LED tailgate strip.

Hello. Has anyone ever put one of those LED light strips on the back of their Tundra? I was looking at some that have left and right directionals as well as reverse and brake lights. Just wondering which ones are decent and will fit in the spot without blocking the spare tire hole. Lol. Thank you.

 

I have the Putco one - it does block the spare slot but it's held in by clips (held on by 3M adhesive) so it can come off to access the spare. Others say the turn signals and brakes are very clear, and the reverse light is quite good.

 

I have the Putco one and a few LED's went out .

I bought this one as a replacement and will install it in the Spring.

https://www.speedtechlights.com/truck-tailgate-light-bars/60-inch-led-truck-tailgate-light-bar

Free shipping code.....STLFREE

*** PLEASE fill in the referral code.....JC68650

 

I have the Putco one too. Works well, has brake, turn signals and reverse light. I have no issue getting to the spare, it’s flexible enough.

 

I purchased this one when it was on sale last year. Used heavy duty velcro in case I had to get to the spare tire. Very happy with the purchase.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...urface-mount-4-pin-flat-connector/5530/12462/

 

I just ordered the Putco Blade and it is on back order until March 10, 2021.

 

Hmm. From the installation instructions:

Since I live in New England, where car washes are required every winter to get the salt off the undercarriage, that's a deal-killer for me.

 

I just added the Opt-7 triple to my 2011. Used magnets to attach it, so I can still access the spare tire hole if needed. Very happy with how it came out. Survived the first trip to the car wash today.

 

How'd you attach the magnets to the light?

 

I can try and get some pictures tomorrow, but basically I ordered up some circular earth magnets from Amazon. The light itself comes with a full-length adhesive mounting strip attached to the back. Instead of pulling the protective backing off of the whole strip, I just cut out small sections on the ends and at 20-inch intervals. Stuck the magnets to the adhesive and held pressure for a few minutes to get a good hold. Then slapped the whole apparatus up against the truck. An added bonus is that you can then play around with the light placement, sort of like a wet decal application. With the adhesive application, you’d have to get it perfect the first time out.

The magnets do make it stick out about 1/8 inch more than just the adhesive would. Not noticeable visually, but when I lower the tailgate it *just* touches the plastic cover on the front of the light. No issues so far, but if you open/close the tailgate a lot, it would bear watching.

 

Mine is an off brand with 3m tape and does indeed cover the hole. Luckily I haven't had to change out a tire with the spare in 5 years, if I do I'll rip it out!

 

That's smart! I put the 60" Opt7 on my 2015 recently and just used the little self trappers with the supplied brackets. They weren't great screws, but sufficient.

Same clearance issue but I left the adhesive pads from a previous owner's brake light strip install as a cushion in case the tailgate did push down hard on the light under load.

I am very sure the previous install forgot about having to access the hole and ripped it off on the side of the road or something. I found where they tapped the harness and I fixed it all up back to stock while I was doing the install. I completely missed all of it when I looked to buy the truck. I wonder what else I will find?

All my wiring was done into a coupler that just plugs in and adds and extended and 4 pin split to the backside of the 7 pin under the hitch. The opt7 light just plugs in and you can just positap into the reverse in the extender. No factory harness mods required!

Very easy install and happy with it so far. The one thing I will mention is that the coating over the leds is sort of tacky still, and was stuck with Florida sand in it before I even finished the install. I'm not worried about it but it will be something I want to watch as that sits out in the sun and heats up and whatnot.

 

I did the same. It was a Curt product that I also got from Amazon. Definitely recommend doing it this way. Extremely easy.

 

I really like the magnet approach. The wiring I'm a bit nervous about as I've never wired anything but car audio and it's been years. Lol

 

With the

$23 Curt 55384 Replacement Vehicle-Side Custom USCAR 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness, Black, 6 x 3 x 9"es

Curt 55384 harness the installation should be plug and play except for one splice or T-tap for the reverse wire.

 

Which wire is the reverse wire in the extender ? Is it the center of the 7-pin ? Thanks!

 

Yep! Very center, white wire. My tundra has the pinouts for the wires right on the plug at the hitch. First vehicle I've had that they thought to include it. This is my first personal Toyota and between the yellow replaceable interior panel clips and helpful stuff like that I have been impressed.

 

Yep.

 

Works like a charm Thanks!

 

just now installed mine, looking for the reverse light wire.

 

It's labeled on the rear bumper

 

got it. It was a lot easier than I expected. This thread helped a lot!

 

My light has a 4 pin connector. I don't want to have to plug it in the plug above the bumper. How did the rest of you wire yours? Mine came with no instructions. It is made by Auskin.

 

See post #15 above.

 

y'all gonna make me spend $ on the lightbar and the curt plug.

Been wanting one but didnt want to splice any wires.