How to: Retrofit 2017 Raptor third tail onto 2015-2017 F150
 

Thanks to Steve at Tasca for helping me find the part number for the Raptor third tail light. It is HL3Z-13A613-B.

Below is a picture of the two tail lights side by side (Top is my factory 2016 F150 tail light, bottom is the 2017 Raptor tail light.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...a1914e481a.jpg

Here is a picture of the original tail light still installed on my truck. In order to remove it, 4 screws must be removed. The screws will accept a flat head screwdriver, T20 torx head bit, or a 7mm standard socket.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...571f4d3b27.jpg

As you can see in the below picture, the new tail light is not plug and play. The new tail light has one additional pin.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...7a3bdc39d3.jpg

This is solved simply by cutting the plugs off both lights, and splicing the 3 pin plug onto the new tail light. The tail lights use the same wire colors, so simply splice the wires together to their matching colored wires. The remaining solid light blue wire that does not match any wires on the plug needs to be spliced onto a longer wire and hooked to running light power. (I have it hooked to a red wire in the picture - its the only color of wire I had in that small of a gauge)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...6c0d48cc73.jpg

I have not connected the running light power to the new tail light yet, but it operates just fine until I get that done. My plan is to run the wire to one of the headlights and splice in there. Eventually I will get my hands on a raptor grill and need to splice in running light power there anyway, so I figured I would only cut one wire to power both the tail light and the future grill lights.

Below is a picture of the finished product (sorry, I don't have any night pictures). If you look closely you can see the three red LED's and the two white LED's. This is brake lights on, and cargo light on. Once I get the running light power hooked up I will post some night pics.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...09ccc8604e.jpg

So when the brakes are on, it shows red all across?

When the brakes are on, three individual LEDs turn on bright (both sides and middle). With the running lights (I don't have them hooked up yet), those same 3 LEDs are on half brightness.

The raptor light looks larger than original, did the screw holes match up?

Exactly the same shape and size. The camera angle is just weird that makes the one look bigger. The screw holes line up.

That's exactly how I said I did it on my post a few months back...I just didn't tapinnthe running light yet either..what's the easiest way to get it somewhere?

I am still undecided on how I am going to tap into the running light circuit. I was originally thinking right at the headlight switch, but then I saw how small the wires are. I'm thinking maybe going right to a headlight. One day, when I get a raptor grille I don't have to cut any other wires. Have one spot to steal power for both the grille lights and the tail light....

No longer plug-n-play?
 

I did this mod on my 2013. Because I had a FX4 with Hill Decent, it was a plug-n-play application. I now have a 2017 FX4 Lariat, which also has Hill Decent. I was planning on doing this same modification. Am I understanding that this is not plug-n-play with the new generation F-150? I see you have a FX4 as well. I assume yours has Hill Decent, as that's part of the FX4 option package. I just wanted to clarify so I know how much work is involved beforehand. Thank you!!.

On my 2013 it was plug and play, but you still had to run a wire for the running light power. The 2016 you have to cut the harness end of the factory third tail and splice it onto the raptor third tail. And run a wire for running light power.

Gibby1234, If you have to run a wire, it's not "plug-n-play". My 2013 had the Hill Decent option, which meant the fourth wire for the running lights was included in the harness for the third brake light. When I plugged the Raptor brake light into it, the LED running lights worked as designed. No need to run a wire to the parking lights. I guess I will just pop my brake light off to verify what I will need to make this conversion. I was hoping because I have a FX4 it would just plug in and everything would work like it did in 2013.