 What is the best way to mount.

The truck in question is listed below and no mods other than a few cosmetic mods, I do have the trailer package so I have a power connection on the back bumper.

Thanks folks for your Input.

Stevens03 · February 17, 2010

I like them (and have one) and they are easy to install.

dirtfan21 · February 17, 2010

Had one on my last truck. I believe I paid 60 for mine also. As for installation: heat shrink connectors, electrical tape, your truck manual, and some electrical wire cutters, that's seriously it. The light bars typically have adhesive backing that will stick to the truck. Clean with some rubbing alcohol or dish soap then just stick it on.

blankey · February 17, 2010

I have one from Plasmaglow and it has a lifetime warrany on it. I know LED's last basically forever but incase water would get in it and destroy it.

SparkySparks · February 17, 2010

Does yours have the 4pin trailer plug on it or just the wire? Mine came with the 4pin on it so I bought an adapter that hooks into the back of the 7pin on the truck and gives me a 4pin plug behind the bumper, just plugs right up so no cutting of the wires. I think I did have to splice a wire to have the reverse lights work. Had mine for just over a year now and no issues with it. I used the 3M tape that came with it to mount it to the truck.

takevin · February 18, 2010

Better off getting the plasmaglow one which has the lifetime warranty.

jacobrivers · February 18, 2010

I have one from Plasmaglow and it has a lifetime warrany on it. I know LED's last basically forever but incase water would get in it and destroy it.

Wise move. I had another brand that seemed well built until " I hit some deep water". Half of the lights quit working and I ended up chunking it. I would def get Plasmaglow if they'll stand behind them.

Combat_Vet · February 18, 2010

I am an Investigator by trade and researched, researched and researched until I was blue on this same subject. I chose the Custom Dynamics LED bar.

(BTW) This is the running mode (brake is not depressed), these are as bright as hell in the day and night!

I picked the 60" bar, which has 150 LED's and is waterproofed.

They will set you back about $100 +/- depending on model and connection. I'm a Harley guy and have a Custom show bike; CD has the bed LED's on the market.

http://www.customdynamics.com/truck_led_light_bar.htm

Features:

- Lifetime Warranty Against LED Failure

- Plug and Play Design - 4 Pin Male Trailer Hitch Plug or Simple Posi-Tap Hardware (must be 4 wire system for hardwire or use converter below)

- Simple Installation - Mounts with Pre Installed 3M Tape - 10 Minutes Installation

- 38" Light Bar Contains 96 Super Bright Red LEDs (small and mid size trucks)

- 60" Light Bar Contains 150 Super Bright Red LEDs (full size trucks)

- The Best Tailgate Taillight Light Bar On the Market Or Your Money Back

- 38" Light Bar is 4 Function - running, brake, left turn, right turn or can be wired as 3 function (without running)

- 60" Light bar is 4 Function - running, brake, left turn, right turn or can be wired as 3 function (without running)

- Low Power Draw - 450 mA at 12VDC for 38", 700 mA for 60"

- Sleek Slim Design, Makes Light Bar Nearly Invisible When Off

- Black Anodized Case, 3M Tape and Promoter Included

- Fits Under Most Truck Taillights on the Market

- Only 5/16" High by 1/2" deep

- 100% Waterproof design

Fine99 · February 18, 2010

Hey folks,

Looking for the collective wisdom of the group.

I'm looking at getting a RECON brand under the tailgate LED light bar that is full length, that does stop, turn, and white backup.

I can get one for approx $60.00 for the part.

Questions are these:

1 How reliable are these aka worth the money?

2 What do I need to install and wire to the various lights on the truck, install parts not avl from the same vendor as the light bar.

3 What is the best way to mount.

The truck in question is listed below and no mods other than a few cosmetic mods, I do have the trailer package so I have a power connection on the back bumper.

Thanks folks for your Input.

My Recone 60"came with a plug and play harness just plugs right into the towining harness 4plug no splicing!!!

dirtfan21 · February 18, 2010

The only thing that worried me about the plug and play installation was that I had to use the adapter for the 4 prong to the factory 7. Anyone can come up to the back of your truck and grap your adapter at anytime. That's why I hard wired mine in.

SparkySparks · February 18, 2010

The only thing that worried me about the plug and play installation was that I had to use the adapter for the 4 prong to the factory 7. Anyone can come up to the back of your truck and grap your adapter at anytime. That's why I hard wired mine in.

I used an adapter that hooks to the back of the factory 7pin so they would have to craw under the truck to get to it plus the wires for the adapter are ziptied to the truck, all the wires are out of the way.

dirtfan21 · February 18, 2010

The only thing that worried me about the plug and play installation was that I had to use the adapter for the 4 prong to the factory 7. Anyone can come up to the back of your truck and grap your adapter at anytime. That's why I hard wired mine in.

I used an adapter that hooks to the back of the factory 7pin so they would have to craw under the truck to get to it plus the wires for the adapter are ziptied to the truck, all the wires are out of the way.

Wasnt aware you could get an adapter that connects that way.

t3hquietkid · February 21, 2010

I have seen many trucks on the road with more than a few LEDs burnt out, and sometimes whole sides. I would only buy the one that offers a lifetime warranty, even just a single LED going out would bother me so much.

nick3941sd · February 21, 2010

The only thing that worried me about the plug and play installation was that I had to use the adapter for the 4 prong to the factory 7. Anyone can come up to the back of your truck and grap your adapter at anytime. That's why I hard wired mine in.

I used an adapter that hooks to the back of the factory 7pin so they would have to craw under the truck to get to it plus the wires for the adapter are ziptied to the truck, all the wires are out of the way.

Where did you get the adapter that pluged into the back?

brims · February 21, 2010

The only thing that worried me about the plug and play installation was that I had to use the adapter for the 4 prong to the factory 7. Anyone can come up to the back of your truck and grap your adapter at anytime. That's why I hard wired mine in.

I used an adapter that hooks to the back of the factory 7pin so they would have to craw under the truck to get to it plus the wires for the adapter are ziptied to the truck, all the wires are out of the way.

Where did you get the adapter that pluged into the back?

Curt sells one, I think eTrailer has one from them or another company. The Curt number is 55384. I can't find the one on eTrailer but there should be plenty of others with the same or similar adapter. They are called T connectors.