"Custom" bed lights

[nussdawg395]

I've been wanting to do this. I need to get it done soon. I wanted to tap the cargo lifht and have a secondary switch in the bed. It will def help me or camping we load all the extras in the truck and pull the camper and with work schedules and everything it's usually getting dark when we pull in the first night. It would also be nice for when the kids crawl around there at night. They think it's cool under the tonneau.

 

[wermbang]

I got mine hooked up should probably get a water proof switch though.

 

[Stangshcky12]

Idk if I should do a switch on my girlfriends lights or not now lol
The cargo lights are pretty much useless anyhow, you cant see to tie down the front of bikes because of the toolbox
hhmmmmm
What do you guys think?
A switch is only $5 and diodes are cheap so I'll probably run a switch for now and tap into the cargo lights eventually

 

[Catchin Zs]

If anyone figures out how to tap these lights into the cargo lights, PLEASE make a DIY.

 

[wermbang]

I tapped into where my topper light was. On my 2nd gen there is a wire by the spare tire that is specifically for the lights.

 

[Stangshcky12]

If anyone figures out how to tap these lights into the cargo lights, PLEASE make a DIY.

The wires for the cargo lights run under the rear door sill plate on the drivers side I believe
There is 2 black wires, a white with brown tracer and a white with tan tracer
I'm not exactly sure which one you tap into but all you have to do to figure it out is pull your third brake light and check with a test light
I've heard that the white with tracers are actually ground and the black wires are the hot for the cargo and third brake light but I've also heard that you just tap in to the white with brown tracers

I lucked out that my dad had the T harness so 12V was easy, I really hate running wires the length of the truck
Maybe there is a wire there like 2nd gens, it would really clean up my airhorns if there was too lol

 

[Trupiano]

Cool man, good idea!

 

[Stangshcky12]

Cool man, good idea!

I really happy with the way they turned out especially considering there's only about $20 dollars into them total lol

 

[reddot]

gawd I hope I get all my parts by the weekend. Im going LED CRAZ-EH!

And I think a switch would be a good idea. If you only use it once I think it would be worth it. Also if you are loading the bed prior to doing anything in the cab the switch is right there. Or if you turn it on or drop some, loose something. You would have the switch right there instead to flip on for a second instead of having to run to the cab. dunno but thats my thought. Hell ive talked myself into getting a bed switch.

 

[Stangshcky12]

LOL!
Im in the same boat, I really want to get my girlfriends in but I have to have to wait for another weekend at home

 

[2011 2500]

For whatever it is worth, I just bought a 2011 2500, and getting a cap, etc. and an aftermarket LED system installed in the bed. I'm not sure the brand, however, there are several "pods" of lights running under both bed rails. When it is installed, and I learn the company, I'll post pics.

 

[Stangshcky12]

For whatever it is worth, I just bought a 2011 2500, and getting a cap, etc. and an aftermarket LED system installed in the bed. I'm not sure the brand, however, there are several "pods" of lights running under both bed rails. When it is installed, and I learn the company, I'll post pics.

My brother has something similar in the bed of his F150 that he got at autozone I think and put in himself
Unfortunately he paid alot more and I'm pretty sure my dads are brighter too

Still haven't gotten around to putting my girlfriends in

The water proof switch is holding up great on my dads truck
He has put several yards of mulch in the bed the past few weeks and the light have been holding up great for just being stuck on with double sided tape

 

[2011 2500]

PICS posted in Exterior forum "Blinged out a little bit"

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Pretty cool

 

[cwakefld]

I did this to my truck a couple weeks ago. Six 10in LED strips from eBay, an inline fuse and some wire I already had. I have two under each side of the bed rails and two under the lid of my tool box. I use them all the time. I will have to see if I can get some pictures.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Stangshcky12]

Never did take a picture from a distance

I might actually get around to putting them into my girlfriends truck tomorrow, maybe lol it's only been 9-10 months haha