How to run bed light wires?

[64auto]

Done a lot of searching, with no luck know I have seen it before but cant find it. I want a very clean look with no wires showing.

 

[The Macf]

Along the rail then in between the passenger taillight and bed

 

[cubiefan101]

Carstereo helped out a lot. Ran mine from battery through frame and up the rear taillights. I just did this with bed lights for night. Its a very clean set up. You'll like it.

 

[AggieSVT]

Carstereo helped out a lot. Ran mine from battery through frame and up the rear taillights. I just did this with bed lights for night. Its a very clean set up. You'll like it.

I did the exact same thing. I didn't go through the frame though, I followed the conduit along the frame (I wrapped the wire in a sleeve.) it's really not hard, you just need to make sure you have all the right stuff. I also hid my wires going to the 5050 LED's, which was a little moRe work than using the hole that's already there.

 

[Skyfrog]

I recently installed a Retrax Pro bed cover and wanted LED lights for the bed. It's dark in there with a cover.

The idea I had was to wire as many have suggested, down the taillight and through the frame, and connect at the fuse box. I had previously installed a Blackvue DR650 which came with a PowerMax Pro. This was ideal to power the LED's because it has a voltage cutoff so it doesn't drain the battery. This was needed because I planned on lights coming on when I opened either the tailgate or Retrax cover, requiring full-time power. In case the "normally closed" switch failed (i.e., the magnet breaking off), the battery would be spared.

I routed the wires (in a conduit) through the frame, and up into the second seat foot step. The channel then went to the fuse box, where I wired it to the PowerMagic Pro "cigar lighter plug" via a Y splitter. This also gives me the option to turn off the full-time power to the bed with the control switch of the PowerMagiv installed in the glove box.

LED lights and magnetic switches are from Amazon:
Amazon.com: Magnetic Switch: Car Electronics

Amazon.com: Miyole Waterproof 60LEDs/m LED Strip 5630 Natural white DC12V Flexible Light Pack of 5m/16.4ft: Home Improvement

The 3M adhesive did not hold well enough, so I used some clear RTV to attach them better. I will install the switches tomorrow and house the wires near the canister in conduit, but I'm pleased with the light output of the 5630 LEDs:
View attachment 64931

 

[AngryBird]

Anybody have any pictures of how to mount switches? Is it just best to tie into the parking light wire so when the truck gets unlocked it turns on?

 

[ramx50]

This is on my list to do..

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

Anybody have any pictures of how to mount switches? Is it just best to tie into the parking light wire so when the truck gets unlocked it turns on?

mine are wired to a magnetic switch so when my tailgate is opened, the lights turn on. there is also an over ride switch so if im driving with the tailgate down, i can turn them off

 

[AngryBird]

Sweet. Any pics of where you mounted it and which switch you used?

 

[The Macf]

Anybody have any pictures of how to mount switches? Is it just best to tie into the parking light wire so when the truck gets unlocked it turns on?

The first time I did it, I used the hole already in the bed behind the right tail light. Had to slightly enlarge though.





Not the cleanest install but it was covered up by the bedrug.



Round two, just drilled a hole to the right of the left tail light between the edge of the bed and tail gate. Will take pictures after work.