Tailgate Light Bar

[Msfitoy]

Ok I was trying to hold out, but Im installing six Surefire Hellfire lights on the front of my truck. I suspect I can use it to catch other cars on fire.

https://www.amazon.com/SureFire-HF4B-Hellfire-Searchlight-Weapon/dp/B007S0L73O

I guess if I was serious I could opt for the HellFighter 5....

https://www.surefire.com/products/illumination/crew-served-weaponlights/hellfighter-5-spot-light/

That's one hella mil spec $2 million dolla flash light... ? ?

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[cbrooker72]

So I put the 60" light bar on the back of my tailgate and plugged into the 4 pin trailer connect. I put 3 ft trailer on for the BLIS. However, I get errors all the time that the trailer is connected/disconnected; left light out, right light out. Drives me nuts because it dings all the time when I step on the brakes. I've heard wiring directly into my taillight harness will void my 3/36,000 mile warranty on the electrical system.

I noticed people purchased in other forums this https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-119...child=1&keywords=119178&qid=1617114325&sr=8-1 ... but is this wired into the trailer 4 pin or the taillight?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[P. A. Schilke]

So I put the 60" light bar on the back of my tailgate and plugged into the 4 pin trailer connect. I put 3 ft trailer on for the BLIS. However, I get errors all the time that the trailer is connected/disconnected; left light out, right light out. Drives me nuts because it dings all the time when I step on the brakes. I've heard wiring directly into my taillight harness will void my 3/36,000 mile warranty on the electrical system.

I noticed people purchased in other forums this https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-119...child=1&keywords=119178&qid=1617114325&sr=8-1 ... but is this wired into the trailer 4 pin or the taillight?

Thanks in advance for any help

Hi Corey,

No problem with my tailgate light bar but I only have the 4 pin connector.

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Muscleford]

You were able to use a 60" bar? T thought the Ranger needed the 48" bar. Glad I returned the 48" one i bought.

 

[T Bone]

You were able to use a 60" bar? T thought the Ranger needed the 48" bar. Glad I returned the 48" one i bought.

you might want to measure the area where you mount that lightbar.........my 48 fit, but a 60 would be a no go

 

[cbrooker72]

you might want to measure the area where you mount that lightbar.........my 48 fit, but a 60 would be a no go

sorry it was a 50" mictung and I had to take the end caps off and remove the brackets to fit it side by side

 

[cbrooker72]

Hi Corey,

No problem with my tailgate light bar but I only have the 4 pin connector.

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Hey Phil ... actually reached out to Ford folks I know and he put me in touch with a lady (Abby) who forwarded my issue to the Australia electrical team. They basically told me to tap into the taillight harness, but afraid that will void my warranty. I suppose I could buy another harness and swap out if I ever had electrical issues.

 

[Msfitoy]

So I put the 60" light bar on the back of my tailgate and plugged into the 4 pin trailer connect. I put 3 ft trailer on for the BLIS. However, I get errors all the time that the trailer is connected/disconnected; left light out, right light out. Drives me nuts because it dings all the time when I step on the brakes. I've heard wiring directly into my taillight harness will void my 3/36,000 mile warranty on the electrical system.

I noticed people purchased in other forums this https://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-119...child=1&keywords=119178&qid=1617114325&sr=8-1 ... but is this wired into the trailer 4 pin or the taillight?

Thanks in advance for any help

I had the exact same issue with my Mototote LED light set...they mentioned that all the newer models with LED modules are having fault issues and the cause is due to the extreme low power draw of LEDs...I returned them...I think the correct resistors might work if you want to experiment...

 

[Stevie Gee]

I recently spoke with PUTCO again...they have been and ARE working on a plug and play harness for their Blade light bars that’ll relieve all errors with the 2019+ Ranger. It should be out by summer 2021.
Things were delayed due to the pandemic

 

[Muscleford]

I also spoke with putco yesterday regarding tailgate light bar for the Ranger. Got the same info, working on a light bar that will work with the five wire on the Ranger. Estimate of 120 days to availability.

 

[Powerpulse]

The way our trucks are setup doesn’t matter where you tap in for the signals. If the control module senses more load than what is normal it will error out. As others have said use trailer attached to override error but lose functionality. Isolators are the only way to add one without throwing errors. I would imagine by now someone out there has a plug and play that can tap in between main harness connector to bed and then into a box that would have taps for your needs.

Hi,
Did you ever get this issue resolved?

 

[GTGallop]

Question...
Is there a harness or plug behind the bumper you are accessing? I want to install one of these but the only thing stopping me is that I want:
1. Not to have it plugged into the trailer harness on the outside of the bumper.
2. Not to have to cut and splice wires.

I'm looking for plug and play go that's clean and well executed. And yes... Ford SHOULD have thought of that in the process. Making mods simple and easy is one of the things that makes Toyota and Jeep products popular and grows the aftermarket support for the brand. Trucks need to be flexible and Ford SHOULD have allowed this to be a possibility. The question is, did they?

 

[NotBudule]

Question...
Is there a harness or plug behind the bumper you are accessing? I want to install one of these but the only thing stopping me is that I want:
1. Not to have it plugged into the trailer harness on the outside of the bumper.
2. Not to have to cut and splice wires.

I'm looking for plug and play go that's clean and well executed. And yes... Ford SHOULD have thought of that in the process. Making mods simple and easy is one of the things that makes Toyota and Jeep products popular and grows the aftermarket support for the brand. Trucks need to be flexible and Ford SHOULD have allowed this to be a possibility. The question is, did they?

Putco makes a plug and play inwas looking at a while back , it was pricey...

 

[BettaRanga]

Question...
Is there a harness or plug behind the bumper you are accessing? I want to install one of these but the only thing stopping me is that I want:
1. Not to have it plugged into the trailer harness on the outside of the bumper.
2. Not to have to cut and splice wires.

I'm looking for plug and play go that's clean and well executed. And yes... Ford SHOULD have thought of that in the process. Making mods simple and easy is one of the things that makes Toyota and Jeep products popular and grows the aftermarket support for the brand. Trucks need to be flexible and Ford SHOULD have allowed this to be a possibility. The question is, did they?

The Putco one looks really nice. If you try it please post pics. It’s one I’ve pondered for a future mod.

 

[Dahveed]

I will echo the others and say that the one from Putco looks really nice. But at nearly $350...damn.

https://www.putco.com/product/blade-tailgate-light-bar-plug-n-play/v/Ford/Ranger/2020/

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