In the world of truck lighting upgrades, few products combine style, safety, and performance as compellingly as the 60-inch Blade LED tailgate light bar by Putco. Whether you drive a full-size pickup or a heavy-duty workhorse, this sleek LED bar transforms your truck’s rear visibility while giving it a bold, modern look.
In this guide, we’ll cover: what exactly this product is, why it matters, how it performs, installation tips, vehicle compatibility, real-world usage, trade-offs, and value propositions — all written in a clear, logically structured, user-centric way.
What Is the 60-inch Blade LED Tailgate Light Bar by Putco?
The 60-inch Blade LED tailgate light bar is a premium rear lighting accessory designed to mount under a truck’s tailgate (or adjacent rear area). It features a continuous strip of COB (Chip-on-Board) LEDs that provide unified illumination — no visible LED dots.
Key features (from Putco’s product description) include:
Multi-function lighting: running lights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard, and reverse lighting.
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Over 2,000 LEDs packed into the 60" version for intense brightness.
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Durable, weather-resistant construction (encapsulated in a tinted polycarbonate resin) that resists water, dust, and debris.
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Meets DOT/SAE standards (e.g. SAE IRST 21, SAE J595) for road legality.
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A 3-year warranty offered by Putco.
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Putco also sells a version with a Plug-N-Play wiring harness, offering easier installation on many truck models.
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When selecting this light bar, you're choosing both a functional safety upgrade and a striking visual enhancement.
Why Truck Owners Are Choosing This LED Tailgate Bar
What compels drivers to invest in a 60-inch Blade LED tailgate light bar by Putco? Here are the primary motivations:
1. Enhanced Rear Visibility & Safety
Modern trucks often sit tall, making rear brake or tail lights less perceptible, especially in bad weather or low light. This LED bar provides a bright, continuous light strip that amplifies your presence to following drivers — ideal for braking and signaling.
The integrated reverse white light also helps illuminate behind the truck, improving safety when backing up in dark areas.
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2. Aesthetic and Custom Appeal
Beyond function, the bar gives the rear end of your truck a custom, integrated LED look more akin to premium OEM lighting. The seamless light band adds a distinctive visual signature, setting your vehicle apart even during daylight.
3. Durability & Weather Toughness
Thanks to rugged materials, sealing, and encapsulation, this LED bar is built for harsh conditions — rain, snow, mud, and road debris. It’s engineered to stay reliable in real-world use over time.
4. Compliance and Legality
Because it meets road safety standards (DOT/SAE), you don’t have to worry about local laws penalizing your lighting setup. It aligns with industry requirements for automotive visibility lighting.
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5. Warranty & Brand Backing
A 3-year warranty, backed by Putco, gives buyers confidence that they’re not just buying a novelty, but a serious, supported upgrade.
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Performance & Technical Specifications
To make an informed choice, here’s a deeper look into how the 60-inch Blade LED performs:
Specification Typical Value / Description
LED Type COB (Chip-on-Board) for continuous light band
LED Count Over 2,000 LEDs in the 60″ version
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Functions Running, brake, amber turn signals, white reverse, hazards
Housing / Encapsulation Tinted polycarbonate resin, sealed for water & dust resistance
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Certifications SAE IRST 21, DOT, SAE J595 compliance
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Warranty 3 years
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These specs emphasize that this bar is not a superficial upgrade — it’s engineered for serious performance.
Vehicle Fitment, Compatibility & Considerations
One key step in any lighting upgrade is ensuring the product fits your vehicle properly and integrates with its electrical system.
Which Trucks & SUVs It Supports
The 60″ Blade bar is often listed in manufacturer accessory catalogs (e.g. Chevrolet, GMC) and marketed as a rear lighting accessory for many full-size trucks.
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It also supports plug-and-play harness options for certain models, simplifying integration.
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Mounting Surface & Geometry
Your truck’s tailgate area must allow mounting over the width required. Some tailgates have curvature, ridges, or design features (like badge recesses or backup camera lens) to work around. The bar’s form factor is designed to flex minimally, so matching shape is important.
Electrical Integration
Many installations use a 4-pin wiring harness that taps into the tail light cluster to feed running, brake, and turn signals. The reverse white LED must be wired to the reverse circuit.
In trucks with advanced systems (e.g. trailer detection, body control modules), you may need to account for wiring quirks or electrical load. Some reviews mention needing to hardwire in models that don’t support plug-and-play harnesses directly.
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Installation Tips & Potential Pitfalls
Even though manufacturers advertise a “plug-and-play” process, real installations often require care. Here are best practices and warnings:
Remove and inspect the tailgate liner before wiring, to hide wires cleanly.
Dry-fit the bar first, marking bracket positions and ensuring alignment before final mounting.
Use dielectric grease on connectors to prevent corrosion over time.
Secure wires firmly with zip ties, avoiding interference with moving parts, bed rails, or spare tire mechanisms.
Test all lighting modes (brake, turn, reverse, hazards) before finishing mounting.
Beware of delay or sync issues — some users note slight timing differences between the bar and factory lights, which can make it look aftermarket unless tuned.
Video guides are available online (e.g. how to install the 60″ Blade) to walk through the process step by step.
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Real-World Usage & Scenarios
To illustrate value, here are how real users employ and benefit from the 60-inch Blade LED tailgate light bar:
Night Visibility Boost: Drivers note that the bar dramatically improves their rear profile, especially helpful when braking for following traffic.
Backup Lighting Aid: The strong white reverse beam helps illuminate obstacles behind a loaded truck bed that might otherwise block frame or tailgate lights.
Aesthetic Statement: Many owners mention how the bar gives their truck a “modern, custom” rear appearance, making it stand out at auto shows or in parking lots.
Off-road & Rugged Use: Because of its durability, some users mount it for off-road rigs, desert runners, or utility trucks, trusting it to resist dust, moisture, and vibration.
These use-cases highlight both form and function.
Trade-offs & What to Check Before Buying
No product is perfect, and buyers should weigh the following potential drawbacks:
Cost: Premium LED tailgate bars are relatively expensive compared to basic light strips.
Complex Wiring in Some Vehicles: Trucks with advanced electronics may need custom wiring or bypass circuits.
Size Constraints: A full 60" bar may be too wide or visually overbearing on smaller or compact trucks.
Sync Delays: Some users mention that the light bar’s turn signals or braking may not sync perfectly with factory lights, which could look aftermarket.
Mounting Surface Issues: Tailgates with irregular shapes, badging, or textured surfaces may require shims or custom brackets.
If you review your vehicle’s tailgate geometry, wiring complexity, and lighting expectations, you can mitigate most of these drawbacks.
Value Proposition & Return on Investment
Why choose this LED bar over cheaper alternatives?
Durability & Longevity: Expect years of reliable use without bulb replacements.
Safety Enhancement: Reduced risk of rear-end accidents due to improved visibility.
Aesthetic Upgrade: Custom, high-end look adds subjective value to your vehicle.
Warranty Assurance: Backed by Putco’s 3-year coverage.
Resale Appeal: A well-installed and legal lighting system can make your truck more attractive to buyers.
Compared with budget LED strip options, you get a more refined finish, higher brightness, certified compliance, and brand support.
Summary & Final Thoughts
If you're looking to upgrade your truck’s rear lighting in a way that’s both practical and visually striking, the 60-inch Blade LED tailgate light bar by Putco is one of the most compelling options available. It offers:
Seamless, bright lighting across multiple functions
Rugged, weather-sealed construction and DOT-legal compliance
A strong visual statement that enhances your truck’s presence
Real safety benefit through increased rear visibility
As with any customization, successful outcome depends on correct fitment, clean wiring, and alignment. But when those are executed, the result is more than just a lighting upgrade — it’s a transformation to the rear of your vehicle.
