Installing Rear I.D. lights
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Springs,MI
Are you still able to use the trailer plug and still have the light functional? Where did you purchase it?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
My hole pattern is 16-1/8" centers.
It looks to me like Grote 49172
http://grote.com/product.php?product_number=49172
or Grote 49182
http://grote.com/product.php?product_number=49182
look the closest, although the hole pattern is off 1/8". Probably would still work fine, but if there is a better fit that would be preferred.
I don't care about the electrical plug, won't use that anyway.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
Best I can recall I pick my LED light bar up from Sportsmans guide. However Etrailer.com and JC Whitney also had a pretty good price, as does Harbor Freight and Northern Tool.
They also make an LED light bar that does double duty. Not only does it light up as running lights, turn signals, and brake lights. It also lights up with clear lights for use as back up lights when you put the truck into reverse.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
For anyone who has the Ford light strip, which of the Grote offerings do you think is the same as the Ford.
My hole pattern is 16-1/8" centers.
It looks to me like Grote 49172
http://grote.com/product.php?product_number=49172
or Grote 49182
http://grote.com/product.php?product_number=49182
look the closest, although the hole pattern is off 1/8". Probably would still work fine, but if there is a better fit that would be preferred.
I don't care about the electrical plug, won't use that anyway.
My hole pattern is 16-1/8" centers.
It looks to me like Grote 49172
http://grote.com/product.php?product_number=49172
or Grote 49182
http://grote.com/product.php?product_number=49182
look the closest, although the hole pattern is off 1/8". Probably would still work fine, but if there is a better fit that would be preferred.
I don't care about the electrical plug, won't use that anyway.
From what I can gather, the "real deal" is a Truck-Lite 1515,
http://www.levineautoparts.com/trmo15poidba.html
but the closest I could find Locally was the Peterson Manufacturing 150-3R. See:
http://www.pmlights.com/products.cfm...fId=2&pId=1730
For a close-up, see:
http://www.pmlights.com/assets%5Cpro...m647856116.jpg
I got mine locally at Valley Friction Materials in Canoga Park, in January of '05, for $19.95.
If I recall, at the time the Truck-Lite page read something like "same as Ford", or something similar.
I can't tell the difference, if there IS one.
The Grote 49172 should be the same, too.
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Thanks Marv. I emailed a sponsor here to see about the Ford unit. I would prefer the actual Ford part, although I'm not sure why. Haven't heard anything yet. The Trucklite model does say "Direct Replacement for Ford".
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,849
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Ford part number to order from me is.
F81Z15444AA
and since you are dressing up the rear end for those who have the 08 up tailgates throw on one of these while you are at it. (can be found in my special section.)
tailgate lettering
F81Z15444AA
and since you are dressing up the rear end for those who have the 08 up tailgates throw on one of these while you are at it. (can be found in my special section.)
tailgate lettering
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Ordered. Thanks Ed.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: northeast florida
I am surprised more folks have not done this mod. It will look good but not a good as my DRW with the clearance lights mounted in the fenders. I figure you can never have too many or too bright lights at night.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 3
From: 92592
These guys may have other sources for the lights,
http://www.travel-images.com/photo-india418.html
Sorry, couldn't resist!
http://www.travel-images.com/photo-india418.html
Sorry, couldn't resist!
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Got my lamps installed this morning. About a 15 minute job. For those looking at other sources for the lamp, be careful. The OEM lamp barely clears the bottom of the tailgate when you swing the gate down. I'm sure other units will work okay too, just saying to be aware of the limited clearance available. I bought the lamp from Ed as noted in above posts.
For those wondering about wiring, Ford uses Brown wire for all the running, tail, marker lamps. I think that is pretty consistent over the years, and of course Black is always ground. You'll find the bundle of wires to your tail lights attached to the bottom of the bed directly behind the location of the new center lamp. I just cut off the Ford plug and didn't have to add any extra wire to reach the existing loom. The existing loom has your Brown and your Black ground. Just splice into them. You could also use your license plate lamps, it's all the same circuit and is easier to get to those, but I think you are better off going upward with the wire to the tail light loom. I lowered my spare tire to make it much easier to get to the wires. Couldn't be easier really, and a very inexpensive mod.
For those wondering about wiring, Ford uses Brown wire for all the running, tail, marker lamps. I think that is pretty consistent over the years, and of course Black is always ground. You'll find the bundle of wires to your tail lights attached to the bottom of the bed directly behind the location of the new center lamp. I just cut off the Ford plug and didn't have to add any extra wire to reach the existing loom. The existing loom has your Brown and your Black ground. Just splice into them. You could also use your license plate lamps, it's all the same circuit and is easier to get to those, but I think you are better off going upward with the wire to the tail light loom. I lowered my spare tire to make it much easier to get to the wires. Couldn't be easier really, and a very inexpensive mod.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Memphis, TN
The Grote Lights came on my 08 F-350 DRW Lariat, I took them off and installed a 60" White & Red LED Tailgate Bar from Recon
http://www.gorecon.com/product.php?pk=47
it Functions as:
***WHITE LED Reverse Light***
RED LED Running Lights
RED LED Parking Lights
RED LED Brake Lights (6x brighter than running lights)
RED LED Hazard Lights
RED LED Turn Signals
Cass
http://www.gorecon.com/product.php?pk=47
it Functions as:
***WHITE LED Reverse Light***
RED LED Running Lights
RED LED Parking Lights
RED LED Brake Lights (6x brighter than running lights)
RED LED Hazard Lights
RED LED Turn Signals
Cass