Installing LED Tailgate Light Bar on 2014 Ford F250 Using # 118158 Vehicle to Vehicle Converter

Question:

I have a 2014 F250 King Ranch and want to install a PlasmaGlow Firestorm tailgate light bar. The manufactures info on how to wire is vague. They say to use the four pin trailer connector, but this doesnt separate out the brake, turn lights. This light bar is a full function bar with scanning turn signals. I also want to hardwire and not have the wires pluged into the front on the trailer connector. How do I separate the combo line used for the brakes and turn signals? Is there an issue using the vehicle to vehicle converter 118549 with LEDs and on a daily continuous basis? All the info I have read is that this converter is used for towing trailers. Can this converter be used for a tailgate bar or is there another way? The manufacture states to wire scanning turn signals into the front turn signals and the brake into the high light brake light. This means taking down the head liner to get to the stop light and removing the grill on the front of the truck to get to the headlight assemblies to get to the front turn signals wiring. There has to be a better way. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you

asked by: Jeff W

Expert Reply:

What you are wanting to use is separate signals from the brake lamp and the turn signals. Using the 118459 would actually get you the opposite of what you're looking for. Use the # 118158 converter, and wire the inputs into the wiring feeding your trailer connector. The converter will separate out the brake signal for you. The orange wire from your light bar would connect to the red output wire from the converter. The green and yellow wires from the light bar would connect to the green and yellow wires from the converter.

This stands a pretty good chance of working but keep in mind your best bet would be installing the light bar as recommended by the manufacturer. Because this is not the purpose the converter is designed for, the LED lamps might not draw enough current for everything to work the way its supposed to.

expert reply by: Mike L