HOW TO: 2013+ LED Tails into a 4th Gen

dooramit · Oct 18, 2013

A friendly suggestion:

If you use the pigtail (Item #2 in the original post) that connects to the LED taillight plug, silicone the holes shut for the 2 empty terminals that aren't used.

If you hold the plug up to the light you can see right through the hole in the rubber insert on the backside of the plug. If any moisture/water gets in there its basically inside the entire connector.

KA1OTE · Oct 27, 2013

Hello!

I am from another forum and found you guys while searching for info on this exact topic. Thanks OP for posting the pics and write up. Very helpful. I am curious.. it has been asked a few times but I haven't found an answer in the thread.. is there a plug and play harness with the resistors built in? I am keen on the OEM wiring in the truck having done plenty of aftermarket light mods but this scares me.. even with the detailed write up. lol!

Thanks!

emjohn4 · Oct 27, 2013

KA1OTE said:
Hello!

I am from another forum and found you guys while searching for info on this exact topic. Thanks OP for posting the pics and write up. Very helpful. I am curious.. it has been asked a few times but I haven't found an answer in the thread.. is there a plug and play harness with the resistors built in? I am keen on the OEM wiring in the truck having done plenty of aftermarket light mods but this scares me.. even with the detailed write up. lol!

Thanks!

No "off the shelf' pnp harness exists. I've made a number of them, and just can't do it at a reasonable price and make a profit.

It either needs someone who is interested in making an investment and selling a bunch of them, or a DIY mod.

KA1OTE · Oct 27, 2013

Wow, thanks for the quick reply!

I can understand needing to make a profit.
I pride myself in doing most of my own mods however I see my future holds requesting my husband's help on this one lol!

Thanks again!

1500ram12 · Oct 28, 2013

KA1OTE said:
Hello!

I am from another forum and found you guys while searching for info on this exact topic. Thanks OP for posting the pics and write up. Very helpful. I am curious.. it has been asked a few times but I haven't found an answer in the thread.. is there a plug and play harness with the resistors built in? I am keen on the OEM wiring in the truck having done plenty of aftermarket light mods but this scares me.. even with the detailed write up. lol!

Thanks!

For oem projectors, yes. JJ at Retroshop makes plug and play adapters for $115 shipped.

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2711 · Mar 19, 2014

dooramit said:
Obviously, load resistors can be used on truck. Or based upon your truck's year you might have other cleaner & more reliable options:

For 2009 trucks the only method is to use load resistors.

For 2010 & 2011 trucks the "LBQ" sales code can be flashed to the TIPM (this requires dealer involvement).

2012 trucks have what I call a "LED Prep" wire already installed, you just have to find the L950 light green w/ with tracer wire near the Power Distribution Center in the engine compartment and ground it (it's coiled up with 4 additional wires & terminated with heat shrink).

2013 trucks have a few different ways to stay away from resistors: 1. if you have a VSIM in your truck you can find & ground the proper wire. 2. Cut the proper wire located at the CBC up under the dash by parking cable & above Alpine amp if you have the premium sound & ground it. 3. Use wire terminal kit #P68225777AA (which might already be included & laying in the glove box) to add a wire to an external connector located on driver's side behind front wheel well liner and grounding it.

All of this info I've acquired from the RAM Body Builder site with easily understandable color photos and step-by-step directions in PDF format. Because of where this all came from, there's no guarantee that '12 or '13 1500s or certain 2500s/3500s will have the proper wiring to stay away from resistors. My cousin has a '11 1500 and the dealer successfully flashed "LBQ" and it works. My '10 2500 has been flashed with "LBQ" and it works. My brother-in-law has a '12 2500 and it had the "LED Prep" wire and it works.

As for resistors...RAM specifies "9 or 10 Ohm 50 Watt load resistors." Seems a lot of people are using 6 Ohm 50 Watt and seem to work fine. I'm not an electrician so I don't know which one would actually be the best to use and/or which would be the cooler operating resistor...

Can you post some pics or explain more how to fix hyper flashing tail lights on a 2013 Express please? If I can avoid resistors that would be great. I guess the LBQ code doesn't work for 2013s.

2711 · Mar 19, 2014

Has the LBQ code worked for anyone with a 2013 RAM 1500?

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2711 · Mar 19, 2014

Reference:

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2013/docs/ram/ramelm.pdf

Okay, so I found these photos and instructions, but it says 2013 2500/3500 at the top of the page... then I looked under the dash of my 2013 1500... everything matches perfectly... so now I'm just working up the guts to cut a perfectly good wire on my new truck haha!

If I'm reading the instructions right, it says I'm supposed to cut the white/grey wire and ground the side that connected to the plug... what happens to the other side? I guess I'll tape it up at least.

Anyone got any comments or advice?

Thanks

firebuff17 · Mar 19, 2014

2711 said:
Reference:

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2013/docs/ram/ramelm.pdf

Okay, so I found these photos and instructions, but it says 2013 2500/3500 at the top of the page... then I looked under the dash of my 2013 1500... everything matches perfectly... so now I'm just working up the guts to cut a perfectly good wire on my new truck haha!

If I'm reading the instructions right, it says I'm supposed to cut the white/grey wire and ground the side that connected to the plug... what happens to the other side? I guess I'll tape it up at least.

Anyone got any comments or advice?

Thanks

I saw this too and was trying to do the same... Muster up some guts!! One of these days I think I will do it. Unless you do it first.

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2711 · Mar 19, 2014

Haha well if somebody can confirm that it's not just for 2500/3500 RAMs then I'll give it a shot.

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2711 · Mar 20, 2014

UPDATE! Fire guy, it won't work. I got confirmation from another forum member here who has a 2013 RAM 1500 and tried "method A" from the link... it failed.

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emjohn4 · Mar 20, 2014

I checked for my 2012, and it was only for the 2500/3500/up.

2711 · Mar 20, 2014

Thanks

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firebuff17 · Mar 20, 2014

Ok thanks.

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BluOx · Aug 10, 2014

2013 LED tail upgrade

Hi Guys,

I would like to upgrade my 13 Outdoorsman's taillights to the Sport LED's. Has anyone done this to a 13? The reason I ask is I'm wondering if I need to buy the whole kit with the pigtails or, if the wiring already exists, is it as simple and pulling the incandescent lights and plugging in the LED's? If I need the whole kit that's fine, but the instructions here (understandably) don't really address doing this on a 13 or newer RAM.

Any tips would be appreciated, this is my first brand new truck so I'm a bit apprehensive about making unnecessary (but wanted) changes...

~Blu

shaftman_05 · Oct 17, 2014

BluOx said:
Hi Guys,

I would like to upgrade my 13 Outdoorsman's taillights to the Sport LED's. Has anyone done this to a 13? The reason I ask is I'm wondering if I need to buy the whole kit with the pigtails or, if the wiring already exists, is it as simple and pulling the incandescent lights and plugging in the LED's? If I need the whole kit that's fine, but the instructions here (understandably) don't really address doing this on a 13 or newer RAM.

Any tips would be appreciated, this is my first brand new truck so I'm a bit apprehensive about making unnecessary (but wanted) changes...

~Blu

The plugs are all different unless you already have LED tails. Custom wiring is required. I did this on my 14.

BlackRamHemi · Oct 25, 2014

Just a heads up for those who get new 14' LED tails
the pigtail part number for the 13's has a totally different pin pattern.

Ram 13' LED Tail light part#

Sport LED Tails P/N’s: 68093080AB and 68093081AB (pictured below)
· Premium (Laramie) LED Tails P/N’s: 68093078AB and 68093079AB

Ram 14' LED Tail light part#'s now end in AC (not AB)

2013 pin out has the pins staggered

My new 2014 LED Sport lamp has 4 pins symmetrical ,
no exposed wires anymore either...

So I guess I need to track down a new Pig Tail part# for a 14' Ram
anyone have any sources that can look that up?

all tinted up and no place to go

Waiting to go into my Blacked Out 10 Sport
already have 14' Retro'd PJ heads and new 14' Sport wheels
and would love to finish the look with the tail lights asap.

shaftman_05 · Oct 25, 2014

BlackRamHemi said:
Just a heads up for those who get new 14' LED tails
the pigtail part number for the 13's has a totally different pin pattern.

Ram 13' LED Tail light part#

Sport LED Tails P/N’s: 68093080AB and 68093081AB (pictured below)
· Premium (Laramie) LED Tails P/N’s: 68093078AB and 68093079AB

Ram 14' LED Tail light part#'s now end in AC (not AB)

2013 pin out has the pins staggered

My new 2014 LED Sport lamp has 4 pins symmetrical ,
no exposed wires anymore either...

So I guess I need to track down a new Pig Tail part# for a 14' Ram
anyone have any sources that can look that up?

all tinted up and no place to go

Waiting to go into my Blacked Out 10 Sport
already have 14' Retro'd PJ heads and new 14' Sport wheels
and would love to finish the look with the tail lights asap.

Actually I may be able to Monday if I remember to do it...

BlackRamHemi · Oct 25, 2014

Awesome!

my usual on-line sources are coming up blank

shaftman_05 · Oct 25, 2014

BlackRamHemi said:
Awesome!

my usual on-line sources are coming up blank

I happened to get a little free time today before I left...

I am not sure what you have or where it came from. Those arent on the 1500, 2500, or 3500 all the way to 2015....

HOW TO: 2013+ LED Tails into a 4th Gen

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