Putco 60" Blade Red/Amber/White installed on 2021 2500 HD

powderMonkey · March 8, 2021

This went well, but there is one gotcha that I wasn't expecting. Total install time was 1.5 hours.

I installed the 60" Blade Red/Amber/White Part 92009-60 using Putco Harness 529005 on my 2021 2500 HD. There is no splicing wires or scotch-loks needed, this is a totally plug and play solution for 2020/2021 HD's.

Basically you are unplugging a multi-pin factory connector head on either side of the spare tire, and then plugging the harness into each end of that. And then plugging the standard 4-pin trailer connector and single wire on the other part of the harness, into the 4-pin and single lead on the BLADE tailgate light bar. Other than routing and zip-tying up the harness behind the bumper - that is it.

I performed this without removing the tailgate. I'm a 6' 215lb guy and there was enough room for me to reach up behind the bumper and get one fingers on the lightbar, and the other hand reaching in between the bumper and tailgate from the outside to get it positioned before sticking it down.

The gotcha is that there is a new factroy GM non-weight bearing bracket that helps prevent lateral tailgate movement, that is in the way of the lightbar itself on our 2020/21 HD's. The answer to that I found by googling, is on Putco's own small forum for their products.

Thread -> Putco Blade Thread on 2020-21 HD's

The last post in the above thread (post #3) shows to simply reposition the bracket on the blade 4" to the right of the GM bracket, and mount the BLADE over top of the tailgate bracket. I've included the pictures from that thread, as well as a picture of my completed install. Without getting down and looking into the small area, you can't tell that the one end it on top of somthing.

Just wanted to post some info for others.

powderMonkey · March 8, 2021

Oh, and here is the link to the harness install PDF - meant to include that in the original post.

Putco 529005 Install Guide

CT Chevy Connoisseur · March 8, 2021

Thanks for the info. was considering this add to my truck but am undecided right now.

powderMonkey · March 9, 2021

Thanks CT. I saw a BLADE on a co-workers 2018 2500HD High Country Duramax and instantly had to have one also. ; )

cdh7917 · March 10, 2021

I had this light bar on my 2020 2500 AT4HD. It began to malfunction, but Putco replaced it with a brand new complete kit (new wiring harness, clips, etc) under warranty. Their customer service is fantastic.

I haven't installed the new one yet because I ended up trading my 2500 in for a 3500 that is yet to be built.

I did notice in the new kit from Putco that I have two sets of brackets, which is something new compared to the first kit I bought. The first set of brackets has a thinner base and would be used if you didn't have that tailgate bracket you ran into.

The second set of brackets has a thicker base that accommodates the tailgate bracket, essentially lifting the Blade bar off truck body surface so that the entire Blade is evenly placed in front of that bracket.

Install is definitely easier with the tailgate removed, but you have me considering trying to install it on the new truck without removing the tailgate.

As for the Blade itself, it's a really nice product. The extra light from the reverse function is well worth it.

powderMonkey · March 10, 2021

Glad to hear two things - one that Putco stands behind their parts - and two about those newer brackets! Man I must have gotten old stock! Had mine been packaged with the taller brackets I'd have used those for sure!

Trust me you can do it without removing the tailgate. You can get your hand up under the bumper and get some fingertips into that area.

I stuck all four pieces of two-sided tape to the brackets first which were snapped onto the light bar and spaced out how I wanted them. I left the rear backing on the two-sided tape. I started all four corners of the rear backing and creased them over. When I was set and ready, I pulled the backing down from the passenger side bracket so it was hanging down where I could get to it. Flipped the light bar over, and I stuck it down. Did the drivers side next - set the two ends then did the middle two keeping it all level. I was able to pull backing off with the light bar lights facing me. I did this to keep the tape from getting contaminated or sticking to something before I was ready.

CT Chevy Connoisseur · March 11, 2021

Thoughts on the GoRecon lightbar compared to this one? Also do you have to order the wiring kit seperately? Does the kit that is sold by Chevy include the wiring kit as it is based on VIN?

Thanks!!

CT Chevy Connoisseur · March 11, 2021

23 hours ago, cdh7917 said:

I had this light bar on my 2020 2500 AT4HD. It began to malfunction, but Putco replaced it with a brand new complete kit (new wiring harness, clips, etc) under warranty. Their customer service is fantastic.

I haven't installed the new one yet because I ended up trading my 2500 in for a 3500 that is yet to be built.

I did notice in the new kit from Putco that I have two sets of brackets, which is something new compared to the first kit I bought. The first set of brackets has a thinner base and would be used if you didn't have that tailgate bracket you ran into.

The second set of brackets has a thicker base that accommodates the tailgate bracket, essentially lifting the Blade bar off truck body surface so that the entire Blade is evenly placed in front of that bracket.

Install is definitely easier with the tailgate removed, but you have me considering trying to install it on the new truck without removing the tailgate.

As for the Blade itself, it's a really nice product. The extra light from the reverse function is well worth it.

I suppose the fact that there are clips instead of 3M tape all the way across makes it easier to replace if there's an issue

cdh7917 · March 11, 2021

Just now, CT Chevy Connoisseur said:

I suppose the fact that there are clips instead of 3M tape all the way across makes it easier to replace if there's an issue

In theory, it would.

Had I gone about the reinstall/replacement on my 2020, I would have removed the older/thinner brackets and started from scratch again with the thicker brackets that are designed to clear the tailgate alignment bracket on the truck.

But yes, once the Putco brackets are installed (with 3M VHB tape, as supplied) the Blade light bar clips into the brackets. It's a secure and snug fit but replacement would be fairly easy if you had problems.

Greg4524 · May 17, 2021

Just curious why you chose the amber instead of the blade red?

just bought an 18 2500hd and it doesn’t have any amber lights in the back, so I got the blade with only red and white so it matches the trucks colors and functions of the taillights

powderMonkey · May 26, 2021

On 5/17/2021 at 6:57 AM, Greg4524 said:

Just curious why you chose the amber instead of the blade red?

just bought an 18 2500hd and it doesn’t have any amber lights in the back, so I got the blade with only red and white so it matches the trucks colors and functions of the taillights

So there is a story behind that choice...

Before I chose a color I googled around a bit, and found out that the DOT allowed the change from rear signal from amber being mandatory, to red some years ago. The article pointed out that the next year, there was a 37% increase collisions where lane changes or turning was a contributing factor. Theory is, that if you see a single flash of amber - you know it's a turn signal. If you see a single flash of red at the rear, you don't know whether it's just a brake touch or a signal. Made sense to me, and it gave me a reason to choose one over the other.