Anyone tapped factory bed light to power aftermarket under-rail LEDs?

[Hdang1980]

do the lumen bed lights come on with the cargo light? (the top mount cargo light that comes on with button next to drivers left knee.)

I can't say for sure. I'd venture to say it would only if you can tap into the cargo light. It isn't clear to me if the two 12v accessories wires have courtesy light capabilities. That was the main reason I decided to tap into the existing bed light so that it would work in conjunction with the cargo lights.

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[metalman329]

I used the bed 12v power to light up under rail LED’s. Got extra 12v connectors on eBay…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185420264433

regards,
Glenn

 

[Bj517]

Bought these to tap into the existing bed light.

Nilight - 50004R 120 Pcs/60 Pairs Quick Splice Wire Terminals T-Tap Self-stripping with Nylon Fully Insulated Male Quick Disconnects Kit, 2 Years Warranty
Black/white is your hot wire. Black/green is your neutral.

Those look great! If you get a chance, mind posting a little more details on your installation process, as well as the lights you used? Thanks

 

[Hdang1980]

Those look great! If you get a chance, mind posting a little more details on your installation process, as well as the lights you used? Thanks

I got these from amazon as well. As for detailed instructions, these two videos are good to follow except I tapped into the bedlight using those T-Tap connectors and did not use the 12v accessory wire like the youtubers. Just remember to tap into the light, and not the on/off button. Your LED strips's red wire will tap into the black/white wire, black wire will tap into the black/green wire. And since you will doing that, you'll be able to utilize the existing bedlight's on/off button, so no need to bother with the LED strip's supplied button. It just looks so much cleaner and functions like it was factory. If it weren't for the the tiny bit of wire showing between the end of strips and bed rail system, you would not be able to tell it was an aftermarket addition.

 

[Bj517]

I got these from amazon as well. As for detailed instructions, these two videos are good to follow except I tapped into the bedlight using those T-Tap connectors and did not use the 12v accessory wire like the youtubers. Just remember to tap into the light, and not the on/off button. Your LED strips's red wire will tap into the black/white wire, black wire will tap into the black/green wire. And since you will doing that, you'll be able to utilize the existing bedlight's on/off button, so no need to bother with the LED strip's supplied button. It just looks so much cleaner and functions like it was factory. If it weren't for the the tiny bit of wire showing between the end of strips and bed rail system, you would not be able to tell it was an aftermarket addition.

Thanks! Probably something I'll end up doing. I love the idea of more lights controlled by the existing switch

 

[Hdang1980]

Thanks! Probably something I'll end up doing. I love the idea of more lights controlled by the existing switch

They even come on when you enter/exit the truck. Then shut off with the cargo lights after 20-30 seconds. I'd post a video of it in action, but the wife curiously has been taking my truck to work the last few days and left me with the Tesla.

 

[Bj517]

They even come on when you enter/exit the truck. Then shut off with the cargo lights after 20-30 seconds. I'd post a video of it in action, but the wife curiously has been taking my truck to work the last few days and left me with the Tesla.

Cool! How well is the adhesive sticking to your bedliner? And which connector size did you use? I assume these are pretty narrow gauge wires.

It looks like the guy one of those videos was able to run the cables up under the bed rail and down through the taillight cavity that way - maybe avoiding having to run the wire on the outside of the bed to the hole behind the tiedown rail?

 

[Hdang1980]

Cool! How well is the adhesive sticking to your bedliner? And which connector size did you use? I assume these are pretty narrow gauge wires.

It looks like the guy one of those videos was able to run the cables up under the bed rail and down through the taillight cavity that way - maybe avoiding having to run the wire on the outside of the bed to the hole behind the tiedown rail?

Adhesive was sufficient for me. Didn't feel like I needed anything additional. I think I used the red connectors, and yes the wires are very narrow gauge.

And you're right about running the wire thru the tail light.! Looks like I have something to do this weekend.

 

[Bj517]

Adhesive was sufficient for me. Didn't feel like I needed anything additional. I think I used the red connectors, and yes the wires are very narrow gauge.

And you're right about running the wire thru the tail light.! Looks like I have something to do this weekend.

Nice, I ordered everything from Amazon and if it doesn't rain and I have time this weekend, I'll be working on mine as well. What if anything did you do to protect/seal those T connectors? Since it's out of the direct elements, I was thinking just some electrical tape could do the trick.

I like that other videos idea of using that plastic wire tubing for some extra protection under the truck

 

[diggz313]

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ual-usb-charger-to-the-bed.12623/#post-265684

 

[Hdang1980]

Nice, I ordered everything from Amazon and if it doesn't rain and I have time this weekend, I'll be working on mine as well. What if anything did you do to protect/seal those T connectors? Since it's out of the direct elements, I was thinking just some electrical tape could do the trick.

I like that other videos idea of using that plastic wire tubing for some extra protection under the truck

Electrical tape was my solution.

 

[Hdang1980]

Nice, I ordered everything from Amazon and if it doesn't rain and I have time this weekend, I'll be working on mine as well. What if anything did you do to protect/seal those T connectors? Since it's out of the direct elements, I was thinking just some electrical tape could do the trick.

I like that other videos idea of using that plastic wire tubing for some extra protection under the truck

Quick video of the what I was talking about. Tapping into the bed light makes it function with the courtesy door light feature while still being controlled by the factory on/off button as well.

 

[Bj517]

Quick video of the what I was talking about. Tapping into the bed light makes it function with the courtesy door light feature while still being controlled by the factory on/off button as well.

Looks awesome. Definitely looks factory. Do you know which fuse the switched lights are on? I'd like to turn off power before I mess with this, and the fuse diagram in the manual wasn't helpful

 

[Hdang1980]

Looks awesome. Definitely looks factory. Do you know which fuse the switched lights are on? I'd like to turn off power before I mess with this, and the fuse diagram in the manual wasn't helpful

I disconnected the battery under the 2nd row seat.

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