New Bed LED strip lighting. Cheap and easy mod!

[Dad]

As I recall, mine was under the back seat.

You know, the funny thing is that when I called my dealership about acquiring a second one, they had NO IDEA of what I was talking about. Are elves planting these things in various places unbeknownst to those who work at Ford dealerships?

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[RDRahn]

My plan is to just add an LED strip to the light circuit in the rear of the bed that goes on whenever that existing LED light comes on...either by the manual switch or automatic with the cargo lights. Maybe about a 2 foot length mounted to the cleat rail.

I took the rails and bedliner out to get to the 4 bolts holding in the LED and Inverter plug cover (because you can't get at the bolts with the modular panel installed). When I had it apart, I popped the LED light fixture out into the bed area and ran a wire up through the top for the LED strip. Then I put it back together as I wait for wire taps to arrive. Funny, there is a black wire and a black wire with a white stripe going to the existing LED. The white stripe wire was the negative.

I completed mine yesterday and they look great, functioning with the switch on the LED light in the bed (note: not all mavericks have this). I did make a video and will post soon, but in the meantime, here is one that is fairly close to the method I used:

 

[Dad]

I completed mine yesterday and they look great, functioning with the switch on the LED light in the bed (note: not all mavericks have this). I did make a video and will post soon, but in the meantime, here is one that is fairly close to the method I used:

I did likewise for my LED bed light strip, but then I bought a motion detection switch to take the place of the Ford OEM switch (Lariat). Have yet to install . . . bigger fish to fry at the present, but doing these little mods on the Maverick is not only fun, but therapeutic as well.

 

[pwing]

I completed mine yesterday and they look great, functioning with the switch on the LED light in the bed (note: not all mavericks have this). I did make a video and will post soon, but in the meantime, here is one that is fairly close to the method I used:

Following...I look forward to your video, I'd love to utilize the light switch that is already there.

 

[Jamers99]

I ended up using these. I believe they are in the green holes I pictured above. Another thought might be to use a drywall screw anchor that expands in the hole.

Nylon Push Mount Cable Zip Tie, 8.3" Heavy Duty Nylon Push Mount Self Locking Assortment for Indoor Wire Tying- Black 8.3x0.2inch 40 Pack https://a.co/d/fRjjctm

What size holes will these work in? There are 2 sizes holes along that area.

 

[RDRahn]

Following...I look forward to your video, I'd love to utilize the light switch that is already there.

Finally got my video posted. My computer was giving me grief when trying to save the edited version but I finally got it done. Here is the link:

 

[Dad]

Finally got my video posted. My computer was giving me grief when trying to save the edited version but I finally got it done. Here is the link:

Great job and nicely documented! Thanks for putting in the time and effort to share your install. Often, it's more work making the video than actually doing the install, right?

 

[RDRahn]

Great job and nicely documented! Thanks for putting in the time and effort to share your install. Often, it's more work making the video than actually doing the install, right?

I also installed a magnetic switch so when bed opens, the lights come on. Not working exactly as i would have hoped and I may re-do that switch or disconnect. I am interested in the motion detection option you previously mentioned. Do you have link to that item on amazon or something?

 

[Barracuda340]

Mercury switch inside tailgate. Run wires in with backup camera wires

 

[Dad]

I also installed a magnetic switch so when bed opens, the lights come on. Not working exactly as i would have hoped and I may re-do that switch or disconnect. I am interested in the motion detection option you previously mentioned. Do you have link to that item on amazon or something?

Say no more . . .

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WH6B6TR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

To be clear, I have yet to do the install. Will take a bit of time to figure out how integrate into the existing wiring I did whereby I used the OEM bed switch (Lariat) to also light up the LED strips. Lots of irons in the fire these days and this seems a bit frivolous compared to restoring our home, but perhaps someone here has the time and gumption to pioneer an install and share it.

 

[Barracuda340]

Say no more . . .

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WH6B6TR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

To be clear, I have yet to do the install. Will take a bit of time to figure out how integrate into the existing wiring I did whereby I used the OEM bed switch (Lariat) to also light up the LED strips. Lots of irons in the fire these days and this seems a bit frivolous compared to restoring our home, but perhaps someone here has the time and gumption to pioneer an install and share it.

I hear ya on that one Dad. I'm renovating a bathroom in my home. In the middle of sheetrock install. Then I have to do a tub up tile job on it. I fit these little maverick mods and other home jobs in between. I work eight days straight @ 10 hours per day at my job to get 6 days off. As such I'm beat those 8 days. I come home those days eat, rest, rinse and repeat.

 

[RDRahn]

I hear ya on that one Dad. I'm renovating a bathroom in my home. In the middle of sheetrock install. Then I have to do a tub up tile job on it. I fit these little maverick mods and other home jobs in between. I work eight days straight @ 10 hours per day at my job to get 6 days off. As such I'm beat those 8 days. I come home those days eat, rest, rinse and repeat.

I recently retired so looking forward to spending some of my new found free time on my Mav this spring/summer.

 

[Dad]

I hear ya on that one Dad. I'm renovating a bathroom in my home. In the middle of sheetrock install. Then I have to do a tub up tile job on it. I fit these little maverick mods and other home jobs in between. I work eight days straight @ 10 hours per day at my job to get 6 days off. As such I'm beat those 8 days. I come home those days eat, rest, rinse and repeat.

Proud of you! Sounds like you're devoted to maintaining a pleasant home for your family. It's what we should do.

 

[RDRahn]

I also installed a magnetic switch so when bed opens, the lights come on. Not working exactly as i would have hoped and I may re-do that switch or disconnect. I am interested in the motion detection option you previously mentioned. Do you have link to that item on amazon or something?

I got around to editing and posting the video about adding a Magnetic switch to the bed lighting.

I purchased on Amazon: Amazon.com: Directed Electronics 8600 Micro Magnetic Switch : Industrial & Scientific

Here is the install video:

 

[Jrplaw]

you can always use the cover for the switch

How did you connect the switch to the lights?

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