Cargo Lights on with Reverse Lights

[El Conquistador]

Okay so I was inspired by 2 threads here, one being the fog lights on with high beams, which I did and love. The other is a thread about putting a switch in the bed by the tailgate to turn on the cargo lights. That's a great idea but I wanted something simpler, so using the info in the fog light thread, and the link to the wire diagrams, I found the relay switch wires for the cargo lights and the reverse lights then used an extra diode from the fog light trick to connect the two. Now when it's dark and you unlock your doors with the remote, which activates the headlights and reverse lights, the cargo lights come on as well. This does activate the lights by the third brake light as well as the lights in the bed, just as if you pushed the switch on the dash. This is going to activate the cargo lights when you put the truck in reverse also, which will provide more light behind the truck, but it may glare off the rear window as well. I will be testing this tonight to see if I like it or not.

 

The reverse light relay wire is in the same brown plug as the fog lights. Number 26, its brown with 2 blue stripes.

 

The cargo light relay wire is also number 26, brown wire white stripe, but it's in the pink plug to the left of the brown plug.

 

I used the other diode from the 2 pack I bought to do the fog lights ( part # 1N004). The stripe goes toward the cargo lights in the pink plug.

 

As long as there's not too much glare to see while reversing at night then this should be a handy little trick!!

 

[Cayne]

Just what I was looking for. Do you have any pictures of your wire setup?

[ckrimits]

HA No kiddin. I was dreaming of this 3 months ago saying.. I wish there was a way...... especially I get out of work at 3 am walking to my car in an empty parking lot I like to light that shi(t up and be able to see. that cargo light really will light it up. TY

[El Conquistador]

First time to upload pic. Hope this works.

 

 

[Mike1220]

Have a link to the diodes you purchased? Also, do the reverse lights turn on when you hit the switch inside of the cab for when working in the bed or loading it at night?

[El Conquistador]

The diode stops the reverse lights from activating when you hit the cargo switch.

 

My original post had a typo on the part number for the diode. The correct part # is 1N4004, here's the link.

 

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036270&filterName=Type&filterValue=Diodes

[Mike1220]

The diode stops the reverse lights from activating when you hit the cargo switch.

 

My original post had a typo on the part number for the diode. The correct part # is 1N4004, here's the link.

 

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036270&filterName=Type&filterValue=Diodes

 

Thanks man! Looks like I'm gonna stop by radio shack today or tomorrow

[Cayne]

First time to upload pic. Hope this works.

 

 

0830142204a.jpg

So you just shove the diode into those holes?

[El Conquistador]

Yes. They will go in pretty far. About half the lead will go in.

[jburch77]

Did this work? Were you satisfied with the result?

[DCazares]

In the picture, the diode that is in the brown plug that one end attaches to the blue wire, what color wire does the other end go to? Can't really see it clearly in the picture.

 

Thanks

[Mike1220]

If you were to put another diode in the opposite direction, then would it allow the reverse light to come on with the cargo lamps when you turn it on via the cab switch since the 2nd resistor would allow the electricity to flow the opposite way of the original?

 

I am curious becuase I am getting ready to add a VLEDs license plate frame light to add 3500 lumens when in reverse

 

If the second diode idea works, then I can hook up the light to either the cargo or the reverse, if it wouldn't work, then I would rather hook the light to the cargo lamps so I can use the light at night when I use the cargo lamps.

[El Conquistador]

Yes this works great and I am very happy with it. You get extra entry light at night, the in bed lights come on under my bed cover which is great, and when reversing at night the cab lights offer extra light without any glare on the back glass.

The wire in the pink plug is brown with a white stripe.

[El Conquistador]

In the picture, the diode that is in the brown plug that one end attaches to the blue wire, what color wire does the other end go to? Can't really see it clearly in the picture.

 

Thanks

The wire in the pink plug is brown with a white stripe.

[El Conquistador]

Mike 1220, I guess the double diode idea would work, but I think it would be easier to just use a regular wire without a diode. The diode is just a one way valve so to speak. If you want power going both ways you don't need it. That might actually be better, let us know if you try it.