How-To: Install LED Cargo Lighting.

[hidefmike]

Bought an Extang cover last week and I knew I was going to be forced to put some sort of lighting under there or make sure I kept a charged flashlight handy...the latter was not appealing to me.

 

Others have posted similar stuff, and I took portions of each of them, thanks to everyone for the great info. My install is below, hope you like it.

 

Cargo LED light install:

 

Materials:

(Purchased from Amazon.com)

HitLights Waterproof LED Flexible Cool White Lighting Strip, SMD3528, 300 LED, 5 Meter or 16 Ft, 24 Watt, 12 Volt

 

Omega Au46 Heavy Duty Mercury Car Alarm Car Cycle Tilt Switch

 

(Misc)

12 gauge copper strand wire- approx 25 ft

 

Heat shrink tubing

 

Electrical tape

 

Tools:

Phillips Screwdriver

Wire Strippers/Cutters

Torch/Heat Gun

8mm box wrench

8mm socket/ratchet

Torx screwdriver (tailgate cap removal)

 

 

I wanted to use a mercury type "tilt" switch for this, tailgate up=lights off, tailgate down=lights on!

 

Up

 

Down

 

I started by installing the led lights under the bed rail. It was cold, so I lightly heated up the metal with my butane torch. I started at the front and worked to the back. Lights are under the rail until about 8" from the front of the bed. I wanted to make sure the lights were really bright towards the front.

 

These lights are so easy, peel the backing off the 3M tape and stick!

 

Next up, the mercury switch.

 

I removed the tailgate cap, 4 torx on the front and the double sticky tape on the back. The switch comes with the mounting tab straight, for my install I needed to bend it approx 45 degrees.

 

I used the 3rd hole from the left of the tailgate, it's the round one, for the switch mounting. I used an 8mm, 3/4 long stainless steel bolt, 8mm nut, (2) 1" washers, 1/2" washer. The install is fairly simple, but if you have gorilla fingers like me it's hard not to drop the stuff down inside the tailgate. Put the bolt through the 1/2 washer, then through the switch mount, then through the 1" washer. Place the assembly through one of the bigger holes and CAREFULLY slide it over to the mounting hole. Place 1" washer over now through bolt, then the 8mm nut. Hand tighten, then use 8mm box wrench on the bolt head, 8mm socket on the outside to tighten.

 

Now, running the wires. I ran the switch wire out of the hole in the tailgate hinge mount since it was a little more finished and didn't have sharp edges.

 

I pulled power from the trailer wiring harness 12 volt constant, ground was from one of the bumper to frame bolts on the left side.

 

The rest of the wiring is pretty self explanatory. The positive from both strips were wired to the switch, switch wired to the 12 volt constant. The negative from both strips were wired together and a jumper wire pulled in the ground.

 

Disclaimer, don't run the wires near anything hot or anything that rotates and you should be fine. Use electrical tape and heat shrink on every splice and you'll be golden! For even better connection solder every joint. Also, wire loom everything possible.

 

Such a nice mod and I'm hoping it'll be enough light. If not, I'll add strips to my bed cover support rails, along with quick disconnects for taking the cover off.

[FargoZ71]

I think i'm going to have to try these lights, I already have a rocker switch and a fused power line coming in off a trailering power wire, but a buddy ripped his rucksack outta the back of my truck and took 1/2 my lights with it..

[maxco]

Nice mod ad writeup!!