Forum Discussion

Bobbo's avatar
Bobbo
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2018

Connecting to existing wiring.

The backup lights on my 2017 F-150 are deplorable. I am going to add a tailgate light bar and hook it to the reverse light wire of my truck to get adequate light. I know that the ScotchLock connectors are horrible. What is/are good means of connecting to the tail light wires? I would rather not actually cut the wires and use butt connectors to reconnect them if that can be avoided. (I haven't decided yet if I am just going to hook to the reverse wire and ground, or if I am going to hook to all of the lights and have marker/turn signals/brakes also working.)

39 Replies

  • You should have a rather thick gage constant voltage wire to your 7 way connector, if you have one. Good point about the computer monitoring the loads on the lighting circuits, might want to investigate that one.

    The "I don't think others would like it" statement is rediculas.
    The light bar will ONLY light in reverse. I don't think you will be dropping it in reverse driving down the road.

    "I know many, many people don't trust them but if they are so bad, why does 3M sell billions of them every year."

    Many many professionals spend a significant amount of time removing those connectors from hatchet jobs. I can't recall know how many of those I have stripped out of the undersides of tow vehicles, fithwheels, travel trailers and class A motorhomes. Perhaps dielectric grease and shrink tubing to weather proof outside wiring. I'm not saying they are junk, just not for me.
    I wish i had kept some pictures of the connectors i stripped out.
    Keep us posted on your project.
  • D.E.Bishop wrote:
    I know many, many people don't trust them but if they are so bad, why does 3M sell billions of them every year?


    Because hundreds of thousands of mechanics, car audio installers, and similar people operate on the theory that TIME IS MONEY. Get the car in and out of the bay as quick as possible, so they can get the NEXT car in. And if the connection fails 3 or 4 years down the road, well, it's not THEIR problem, is it?

    D.E.Bishop wrote:
    There is no SIMPLE, EASY way of making 100 percent liquid tight connections.


    There we are in complete agreement. Soldered connections and ADHESIVE heat shrink tubing is the way to go.
  • You might research it more. Maybe it's no big deal and there may already be aftermarket products available for exactly that but some of these lights are computer controlled.
  • Here is a LINK to a variety of Scotch Brand taps.

    I know many, many people don't trust them but if they are so bad, why does 3M sell billions of them every year. And contrary to your belief, ScotchLock connectors are very good. The City of Los Angeles has over 4500 intersections that have traffic signals. The wires are run through underground conduits and the conduits end in surface grade pullboxes. If you lift the loose fitting concrete lids you will find that there are hundreds of thousands of twist on Scotchlocks splicing those wires together. While TS wiring is solid copper and vehicle wiring is generally stranded, they do work extremely well with solid wire.

    There are several types of Scotch brand "T" taps and two wire or trailer taps that also sell in the billions every year. Some say that the metal tap you push over the wire will cut the strands, if you use the correct size, there will be little or no damage to the strands.

    If you absolutely must have weather resistant connections, there are Scotch connectors for that too. There is no SIMPLE, EASY way of making 100 percent liquid tite connections.

    Don't get too worried about the connections and keep them simple.
  • Have you checked the trailer connector for a reverse light wire?
    I agree that others will not like your light bar install.
    Have you tried brighter LED style lamps to improve lighting?
  • Consider a relay if that lightbar draws a significant load.
  • I cut, solder, rubber tape, then heat shrink. Shrink the shrink before the 'tape' dries so it gets squished out of the shrink ends. Makes a waterproof connection.
  • I came across someone that put a light bar on their reverse circuit. He blasted everyone behind him while navigating a dark parking lot. I'm glad he could see because he destroyed my night vision for a good 30 seconds.
  • in my opinion, I cut solder and shrink tube wires that are out in the weather. wire nuts and crimp connector,s will fail in time.