Tapping into Cargo lamp for bed lights

[Hemiram]

Anyone tap into the cargo lamp wiring to install LED bed lights? I would prefer to use this switching option so I don't leave the lights on. I also wouldn't have a switch in the bed that way.

 

[HemiBabe]

Welcome to RF.

I'm not sure if I've seen any one do so, but I bet it'd work

 

[wermbang]

I tapped into a wire by my spare tire that is for adding a topper light, but you would need to add a switch.

 

[Hemiram]

Ended up tapping into another wire and put a switch in the bed. May still try to tap into cargo wiring later.

 

[Sagebrush2500]

I'll keep an eye out for someone who's done this - I'd like to set this up a well

 

[MikeP]

On my old dakota i tapped into the dome


Sent from my SIII using Tapatalk 2

 

[reddot]

would not be that hard. maybe a little time involved getting the full headliner down but its not bad. Im trying to remember what pillar the cargo light wires went to but dont recall..... I just put a switch in the bed. I like it better then having to go to the cab all the time to light the bed up. I figured if I want light in the bed ill be in the bed....not the cab.

 

[Hemiram]

Installed with a switch for now...sorry for blurry pic

 

[Mega Mike]

I know I am a little late, I have been extremely busy with work and truck and well... you know.

I put a separate switch for my bed lights, direct from the battery. The switch I installed under the steering wheel. On and off whenever I want to.

Real simple, right through the firewall with the other wires.

 

[Armyman14]

Since mega mike brought it up, would there be a way to have a switch but leave it on and have the light turn on whenever the tailgate is down, but if you want it off with the tailgate down, turn the switch off.?

 

[Stangshcky12]

To activate it with the tailgate is a bit tough but another option would be to tap into the cargo lights and run a switch in parrallel from a constant 12v so they would come on with the cargo lights or with the switch

To do what you want you would need to install a normaly closed momentary switch (doing loaded or magnetic) between the the gate and bed then another rocker switch in series

 

[ram-head]

To activate it with the tailgate is a bit tough but another option would be to tap into the cargo lights and run a switch in parrallel from a constant 12v so they would come on with the cargo lights or with the switch

That's what I was thinking...kinda like the three way switches in a house?

 

[Zachohs]

Maybe this thread would help, was just browsing diy's and noticed this thread, maybe this type of switch would work for you?(for when the tailgate opens the lights come on)

 

[Ocelot]

I tapped the 12v line from the trailer harness under the truck which is hot all the time and used a switch.

We spend a lot of time at campgrounds in the summer and I didn't want to have to go inside the ruck to turn on the bed light.

 

[Stangshcky12]

That's exactly what I did with the lights I installed on my dads 4th gen and put a weatherproof switch just inside the drivers side of the bed

 

[ram-head]

So if you tapped into the cargo light wire but also put a switch to constant 12v, like mentioned earlier, would the lights come on with the cargo lights when the switch is in the off position? But you'd be able to turn them on with the switch regardless of the cargo light?

 

[Recontango]

I just finished installing LED strips in my bed, used a controller that has a remote ,no switch needed.

http://www.ramforum.com/f41/new_tonneau_led_bed_lights-26279/

 

[Stangshcky12]

So if you tapped into the cargo light wire but also put a switch to constant 12v, like mentioned earlier, would the lights come on with the cargo lights when the switch is in the off position? But you'd be able to turn them on with the switch regardless of the cargo light?

Yup, the cargo lights would probably come on with the installed switch as well unless you put a diode in
Here's the $1.50 a strip lights I did for my dad, the plan was to wire them to the cargo lights as well but I haven't gotten to it and haven't really seen the need for it since installing them this past march

 

[reddot]

this is what mine look like with switch in bed

 

[SoCal Ram]

Can someone tell me what lights they are using for this? Where did you get them and who makes them? Thanks all!