Putco (Others) Tailgate Brake Light Bar F-150

[Kodiak]

I am just posting this with a subject that might be easier for people to find if they do a search. This is in response to a number of threads that have some information scattered in them.

When I first started thinking about adding a brake light bar I noticed a tailgate guide in the space that these lights would go. This is for any tailgate light bar and not just the Putco ones.

Some suggestions were offered to build up the bracket that holds the bar and also to replace the bolts with flat head bolts to lower the height that is needed for clearance. A parts sleuth found that these are M8 21mm bolts. The Ford diagram that he posted showed this but not the thread pitch.

(1) Part Sleuths Objective – Can You Tell Me? | F150gen14 -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Tremor, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | News, Owners, Community, Discussions

I got some M8 20mm with a 1.25 thread and these were the correct ones. I replaced the large Ford bolts with these flatter head bolts. You can see the difference in the photo. This does not eliminate the need for some height for the light bar, but this helps tremendously.

Sponsored

 

[sbi]

I am curious though, since I am not an engineer - would a flat bolt have the same "hold power" as a flange bolt, even if it's the same size? Why would Ford choose to use a flange bolt in this case and not flat head? Not saying it's not the same, just curious.
Actually, maybe easier installation in the assembly line?!

 

[Kodiak]

When I first took one of the Ford bolts out, I said "this thing is enormous compared to the M8 bolts I bought." I was afraid that there was not a lot of area holding the bracket down and that it may not be enough. However, the hole in the bracket was not much larger than the diameter of the bolt so there was still some decent surface area for holding the bracket in place.

With that said the bracket is just a guide for the tailgate and others have said that if you do not plan on taking the tailgate on and off, then it really is not needed. When you look at this bracket it really does not do anything and the large bolts are overkill. Now I am a big believer of overkill but this interfered with other plans.

I suspect that this flange bolt may be used for other parts so this is an easily accessible item and a case of if it works, use what you already got.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Waiting for pics of your light bar install.

 

[mrblonde]

Any less expensive quality options to the Putco?

 

[Kodiak]

Any less expensive quality options to the Putco?

HA! That is on my list to do. However, I will say this. So far, here is what learned.

The lower cost "regular" Putco without the programing light show, is about $375 and maybe I could catch some holiday sale. I really just want it for the brake light addition and turn signal. Any additional light when in reverse is just a plus but due to its location under the tailgate, I can't imagine that it would be very good for light projection. It really is just a light you see.

The Putco comes with brackets that hold the rigid bar (IMO important it is rigid and not flexible) above the back of the tailgate so you already get some relief from that Ford tailgate bracket. One other member said that they just used some extra 3M mounting tape to get the additional height relief that was needed. This is easy.

Taillight harnesses so no trailer plugin or wiretapping.

These 3 things (rigid light bar) (easy of modification for the brackets) (harness hookup) are the criteria I will use when I go hunting for other options. I have seen trucks with flexible lightbars and if they have any "waviness" to them and not a straight line, they look kind of cheap to me.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I've seen many times light bars with bunch of LED out. Never thought to ask people in traffic what brand they are using.

I don't remember seeing any negative posts about Putco products on here. Ford uses them for official accessories.

 

[sbi]

HA! That is on my list to do. However, I will say this. So far, here is what learned.

The lower cost "regular" Putco without the programing light show, is about $375 and maybe I could catch some holiday sale. I really just want it for the brake light addition and turn signal. Any additional light when in reverse is just a plus but due to its location under the tailgate, I can't imagine that it would be very good for light projection. It really is just a light you see.

The Putco comes with brackets that hold the rigid bar (IMO important it is rigid and not flexible) above the back of the tailgate so you already get some relief from that Ford tailgate bracket. One other member said that they just used some extra 3M mounting tape to get the additional height relief that was needed. This is easy.

Taillight harnesses so no trailer plugin or wiretapping.

These 3 things (rigid light bar) (easy of modification for the brackets) (harness hookup) are the criteria I will use when I go hunting for other options. I have seen trucks with flexible lightbars and if they have any "waviness" to them and not a straight line, they look kind of cheap to me.

I would be hesitant to use the Putco brackets because it leaves a small gap between the light bar and the truck's body. I suspect that during rain/snow, tons of dirt will be sucked into that gap and it will be a pain to clean properly.

I am really hoping to find a good/bright reverse lights that go underneath the bumper with a wire harness, I hate tapping into OEM wires unless my life depends on it . The bar for brake/signal lights is nice, but better reverse light is my top priority.

 

[ReverendQ]

I am just posting this with a subject that might be easier for people to find if they do a search. This is in response to a number of threads that have some information scattered in them.

When I first started thinking about adding a brake light bar I noticed a tailgate guide in the space that these lights would go. This is for any tailgate light bar and not just the Putco ones.

Some suggestions were offered to build up the bracket that holds the bar and also to replace the bolts with flat head bolts to lower the height that is needed for clearance. A parts sleuth found that these are M8 21mm bolts. The Ford diagram that he posted showed this but not the thread pitch.

(1) Part Sleuths Objective – Can You Tell Me? | F150gen14 -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Tremor, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | News, Owners, Community, Discussions

I got some M8 20mm with a 1.25 thread and these were the correct ones. I replaced the large Ford bolts with these flatter head bolts. You can see the difference in the photo. This does not eliminate the need for some height for the light bar, but this helps tremendously.

See Raptor CHMSL meets Morimoto tails meets Putco light bar on another forum. I finally got around to installing the Putco 60" Tailgate Light Bar. Their installation instructions leave much to be desired, the QR code in the box was for 2018! Not allot of guidance one what to do about the tail gate bolts, I replaced them with a couple of M8-1.25 pan head machine screws. Plug and play harness meant I had a ton of extra wire to stuff in the bed cross member. Did take the opportunity to dielectric grease all connections.

 

[Stevenrausch]

Any less expensive quality options to the Putco?

Did you try F150LED. ? Seems to me to be a better quality

Sponsored