Maybe someone here has the answer...
I purchased a tailgate light bar for my 2018 XLT and never installed it. Now I want to install it on my 2019 Lariat. It would have been no problem on my 2018 with incandescent/halogen lights, but my 2019 is all LED.
I remember starting with the 2015’s, LED’s causing issues when tapping into the tail lights, so I’m apprehensive to butcher wiring in my 2019. Recon makes decoder box for $90, but when I ask, they say to just tap into the tail lights and I will have no issues. Did this issue just vaporize? Why sell the decoder now? Recon’s product descriptions stink, and I feel I’m heading down a slippery slope. I guess I could try to find plugs with pigtails that match the tail lights and test wire them to avoid cutting into the existing harnesses, but that seems like I’m just going to find the same answer I already suspect I’ll receive... it won’t work.
Ive had the bar, along with the Big Rig lights for almost two years. No returning now. Not interested in buying another. Anyone try this? The also say I’ll have no issues with the Big Rigs. Hmmmmm. Any help is appreciated.

Smoke

 

My guess is that the wiring is the same regardless of whether the tail lights are incandescent or LED. The voltages should be the same. Only the current will be different. It's possible the BCM will notice the change in current, as the LED lightbar will be noticeably different if your tail lights are LED. When the tail lights are incandescent the change in current would have been barely noticeable.

Bottom line is that I could not say one way or another. However, if you have some free time on a weekend, you might just hook it up and test it (without bolting it in).

 

Our you could plug it into the trailer connector... you then don't trigger the start stop system if the diesel has that. Just a thought and I imagine your light bar is LEDs so it shouldn't affect the bcm either.

 

Our you could plug it into the trailer connector... you then don't trigger the start stop system if the diesel has that. Just a thought and I imagine your light bar is LEDs so it shouldn't affect the bcm either.

 

My 2019 Lariat has LED everywhere except the rear license plate lights for some strange reason. They are normal incandescent bulbs. Are yours LED?

 

Yes lariat 502se leds everywhere except license...

 

IF you have a trailer connector then it should not care if your trailer is LED or not, so that would be a great place to connect, but maybe the backup light connection....

I did just this connection with a Putco Red Blade. The instructions got confusing with bridge wires, and connecting to the 7 pin trailering connector, and to be fair they did offer the 4 pin connection strategy though it wasn't a linear path to see it - and if you hadn't reviewed all the instructions you may have removed the 4 pin from the light before seeing it.

I do not have a trailering package, 7 pin connector, LED lighting nor lane keeping on my 2019 XLT, so I used the 4 pin trailer connector to "test" the light bar. Worked perfectly! OK, braver now I scotch locked per PUTCO instructions the backup light connection (my biggest reason for getting the bar) into the driver side tail light and I've been using it for 5 days without any issues.
If I do trailer and need the 4 pin socket to connect the trailer lights, I can do without the bar or try a splitter..

I DO NOT HAVE LED TAIL LIGHTS - just to be clear.
Hope you get to use the light bar!

 

"scotch lock connectors are usually the least damaging way to connect and it is easy to weatherproof the splice with tape"

I disagree.

The least damaging way to tap into a vehicle circuit is to open any typical plug/socket combination and insert matching socket/plug wiring. You can do almost whatever you want to the added wiring without damaging the OEM circuits.

Scotch lock connectors are easy to use, but they pierce the insulation and encourage corrosion. Although hidden, that corrosion will increase the circuit's resistance after a time.

Electricians tape does not add weatherproofing, to the contrary, it will trap moisture.

Sorry, not trying to be argumentative, but I don't want anyone to damage their vehicle thinking they are doing the right thing.

 

Try using one of those “T” connector quick trailer wiring harnesses. You unplug the tail light harness then plug it in. Then you will have wires to access without having to touch the truck’s wiring.

https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56110

 

^^^^^Best advice right there ^^^^^