Jump to content

Need help with installing Putco Bladr LED lights

yankeesfan81
 Share

Recommended Posts

yankeesfan81 Enthusiast

yankeesfan81

Posted
Posted

So I bought the Putco Blade light bar to install on my 2020 LT TB.   The space in-between the bumper and tailgate is not as big as I thought it would be.  Any tips for installing it with the tailgate still on?   How hard is it to remove the tailgate?  And anyone have good directions for removal or a good video?  Thank you

 

Matt

CWRKR Enthusiast

CWRKR

Posted
Posted

I just installed mine today.  I only removed the right side of the tail gate.  Remove the cables Securing the tail gate and raise up the tail gate until the flats on the right hinge aligns with the cutouts on mount.  Lift up at about 45 degree angle and remove tailgate from the bracket.  I left the left side attached.  There is enough play in the wiring to allow the tailgate to be pulled away from the bed enough to give room to work.  I laid the tail gate on a couple totes to hold it flat without hanging down.  Look at the instructions and ensure that the two outside light bar clips are installed 1/4”- 5/16” above the raised lip on the back of the bed at each end.  If you don’t the lights will not be visible.  I then used a string tied to the outside clips to align the heights of the two center clips.  Then clipped in the light bar.  Make sure you have enough tie wraps to secure the wiring underneath.  Sorry I don’t have any picture currently.  If you really need them I can take some.  I apologize if my instructions are not understandable as I am multi-tasking.  

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

Posted
Posted

I installed mine without taking the tailgate off. Patience and a few wood sticks helped

04f10620b15ecaccf3990206a285dc93.jpg


Ryan B.

CWRKR Enthusiast

CWRKR

Posted
Posted

Installed Putco blade p/n 92010-60 & wiring harness 529005 on my 2020 1500 SLT. 

yankeesfan81 Enthusiast

yankeesfan81

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 hours ago, CWRKR said:

Installed Putco blade p/n 92010-60 & wiring harness 529005 on my 2020 1500 SLT. 

Ok. Thanks.....

yankeesfan81 Enthusiast

yankeesfan81

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Was actually alot easier than I thought.  Just removed the tailgate to do it.   Ended up shortening the wiring harness that Putco gives you because it was about 2.5 ft too long when using the harness.  I ended up putting the blade slightly too high though.  Tailgate rubs a little on top of the light bar when tailgate is put down.  

  • 5 months later...
vancealot29 Enthusiast

vancealot29

Posted
Posted
On 5/14/2020 at 8:30 PM, CWRKR said:

Look at the instructions and ensure that the two outside light bar clips are installed 1/4”- 5/16” above the raised lip on the back of the bed at each end.

So I purchased this light bar from GM accessories and had the dealer install it (was only charged $55 for install, so it was worth it to me).  After reviewing it a bit at home, it looks to me like it is installed a bit to high and thus possibly being blocked by the tailgate.  Hard to say though, as it could be the lighting or the angle.

 

My question is, I reviewed the instructions online and unless I was looking at an outdated file, it does not say how far above the lip to mount the brackets. I didn't find this post until now, so I will measure where my brackets are at in the am.  In the event my brackets are mounted too high, I would like to go to the dealer with proof that they are too high and can't just use this post to corroborate (no offense).

 

Any thoughts would be great.

 

Thanks!

CWRKR Enthusiast

CWRKR

Posted
Posted

The 5/16” in stated in the wiring instructions.  I attached the page .

ED9D0ED5-6397-448B-9DE1-ED4E4017B94B.jpeg

vancealot29 Enthusiast

vancealot29

Posted
Posted (edited)
8 hours ago, CWRKR said:

The 5/16” in stated in the wiring instructions.  I attached the page .

ED9D0ED5-6397-448B-9DE1-ED4E4017B94B.jpeg

Thanks for this.  I must have overlooked that, I did only skim the wiring portion.  I didn't take off my tailgate, but using tapered shims (as well as the eye test) it looks like my drivers side is about 1 inch above the ridge and the passenger side is about 7/8'' above the ridge, so ~3x higher than it should be (as well as not level).

 

But just so I am clear, there are only two ridges correct, one on each side?  I just want to make sure I am measuring from the correct starting point.

 

Thanks for the help!

Edited by vancealot29
CWRKR Enthusiast

CWRKR

Posted
Posted

Yes, two ridges. One on each side.  I didn’t remove the tailgate either.  I opened the tailgate and removed the right side.  I rested the open tailgate on a couple of plastic totes and swung it out to provide room to install.  For spacers I used plastic chopsticks since I couldn’t find anything else laying around that was 1/4” Don’t laugh, it worked.  

vancealot29 Enthusiast

vancealot29

Posted
Posted
34 minutes ago, CWRKR said:

Yes, two ridges. One on each side.  I didn’t remove the tailgate either.  I opened the tailgate and removed the right side.  I rested the open tailgate on a couple of plastic totes and swung it out to provide room to install.  For spacers I used plastic chopsticks since I couldn’t find anything else laying around that was 1/4” Don’t laugh, it worked.  

No judgement from me, lol.  When I saw that GM accessories only wanted $55 to install it, I kind of thought that was a steal.  Turns out they had the truck in the bay for two hours yesterday, which at ~$100 per hour, I think I got a pretty good deal, minus the installed wrong part.  I have a follow up appt. with the dealer on Thursday, so they can deal with it (hopefully).  I will provide an update then.

 

On a side note, your location shows Clearwater.  Is that the FL Clearwater?  If so, I am in Land O Lakes.  Which dealer do you use, because so far I have not been overly impressed with either Jim Browne (purchased from) in Tampa or Wesley Chapel Chevy (using service).  I am always interested in hearing feedback from other people regarding dealers in the area.  If you're not in FL, ignore this entire paragraph.

 

Thanks again for your help!

CWRKR Enthusiast

CWRKR

Posted
Posted

I purchased and use Dick Norris in Clearwater.  They’ve always done an excellent job. I only have 9k miles so my experience is limited.  

vancealot29 Enthusiast

vancealot29

Posted
Posted
29 minutes ago, CWRKR said:

I purchased and use Dick Norris in Clearwater.  They’ve always done an excellent job. I only have 9k miles so my experience is limited.  

Good to know.  The wife will be in the market for a Tahoe next year.

vancealot29 Enthusiast

vancealot29

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 11/10/2020 at 11:17 AM, CWRKR said:

Yes, two ridges. One on each side.  I didn’t remove the tailgate either.  I opened the tailgate and removed the right side.  I rested the open tailgate on a couple of plastic totes and swung it out to provide room to install.  For spacers I used plastic chopsticks since I couldn’t find anything else laying around that was 1/4” Don’t laugh, it worked.  

Update.  Went back to the dealer, and they fixed the level, but barely changed the height of the bar compared to the ridge.  As you can see from my amateur pics, the height of the bar is roughly 3/4'' inch above the ridge.  They claim that is as low as it should sit, and if it sat any lower, it would be blocked by the lip of the bumper.  They said if I wanted it 1/4'' above the ridge, they would do it for free, but if I was unsatisfied, that they would charge me to move it back to its current position.

 

Is there any way to get a pic of how close yours is to the ridge?  I know it will be hard to compare just based on pics, but a better way could be looking at the small circles stamped in the metal, and use those as a good baseline.  Would be interested to see how much of the small circle is covered on yours.  There is a chance I could be completely overthinking this.

 

Let me know your thoughts.  Thanks in advance!

Light Bar.jpg

Edited by vancealot29

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,760
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    MASONV88888888
    Newest Member
    MASONV88888888
    Joined

  • Who's Online   3 Members, 0 Anonymous, 1,220 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • MASONV88888888
      Another 6.2L engine failure!

      By MASONV88888888 · Posted

      My 2025 Silverado 1500 had to receive a brand-new engine (long block) under warranty last month at only around 16,500 miles. Before the replacement, the truck repeatedly displayed "Engine Oil Level Low" warnings, even though the Oil Life Monitor still showed around 50% remaining after about 6,000 miles since my last oil change. After seeing the warning several times, I checked the dipstick with the engine cold, and the oil level was completely normal. The next day, the message escalated to "Add Engine Oil." At first, I assumed it was just a faulty oil level sensor, so I brought the truck to the dealership. After inspecting the engine, they found internal cylinder wall scoring and ultimately replaced the entire long block under warranty. Before this happened, I was planning to install a 4-inch lift and suspension upgrade on my truck. After needing a new engine at just 16,500 miles, I honestly don't see the point anymore. I also contacted GM to ask whether my vehicle qualified for a buyback, but I was informed that it does not at this time. Anyway, this experience has left me with serious concerns about the long-term reliability of this engine. I sincerely hope NHTSA expands the current investigation or recall to include 2025 model and performs a thorough inspection of affected vehicles. My biggest concern is that these engines may fail shortly after the powertrain warranty expires. If GM truly stands behind this engine, then at the very least, please consider extending the powertrain warranty to 10 years for affected owners. That would go a long way toward restoring customer confidence.
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Without exception but then I'm the odd duck, right? I know what goes into that test, how it is calculated and thus how to beat it. But EPA values are often not beaten by the general public and the government has in past years adjusted the means and methods to come to those values to more closely approximate "Joe Average".    The only real trick to beating that EPA average is don't drive like "Joe Average".    It's the same method you used to profit from "Economic Migration" and in doing so beat the 'stats'. But you, like me, are not "Joe Average".     The thing you don't seem to grasp is this "Purchasing Power Index" isn't forward looking. It doesn't predict what it going to be but looks backward and states what it was. They are not telling us what the THINK, they are telling us what they MEASURED. Example:    Wife says "I'm going to lose 40 pounds by Christmas". May she does, maybe she doesn't but the doctors office who weighed her when she made that statement and again at Christmas only REPORTS what the RESULT was. You and I can banter about what was possible and what aunt Tilly did till the cows come home but the result is the result. Arguing otherwise is.....irrational. That's all I'm saying. This isn't about:      What you are calling a 'Statistic' is a RESULT not a CALCUATION and as a result the RULE. Like gravity as a rule, it can not be broken. 
    • MASONV88888888
      Rattle in the rear!

      By MASONV88888888 · Posted

      Just wanted to say thank you for posting this. Years later, your thread is still helping Silverado owners.   I bought my 2025 Silverado 1500 in January 2025, and I've had what feels like the exact same rattle since day one. After reading your findings, I believe my truck has the same issue with the cable carrier contacting the rear sliding window. To be honest, I had pretty much given up on pursuing the issue. It wasn't until I recently drove another brand's pickup that I realized just how quiet their cabin was—and how noisy mine has been all along. On my truck, the rattle happens on almost any paved road, gets even worse on rougher pavement, and I can even hear it during braking and acceleration.   I actually referenced your thread when submitting my case to GM, hoping they'll recognize this as a recurring issue instead of treating it as an isolated incident. The reason I reached out to GM first is because my dealership told me they would need to keep the truck for at least two days just to diagnose the problem. I was concerned that even after two days, they still might not be able to identify the source of the rattle before giving the truck back to me. I had also asked a few dealerships about this issue during previous service visits, but none of them seemed to know what was causing it or had a solution. That's why I decided to contact GM directly first, hoping they might already have an official repair procedure or guidance for this issue.   I also hope GM eventually comes up with an official fix for this problem. I have a feeling there are many Silverado owners experiencing the same rattle, but most either choose to live with it or simply don't know what the cause is.   Really appreciate you taking the time to document your diagnosis. Your post is still making a difference years later.
    • Buckwild27
      Gas Prices

      By Buckwild27 · Posted

      I have 2 choices. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      Gas Prices

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Do you have access to BP fuels? Some stations have Silver 91 E-0 priced the same as their 93 E-10.  There is a local Marathon with 90 alky free for $6 a gallon but I go down the road to BP for $5-ish. They also have a 100 E-0 but that stuff is $10 a pop. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...