Installed semi-custom bed lighting

[TremoringDan]

I wonder if some of the LED channel like this would keep the lights in place better. I have tried this style of LED strips and the adhesive breaks loose in the summer when it get warm. (was on a past vehicle)

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[k2rizzle]

As requested here is a video of the bed lighting at night:

Semi custom bed lighting at night

Nice work!

 

[Braindead]

This Still requires key in ignition to power right?

 

[Tbone289]

I wonder if some of the LED channel like this would keep the lights in place better. I have tried this style of LED strips and the adhesive breaks loose in the summer when it get warm. (was on a past vehicle)

I used these stuck to the bottom of my tonneau rails. They've survived two MO summers with no issues. The adhesive holds very well: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YZFN925?th=1

 

[Atlasbluemav]

This Still requires key in ignition to power right?

Yes it does, unfortunately.

 

[Tbone289]

This Still requires key in ignition to power right?

Well, sort of. The 12V accessory circuits run for 75 minutes after the last time the key was turned to "on". If you need light, turn the key to on, remove the key and you have another 75 minutes.

 

[Atlasbluemav]

So mine used to do that but now it doesn't anymore. I looked into it once the battery is below a certain percentage of health It doesn't allow you to do that. And I have a dash cam so right when it was brand new it was wearing down the battery so...

 

[Tbone289]

I’m looking for a location to mount a switch and considered using that same spot as you did, my one concern is snagging it when loading or removing something from the bed.

I had the same concern and mounted a surface mount switch up under my tonneau rails. This is the one I used: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YJ5VH4B

You'll want a smooth surface to mount it to. I used the top surface of my custom strut-channel rails.

 

[Tbone289]

So mine used to do that but now it doesn't anymore. I looked into it once the battery is below a certain percentage of health It doesn't allow you to do that. And I have a dash cam so right when it was brand new it was wearing down the battery so...

Yeah, that's an unfortunate side effect of the Hybrid 12V battery issue. It's not something Ecoboost owners usually have to contend with.

 

[Braindead]

Yes it does, unfortunately.

Wish i knew this before i cut through the bedliner lol
I mean they went through the trouble of wiring it all the way!, why not make it always on!!!

 

[Atlasbluemav]

Why did you need to cut through the bed liner?

 

[Braindead]

Why did you need to cut through the bed liner?

The Pigtail cover is behind the "drop in" bedliner, which also is where i wanted to install the rocker switch for the LED's. So i had to cut into the bedliner to access all that.

Some dealerships take the extra steps of punching out the bedliner in the needed places, mine unfortunately did not.

 

[Tbone289]

I mean they went through the trouble of wiring it all the way!, why not make it always on!!!

Auto makers unfortunately seem to be in the habit of trying to protect customers from themselves these days.

 

[TremoringDan]

I used these stuck to the bottom of my tonneau rails. They've survived two MO summers with no issues. The adhesive holds very well: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YZFN925?th=1

I have ones very similar to that waiting for it to warm up a bit before I install them.

 

[Braindead]

Here is my Version...

The Switch is really good quality, the illumination on "On" & "Off" is a plus when its really dark.
I opted for those Lights because they are easier to install and i spaced them between the gromets that hold the bed frame trim. Did not bother with the switches that came with it.

I still wish the power was always on instead of Ignition on though!

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