2021 bed swap

[1970Chvl]

Hi guys, I have a 16’ ram 2500 8’ bed, tree fell on the truck so I am swapping the bed to a 2021 bed, I noticed the beds are identical Besides the wiring harness. I am trying to figure out if I can use a harness from a 2021, the new trucks are still running the 6.4L like mine, Im wondering if the 21’ harness will plug right in. Also I upgraded to the 8.4” uconnect radio, truck did not have a camera but the new bed does, are the cabs pre wired for the camera? I know I have to get the bed harness with the camera wire. Thanks for all your help guys!!!!

 

[mikeru]

Might be easier to just reuse the harness from your 2016 bed if the harness on the 2021 bed has different connectors. Which camera are you referring to, the backup camera in the tailgate handle?

 

[GTyankee]

Some tailgates are wired to work with a FOB Locking Mechanism
Some times the Tailgate Camera wiring is within Locking Mechanism wiring harness

To find out just what the tailgate has, you have to take off about 16 screws that hold the tailgate Inspection Cover in place.
Cordless screwdriver makes short work of that.

Right in back of the rear license plate, & then running along the trucks frame is the rest of the wiring harness, it runs along the drivers side truck frame rail

Just take everything one step at a time

 

[autumnwalker]

I noticed the beds are identical Besides the wiring harness.

Identical as in you could swap a 5th gen tailgate to a 4th gen bed?

 

[mikeru]

Identical as in you could swap a 5th gen tailgate to a 4th gen bed?

Both beds he is working with are 4th gens (HD) as far as the sheet metal is concerned.

 

[autumnwalker]

Both beds he is working with are 4th gens (HD) as far as the sheet metal is concerned.

Ah, got it! I completely missed the 2500 bit.