Bed Underrail Lighting

mfennema · March 12, 2009

I am going to attempt to do a how-to on adding some bedlights if anyone else is interested. The first thing that I did was measure the bed rails to see approximately how long they were. I then found these lights on ebay for a pretty good price so then it was a go.

After I received the lights in the mail and got my Line-x liner sprayed in finally, I was ready to start.

I first started by connecting this wire and putting the 40A fuse in the box that is required.

I then tested the power at the 7 pin plug at the back of the truck to make sure that there was power to it. After this, I disconnected the battery so as not to have a disaster and blow somethin up.

The next thing I did was to tie into the power wire as is shown in this picture and added an inline fuse and then ran it up right next to the wiring for the turn signals.

I removed the left turn signal and used this area as my place to connect all the wires as it was a convenient, and also gave me a place to ground the lights. I ran the wires from the lights down behind the inside of the bed by the rear stake rails and came out at the tail light. I connected the power and ground wires from each strand of lights making sure that they were the same for both (the only work one way as I later found out with a blow fuse). I then ran my light grounds, light positives, and power wire up through the bottom of the stake pocket, and out this hole in the side of the bed.

I then connected those 3 sets of wires to this switch and after slight modification of the switch to make it fit, installed it in the hole.

I then connected the ground wire from the ground post of the switch to a ground in the turn signal and then reconnected the battery, and VOILA!! (Pictures are after I removed the tape backing from the lights and pressed them into place)

I still wasn't sure how bright it was going to be, but here are some pictures of it in the dark.

Works great for seeing if you have anything in the bed when its dark out or if you are like me and have a cover on the bed.

I hope this helps anyone that is looking to do something like this, and I would be more than happy to entertain any questions you may have. Either post here, or PM me.

-Mitch

Oh and total cost was only about 35 bucks.

stanz792 · March 12, 2009

Very nice! Good job!

Zembonez · March 12, 2009

HEY! That came out looking pretty good!

mfennema · March 12, 2009

Thanks! I owe alot alot alot of thanks to masonbid as he is the one that started this idea, and helped me with figuring out how to get the power back there. Many thanks out to masonbid for all the help.

all_terrain · March 12, 2009

excellent idea and write up

Silverado_Monkey · March 12, 2009

Nice Job Mitch! Great find on those strip lights! They look great. The spray liner looks good too. I may look to do this to my bed as well as add one of those strips to the lid of my toolbox.

One thing:

You are planning to wireloom all those wires right? I've learned from experience over the years to protect all my wiring not matter what. Always remembere Murphy's Law! :-D

Great write up BTW!

-Bruno

bigBP · March 12, 2009

Looks great!

Hmm, suppose to get up in the 40s here this weekend, T-shirt time. I might have to get out to the garage and do this...

How do you like the blue color (or is that white, can't quite tell from the pics)? I wonder if using red LEDs would help with night vision (i.e. not being blinded in the dark)?

mfennema · March 12, 2009

Nice Job Mitch! Great find on those strip lights! They look great. The spray liner looks good too. I may look to do this to my bed as well as add one of those strips to the lid of my toolbox.

One thing:

You are planning to wireloom all those wires right? I've learned from experience over the years to protect all my wiring not matter what. Always remembere Murphy's Law! :-D

Great write up BTW!

-Bruno

Thanks!

I do plan on wirelooming them, but the 70 degree days only lasted so long here this early in the year . Its a very easy solution to not having light, and I put them in the corner on the angle to shine more toward the middle of the bed as they are pretty directional lighting.

If any of you have any questions during an install, or planning, please feel free to contact me.

masonbid · March 12, 2009

Nice looking lights!!! Too cold up here for me to finish

Thanks for the compliment and np on the tips.

Like Mitch said, if you need any help just drop us a PM and we will be sure to help.

GL!

Silverado_Monkey · March 12, 2009

Nice Job Mitch! Great find on those strip lights! They look great. The spray liner looks good too. I may look to do this to my bed as well as add one of those strips to the lid of my toolbox.

One thing:

You are planning to wireloom all those wires right? I've learned from experience over the years to protect all my wiring not matter what. Always remembere Murphy's Law! :-D

Great write up BTW!

-Bruno

Thanks!

I do plan on wirelooming them, but the 70 degree days only lasted so long here this early in the year . Its a very easy solution to not having light, and I put them in the corner on the angle to shine more toward the middle of the bed as they are pretty directional lighting.

If any of you have any questions during an install, or planning, please feel free to contact me.

I hear ya! I'm in CT and dealing with the same thing up here.... I was out there this past weekend myself doing some odds and ends on the truck and wife's minivan. These strip lights are definitely going on the "To-Do" list as soon as it warms up! I actually just ordered a couple of Daystar rocker switches to install on my dash for all these summer projects.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING!!!!

Later

-B

2005LT · March 12, 2009

Cool project Mitch! Nice job on the install. I like the switch you used, had one of those in my old 1995 Sierra Diesel (red light one) as a high-idle switch.