Tailgate Light Bar From OPT-7 How I Made it Work For The Ranger

[NotBudule2]

Everytime I think i want one, I end up behind somebody that has one and its got missing leds or its half burnt out... and some are expensive...

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[OCL]

It would be nice to see a few pictures of it installed on his truck. I always wanted one of these lights but the Putco one was way too expensive and this one (by looking at the picture online) doesn't look like it'll clear the tailgate when closed. There's very little room and I can barely get my finger in there but maybe it sits just far enough back? @OCL could you snap a few pictures of yours? One with the tailgate open and another with it closed would be great.

I'll try to get a picture tonight when I get home and get access to my truck.

 

[AzScorpion]

I'll try to get a picture tonight when I get home and get access to my truck.

That would be nice to see. I just think when you (or anyone) starts a thread that has some questions about the product or the instal adding a few pictures really helps others get a visual as to what's going on. While the links to everything do help, some like myself are very visual people and it helps us make more sense of things.

 

[OCL]

But for that reverse tap at least it can be on the wires of the Opt-7 t-harness that is adding the 4 pin instead of on the truck's OE harness. Or buy the Opt-7 t-harness with 4pin+reverse as he stated he used (which is not the amazon image he first shared).

I really want to apologize because I didn't think you guys would get so technical and exact. So I didn't document my installation at all. Hence no pics. When I did a deep search in this Forum, I found bits of information here and there. The Tekonsha info was buried deep inside another old thread that I found by reading the whole thing, and even then the info was very light. I had to piece together all those bits of info on parts and dove in with both feet, and went to work.

 

[Big Blue]

Yes, the wiring is simple -

1. The Tekonsha Module - Has a 4-Pin connector (inputs) and a set of unconnected wires for the outputs to the Lightbar or an optional 4-Pin connector for the connection to the Lightbar

You are confusing the inputs and outputs of the Teknosha module. The unconnected wires are the inputs and the 4 pin connector is the output.

The purpose of the module is to take the tailight circuits from a tow vehicle with separate brake and turn signal lights (as out truck does) and combine them into the standard brake/turn circuits used in the 4 pin trailer connector.

Really? Nasty? Are you always this sensitive?

You're a big boy. You can figure it out using just those pics I sent. Let's start with white wire goes to the white reverse light, Green goes to right turn signal,...c'mon dude! They're color coded. Tekonsha provides the wire color diagram. OPT-7 also provides the diagram. The adapter...well it's just an adapter with male and female ends. The pointy end goes into the holes.... I don't know what else to tell you. If you want it, get the parts, get under your truck and go to work. Don't like it, return it.

Alright, you originally made this sound like a plug and play solution. And the parts you told us you used do not plug together. So I simply requested a diagram of how they fit together. You have continually refused to do so. You have continually said to look at the websites for the parts. Well they don't they do not show them being connected for the purpose you are using them. So I why why are you so testy about providing us with the information of how you did this. I'm sure other people would like this info as well.

 

[OCL]

That would be nice to see. I just think when you (or anyone) starts a thread that has some questions about the product or the instal adding a few pictures really helps others get a visual as to what's going on. While the links to everything do help, some like myself are very visual people and it helps us make more sense of things.

I get it.

I know folks have done this in years past but now it's 2026 and our trucks first came out in 2019! So the important bits of knowledge from those who walked down this path are now buried in a myriad of other old threads now.

 

[OCL]

Alright, you originally made this sound like a plug and play solution. And the parts you told us you used do not plug together. So I simply requested a diagram of how they fit together. You have continually refused to do so. You have continually said to look at the websites for the parts. Well they don't they do not show them being connected for the purpose you are using them. So I why why are you so testy about providing us with the information of how you did this. I'm sure other people would like this info as well.

My goodness! Quit bitching and just go to work.

 

[OCL]

Everytime I think i want one, I end up behind somebody that has one and its got missing leds or its half burnt out... and some are expensive...

No guarantees because there's at least half a dozen taillight bars on Amazon alone, ranging from cheap to expensive. When buying lights I always have to read reviews, and find one that at least claims to be IP67 dust & water compliant, no exposed LED chips, and hope for the best.

 

[Big Blue]

My goodness! Quit bitching and just go to work.

No bitching, just questions!

 

[OCL]

No bitching, just questions!

You're very skeptical and I guess that's a good trait. Theres never any guarantees with these things. I'd say buy the parts, save the packaging, and do a "soft" install then test thoroughly. The testing can be done without driving the truck or even attaching the lightbar. You need a second person to confirm lights work. If the setup doesn't work, return the items. I've done this before with Amazon bought parts. UPS Store makes it super easy to drop off returns to Amazon, at least in my area.

 

[Big Blue]

You're very skeptical and I guess that's a good trait. Theres never any guarantees with these things. I'd say buy the parts, save the packaging, and do a "soft" install then test thoroughly. The testing can be done without driving the truck or even attaching the lightbar. You need a second person to confirm lights work. If the setup doesn't work, return the items. I've done this before with Amazon bought parts. UPS Store makes it super easy to drop off returns to Amazon, at least in my area.

Not skeptical, just curious. I am a retired mechanical designer who worked closely with electrical engineers on machine control projects. So I have some electrical experience/knowledge. I enjoy @airline tech sometimes long and technical explanations even though I may only understand a quarter of them. I do understand basic wiring and color codes.

This whole conversation would have ended much quicker and friendlier with a connection diagram or an I'll get you one when I get back home. As it is I don't understand how the parts you have shown is work together to do what you say they do and that has peaked my interest.

 

[NotBudule2]

My plan was to run all the way to the factory 3rd brake lamp and avoid the trailer warning altogether , which I would have to do anyway with the EGR rollbar I plan to install as that is how the factory does it... if someday ever gets here...

 

[Big Blue]

My plan was to run all the way to the factory 3rd brake lamp and avoid the trailer warning altogether , which I would have to do anyway with the EGR rollbar I plan to install as that is how the factory does it... if someday ever gets here...

That will get you brake lights and nothing else. No turn, No marker, nothing but brakes.

 

[NotBudule2]

That will get you brake lights and nothing else. No turn, No marker, nothing but brakes.

That's good enough to help from getting rear ended ... im not crazy about the turn signal part anyway... and i imagine one could go a little further up front and tap into the front markers and turn signals and avoid the trailer warning ...

 

[airline tech]

You are confusing the inputs and outputs of the Teknosha module. The unconnected wires are the inputs and the 4 pin connector is the output.

The purpose of the module is to take the tailight circuits from a tow vehicle with separate brake and turn signal lights (as out truck does) and combine them into the standard brake/turn circuits used in the 4 pin trailer connector.

Alright, you originally made this sound like a plug and play solution. And the parts you told us you used do not plug together. So I simply requested a diagram of how they fit together. You have continually refused to do so. You have continually said to look at the websites for the parts. Well they don't they do not show them being connected for the purpose you are using them. So I why why are you so testy about providing us with the information of how you did this. I'm sure other people would like this info as well.

You are correct on specifics - yes, the prewired 4-Pin is the Lightbar

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