Bed Underrail Lighting

TimmyG · April 30, 2012

U probbly need to wire it at the battery, lots of threads on this

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jblaylock · April 30, 2012

oh, ok. I haven't read the other threads.... I just had this one saved in my favorites for a long time.

TimmyG · April 30, 2012

oh, ok. I haven't read the other threads.... I just had this one saved in my favorites for a long time.

look under towing part, looks pretty easy

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mfennema · May 14, 2012

oh, ok. I haven't read the other threads.... I just had this one saved in my favorites for a long time.

My writeup at the beginning of this thread covers how to get the power to the rear of the truck.

jblaylock · June 6, 2012

oh, ok. I haven't read the other threads.... I just had this one saved in my favorites for a long time.

My writeup at the beginning of this thread covers how to get the power to the rear of the truck.

That's the problem. What is that wire? Is that a wire that you ran from the back, or is that the red/black wire that is already pre-wired and tied up to the rest of the harness?

Forgive me, electrical isn't my thing. I'm a little confused on how this wire gets power to come on, on the trailer harness. I see the open 40A slot, how do you connect the wire to that slot?

mfennema · June 15, 2012

oh, ok. I haven't read the other threads.... I just had this one saved in my favorites for a long time.

My writeup at the beginning of this thread covers how to get the power to the rear of the truck.

That's the problem. What is that wire? Is that a wire that you ran from the back, or is that the red/black wire that is already pre-wired and tied up to the rest of the harness?

Forgive me, electrical isn't my thing. I'm a little confused on how this wire gets power to come on, on the trailer harness. I see the open 40A slot, how do you connect the wire to that slot?

When you hook the red/black wire up on the fuse box, that gives you constant power to the rear. There are two studs on the front of the fuse box, and the wire has a connector to fit on the stud, you just have to supply a nut and tighten it on there. IT IS A METRIC STUD, DO NOT TRY STANDARD NUT. Then, you put in the fuse in the open slot for it and you should have power to the back.

The red/black wire is the one that's taped up by the brake booster, and you want to use the stud on the front of the fuse box that is nearest the driver's side fender. The other stud is for a brake controller.

Blue2500CC · November 22, 2012

For those who have done this mod, did you buy the White, Cool White, or which "White" led's? I am going to mount a set on each side of my topper (cap), and also get a set for my 10' clamshell snowmobile trailer for that nighttime loading/ unloading.

Also, I notice some on eBay some strips have more than 1 set of wire "hook ups" ( where you can cut the led strip every 3 LEDs) so do they come with instructions on which to solder wire to the + & - leads to so you can use all the strip and not waste any?

Ty!

Chris

masonbid · November 29, 2012

When I installed mine, i choose to go with cool white as I felt it was more natural and brighter than the rest. A lot of the strips are wired every 3 LEDs. You can easily google how to solder leads to the ends if you cut down or add length to them.

Just remember to make sure everything is sealed so you don't get corrosion on your wires!

If you are wondering, my strips are still working perfect and I get compliments every time someone sees them in use. So much easier to load stuff when the bed is lit up.

Blue2500CC · December 2, 2012

Mason,

TY!

I know some pictures of the LED strips on Ebay show 4 solder "spots" where it can be cut, some show only 2, and some that ha ve 2 show the 12+ between the 2 "leads". I just want to make sure I don't fry the LED's by reversing the polarity when I wire them if it's not clearly marked.

As for sealing, I was thinking of either heat shrink tube, or maybe liquid tape. Figured I would decide when I got them and had them in hand.

Glad to hear they are still working great! I was thinking of going with the cool white as well since they appear to be brighter. I need all the light I can get when we go up to the In Laws cabin in Canada. Usually get there after dark, in the middle of the woods.

TY!

Chris

C. Smith · December 4, 2012

Useful and good looking mod for sure.

Sierra in the Sand · December 5, 2012

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.

Wow! I saw this and did the exact same insatllation. and it's been working great for two years now! Handier than a spare dick!

masonbid · December 7, 2012

Mason,

TY!

I know some pictures of the LED strips on Ebay show 4 solder "spots" where it can be cut, some show only 2, and some that ha ve 2 show the 12+ between the 2 "leads". I just want to make sure I don't fry the LED's by reversing the polarity when I wire them if it's not clearly marked.

As for sealing, I was thinking of either heat shrink tube, or maybe liquid tape. Figured I would decide when I got them and had them in hand.

Glad to hear they are still working great! I was thinking of going with the cool white as well since they appear to be brighter. I need all the light I can get when we go up to the In Laws cabin in Canada. Usually get there after dark, in the middle of the woods.

TY!

Chris

Hopefully this link will help some ppl out about how to cut/solder strips together http://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-solder-wires-onto-a-common-LED-strip/

It sure does get dark up here in Canada at times. Using my bed lighting while camping is the greatest thing i've done to my truck!

Blue2500CC · December 8, 2012

Mason,

I didn't notice you were in Canada! In Laws cabin is East of the Soo, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes you can't even see your hand at arms length!!! Lol

Nice link! I wish all the led strips were labled as they are in your link! Here is the led strip I am leaning towards, http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Cool-White-5M-16FT-Waterproof-5050-SMD-LED-Strip-300-LEDS-USA-Seller-/180999254878?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item2a2465735e, but they only have the 12+ centered on the strip. I think I may be able to see which wire goes to which side to figure it out!

Chris · December 8, 2012

When I get some extra money I'm going to do this but wire them into my cargo light button on my dash

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masonbid · December 10, 2012

You can always test it out but just touching the ends to your power supply. LEDs can handle a short time with reverse polarity. I do that sometimes when i find strips not marked.

When I get some extra money I'm going to do this but wire them into my cargo light button on my dash

I was going to try to do that method but decided it was easier to have a switch in the bed so when I was actually in the bed I could flick it instead of going back to the cab. Maybe wiring it so you have a switch in the bed as well as the cargo light would be work well. Good luck!