Bed LED strip lights

[brianw0048]

I got bored today and added some additional lighting to the bed of my Ram. I tapped into the factory bed lighting so I can turn these on and off with the switch inside.

I didn't pick red for any reason but I may swap it out for another color...not sure I'm a fan.

Ignore the mess of junk in the bed.

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[jljbtm]

Cool, I could use some lights back there too, we're did u get them?

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[brianw0048]

Cool, I could use some lights back there too, we're did u get them?

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I got mine from Amazon. 16.4' waterproof strip was $7.99. Comes in just about any color you want.

FAVOLCANO 5 meters Red IP65 Waterproof SMD 5630 led strip Dc 12v 300 LED Flexible Strip Light Decorative LED tape
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0145YY71Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_6GNZWUNYw7GYE

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[Bdersch]

Badass. How are they attached? Did you splice the wires or whatm

 

[brianw0048]

Badass. How are they attached? Did you splice the wires or whatm

I spliced into the existing wiring for the factory bed lights. Black to black, red to red...i didn't have to worry about where I was getting power or switched power, etc.

The lights have double sided tape. I wiped the bed and taped them under the bed rails where they angle down which should help throw the light into the bed area. These will be really helpful once I get a bed cover on it.



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[Ronny]

Looks great


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[Rzrman328]

Sweet.

Looks plenty bright too.

 

[Ratket]

So you had existing factory bed lights? And just tapped into the wiring for them?

 

[brianw0048]

So you had existing factory bed lights? And just tapped into the wiring for them?

Correct.

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[Ratket]

^^ Why some days I wish I would of just ordered my truck lol

 

[blackbetty14]

Looks good. Will look better with a cover on trust me. I got the same thing. Red is actually the best color for nighttime use as it's easiest on the eyes.

 

[Jetsfan122]

^^ Why some days I wish I would of just ordered my truck lol

Me too, those look great.

 

[Bdersch]

So you had existing factory bed lights? And just tapped into the wiring for them?

do you happen to know if trucks taht didnt come with factory bed lights still have the wiring harness hidden somewhere? my only other thought would be to run then to the constant hot wire for the trailer harness.... and then add a switch in the bed somewhere under the rail. I wouldnt ever need them to be on constantly so it would be the easiest to do it that way i think. not sure how i would hide the wires though

 

[brianw0048]

They make install kits for the factory bed lighting.

I was going to wire a pressure switch that would turn the lights on when the tailgate was released but never got around to it on my last truck.

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[Deepc6]

Are the wires located at the end or the middle of the LED strip?
I am curious on the longevity and how waterproof they are. After reading multiple reviews it has been a hit or miss.

 

[brianw0048]

Are the wires located at the end or the middle of the LED strip?
I am curious on the longevity and how waterproof they are. After reading multiple reviews it has been a hit or miss.

There were wires at each end of the LED strip. I ended up cutting about 12" off the end of the strip; I've got the 5' 7" bed.

I'm not too worried about longevity. At $8 for the strip, I'm not out much if it needs replaced next year. And I've got the sides tucked well under the bed rail to protect them from the weather. The strip along the cab is the only area exposed to the elements regularly.



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[Bdersch]

They make install kits for the factory bed lighting.

I was going to wire a pressure switch that would turn the lights on when the tailgate was released but never got around to it on my last truck.

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does that mean everyone has these wires for bed lights already? they just arent hooked up?

 

[crash68]

does that mean everyone has these wires for bed lights already? they just arent hooked up?

IIRC you can add the OEM bed lighting to any 2016 and newer. Some of the late build 2015's have the correct BCM to add the OEM bed lights. Early 2015's and older are missing some of the output pins for the cargo lights.

 

[brianw0048]

does that mean everyone has these wires for bed lights already? they just arent hooked up?

IIRC you can add the OEM bed lighting to any 2016 and newer. Some of the late build 2015's have the correct BCM to add the OEM bed lights. Early 2015's and older are missing some of the output pins for the cargo lights.

These are the instructions I found online...looks pretty straightforward.

http://starparts.chrysler.com/info/default/k6862310.pdf

 

[crash68]

These are the instructions I found online...looks pretty straightforward.

http://starparts.chrysler.com/info/default/k6862310.pdf

The OEM bed lights kit is listed as a dealer installable item for 2016+ trucks. There is a sales code that needs to be added for them to work. I read about someone getting it to work on a late model 2015.