Bed lights with on/off button and magnetic auto on switch - my DIY

[GHeine27]

Here’s the result of my bed lights install with a on/off button and magnetic switch that turns the lights on when you open the bed. The project was slightly challenging with cutting and crimping the wires in many different places and running one of the wires underneath the truck. Having a good design blueprint was super helpful. The end result works great but I noticed that after a heavy rain the lights don’t come on for a day or so, not sure what part is getting wet. Also, the 12v goes out after ~30 min so if you open the trunk before starting the truck the lights don’t come on. Overall the lights look great and are super useful, but not the easiest of mods.

Update:
Here are the parts I used to build the bedlight and switch setup.

lights: https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-TR-0...Z4uVSn2Inp-JZHZ_CzjvkyeMxng0Ch_BoCwN4QAvD_BwE

magnetic switch: https://www.amazon.com/Directed-Ele...iDTq9g3q3dHjZb8ghbw-CKRRkYY3yhbBoCI3UQAvD_BwE

butt splice connectors: https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Te...cs&sprefix=butt+splice,electronics,119&sr=1-4

Shrink wrap: https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Ins...2&psc=1&mcid=2798a81db8393e1bbbb58e5443fcc2df

wire gripper/stripper: https://www.amazon.com/WGGE-Profess...rSvtT55DEfS1I24P5LfVPYfwuZvQaAkhoC2gEQAvD_BwE

on/off button: https://www.amazon.com/Latching-But...15-b19f-4616071c20a2&pd_rd_i=B076GVZ56B&psc=1

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[Rivers90]

Looks great. What part did you use for the magnetic switch?

 

[GHeine27]

Looks great. What part did you use for the magnetic switch?

this is it:https://www.amazon.com/Directed-Ele...TEFAQnG2TluK5cxxRi2SsAjBFR3e2fQRoC50oQAvD_BwE

Just needs to be connected to the circuit with splice connectors.

 

[Luthinator]

Here’s the result of my bed lights install with a on/off button and magnetic switch that turns the lights on when you open the bed. The project was slightly challenging with cutting and crimping the wires in many different places and running one of the wires underneath the truck. Having a good design blueprint was super helpful. The end result works great but I noticed that after a heavy rain the lights don’t come on for a day or so, not sure what part is getting wet. Also, the 12v goes out after ~30 min so if you open the trunk before starting the truck the lights don’t come on. Overall the lights look great and are super useful.

I had the same thought!! I have one of these in my Amazon cart. Once I had my truck for a little while and got used to it, I was going to explore this option.
Does it work the way you wanted it to?

 

[Luthinator]

Can you share the parts you bought?

 

[MichaelG]

this is it:https://www.amazon.com/Directed-Ele...TEFAQnG2TluK5cxxRi2SsAjBFR3e2fQRoC50oQAvD_BwE

Just needs to be connected to the circuit with splice connectors.

What kind of splicers did you use? Something like this? Scotchlok splicers

 

[Old_Norm]

What kind of splicers did you use? Something like this? Scotchlok splicers

I've used both and I like these better. You can disconnect the splice without opening up the compression piece.
https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Term...034&sprefix=wire+splicers,aps,113&sr=8-4&th=1

 

[TNFurb]

Super cool! Ford needs to make this a factory option!

 

[GHeine27]

I had the same thought!! I have one of these in my Amazon cart. Once I had my truck for a little while and got used to it, I was going to explore this option.
Does it work the way you wanted it to?

Yeah works great other than when the 12v times out and you need to turn the truck back on to get the lights on again. I put the extra effort in to make the job look professional with no loose wires. This required some extra wire splicing and connecting with the butt splice connectors.

 

[GHeine27]

Can you share the parts you bought?

Just updated the original post with the parts I used. Fairly cheap but effort is required.

 

[GHeine27]

What kind of splicers did you use? Something like this? Scotchlok splicers

Used butt splice connectors with shrink wrap on top to waterproof. similar to these: https://www.amazon.com/PRECIHW-Conn...owse-bin:9648512011&s=industrial&sr=1-25&th=1

 

[Maverickman74]

Love seeing someone else use what was to me the natural place to put the light switch. I got 12v port on one side for the fridge and light switch on the other.

 

[Old Ford Guy]

Here’s the result of my bed lights install with a on/off button and magnetic switch that turns the lights on when you open the bed. The project was slightly challenging with cutting and crimping the wires in many different places and running one of the wires underneath the truck. Having a good design blueprint was super helpful. The end result works great but I noticed that after a heavy rain the lights don’t come on for a day or so, not sure what part is getting wet. Also, the 12v goes out after ~30 min so if you open the trunk before starting the truck the lights don’t come on. Overall the lights look great and are super useful, but not the easiest of mods.

Update:
Here are the parts I used to build the bedlight and switch setup.

lights: https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-TR-0...Z4uVSn2Inp-JZHZ_CzjvkyeMxng0Ch_BoCwN4QAvD_BwE

magnetic switch: https://www.amazon.com/Directed-Ele...iDTq9g3q3dHjZb8ghbw-CKRRkYY3yhbBoCI3UQAvD_BwE

butt splice connectors: https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Terminals-Electrical-Connector-Assortment/dp/B06XRCJCHP/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1PEUCSK86TL09&keywords=butt+splice&qid=1707523710&s=electronics&sprefix=butt+splice,electronics,119&sr=1-4

Shrink wrap: https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Ins...2&psc=1&mcid=2798a81db8393e1bbbb58e5443fcc2df

wire gripper/stripper: https://www.amazon.com/WGGE-Profess...rSvtT55DEfS1I24P5LfVPYfwuZvQaAkhoC2gEQAvD_BwE

on/off button: https://www.amazon.com/Latching-But...15-b19f-4616071c20a2&pd_rd_i=B076GVZ56B&psc=1

great job with the lights, but he Golf gear and the cooler are right up my alley!

 

[Montana]

All that work and no bed mats / liner? You savage

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