tomasulo

Hi guys,

This week, I stepped up and traded my 2011 Eco for a 2015 5.0L. My last two F150's I have used a Putco LED tailgate light bar, that plugs into the trailer wiring harness on the back of the truck (the 4-pin one). In the 2011 truck, the plug ins were under the bumper, by the hitch. I notice on the 2015, the 4-way and 7-way are located up on the bumper. This will look ugly if I permanently plug in my tailgate bar here. Has anyone wired/spliced directly into the wires under the truck, for a clean install on such a light? Thanks for your help!

Madcap57

Not so fast. It will make the truck think a trailer is hooked up.
See here:
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/troub...ht-bar-364142/

tomasulo

Thank you! I read some, and maybe yourself or others can clarify...but the issues seem to be only with owners that have factory LED tail lights and/or the blind spot monitoring system? I have a straight up FX4 with halogen bulbs. Maybe I am still safe to direct wire either into trailer harness or directly to the tail light wires (turn wires, brake, reverse)?

Madcap57

I used to use a light up hitch cover but due to these issues I haven't since I do have BLIS and don't want to run a wire or have BLIS disabled. Sorry once i discovered these issues I didn't pursue it further. You might be ok since you don't have BLIS but I imagine your truck will still fire up the trailer connected screen each time you start which is annoying in itself.

LostinWorship

Madcap is correct. If you plug into the trailer plugs the truck will think a trailer is hooked up. I have a Putco switchblade light bar installed on my 16 XLT w/o BLIS. I first tried to splice into the seven pin harness wiring and it worked at first but then because a load was on the wires it had the same result as plugging in to the harness. So I switched to wiring the light bar to the taillight wires. Spliced in the majority to the drivers side then ran a wire under the truck to the passenger taillight for the right blinker. This worked perfectly and it's been working for almost a year now with no issues. I used scotchlocks for the connects intending to go back and wire permanently just have not done so yet.

carrierj

Check this thread for the wiring on one of these.

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/how-w...-strip-339373/

BamaIsBack2010

I did the same and no issues for 6 months so far.

tomasulo

Thanks guys!! So it looks like I will try the same thing, wiring directly to the tail lights and run one wire to the right side light for the right blinker. Thanks guys!

tomasulo

This thread/link was fantastic!! Great tutorial on how to install a tail gate bar if you don't have LED or BLIS. Thx

carrierj

You're welcome, glad to pay it forward with helping on here. Attaching the wiring diagram from service manual for reference.