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LED strips for bed lighting?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by JJ_TNDRA20, Oct 18, 2020.

  1. Oct 18, 2020 at 10:22 PM
    #1
    JJ_TNDRA20

    JJ_TNDRA20 [OP] JJ

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    Quick question, I dont have a voltage meter...looking to install some LED strips for bed lighting....does anyone know of a hot wire and ground i can tap into for the these lights...

    Also, as a source, would you recommend the tail lights or the license plate lights???
     
  2. Oct 18, 2020 at 10:30 PM
    #2
    Rockgate

    Rockgate New Member

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    Your could try the trailer harness if you want constant.
     
  3. Oct 18, 2020 at 10:44 PM
    #3
    Jonnynewton909

    Jonnynewton909 New Member

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    Does your truck not have the OEM bed lights? If it does, that would be easy to tap into. If it does not, maybe the wiring is there for the addition of the factory bed lights???
     
  4. Oct 24, 2020 at 11:57 PM
    #4
    JJ_TNDRA20

    JJ_TNDRA20 [OP] JJ

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    thanks...went straight to the battery...
     
  5. Oct 25, 2020 at 4:28 AM
    #5
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Contact @mattgecko and he will square you away with whatever you need.
     
    HulkSmurf14, grichg and mattgecko like this.
  6. Oct 25, 2020 at 5:55 AM
    #6
    biebs96

    biebs96 my other truck is a big brown truck

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  7. Oct 27, 2020 at 10:04 AM
    #7
    Charliebrn

    Charliebrn New Member

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    Tyger Folding Tonneau cover Polished stainless running boards LED interior lighting VLED Footwell Kit LED Bed lighting
    Another thumbs-up for the MattGecko bed lights. Awesome lighting without blinding you.
     
    HulkSmurf14 likes this.
  8. Oct 28, 2020 at 3:30 PM
    #8
    TxTundraAustin

    TxTundraAustin New Member

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    Looks great! Would you mind sharing which wire you tapped into? Im guessing the loom is on driver side?
    Thanks!
     
  9. Oct 28, 2020 at 4:04 PM
    #9
    biebs96

    biebs96 my other truck is a big brown truck

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    On a 19 I’m not sure what wire it will be.

    On a 17 it was a thin brown wire in the driver loom.
     
  10. Oct 30, 2020 at 7:33 AM
    #10
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    TRD Rear Sway Bar - Front tint - Caliraised LED Fogs & Light Bar-Bed LEDs-Bed Cover-Wireless Charger
    Do you have bed rails? I ordered these and they're too long. Could you post of couple day pics of how you have them attached. Thanks
     
  11. Oct 30, 2020 at 8:27 AM
    #11
    Beesta

    Beesta New Member

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    How are you turning it off when you don't need it ..?
     
  12. Oct 30, 2020 at 10:49 AM
    #12
    biebs96

    biebs96 my other truck is a big brown truck

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    I will post them tomorrow. It will be dark when I get home tonight.
    They fit on the tonneau cover rails perfectly.
     
  13. Oct 30, 2020 at 10:52 AM
    #13
    Charliebrn

    Charliebrn New Member

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    Tyger Folding Tonneau cover Polished stainless running boards LED interior lighting VLED Footwell Kit LED Bed lighting
    The MartGecko kit had a waterproof toggle switch included. Drilled a hole under and to the rear of the rail on drivers side, which is exposed when you take the taillight off. It’s easy to reach with the tailgate down and out of the way of most cargo.
     
  14. Oct 30, 2020 at 11:08 AM
    #14
    Beesta

    Beesta New Member

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    Oh im good... thanks ... i put one in my bed already but i followed how the factory lights schematics. I was just wondering.
     
  15. Oct 30, 2020 at 11:47 AM
    #15
    JJ_TNDRA20

    JJ_TNDRA20 [OP] JJ

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    it came with a switch...
     
    Beesta[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Nov 2, 2020 at 2:02 PM
    #16
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    TRD Rear Sway Bar - Front tint - Caliraised LED Fogs & Light Bar-Bed LEDs-Bed Cover-Wireless Charger
    any chance to get a pic?
     
  17. Nov 3, 2020 at 4:55 AM
    #17
    biebs96

    biebs96 my other truck is a big brown truck

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    72E3821B-5488-4CC5-96FF-4F5201244241.jpg

    C492A2A8-E68D-4099-A389-574680EDAF9E.jpg
     
    Pardonmyn00b likes this.
  18. Nov 3, 2020 at 5:49 AM
    #18
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    Thx as I figured you don’t have the deck rail system. These are a bit too long for the deck rails. I don’t think they’d say attached.
     
  19. Nov 3, 2020 at 7:21 AM
    #19
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    ordered the MattGecko bed lights since they require the deck rails for install. will report back once I get them installed.
     
  20. Nov 6, 2020 at 1:33 PM
    #20
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    Did you run the bed led positive to the cargo lamp wire?
     
  21. Nov 6, 2020 at 1:37 PM
    #21
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    If you did could you please show of pic of which wire you tapped? Thanks
     
  22. Nov 6, 2020 at 1:44 PM
    #22
    biebs96

    biebs96 my other truck is a big brown truck

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    I did. The wire is located in the driver side sill plate. But I know the color will not be the same as on my 17
     
  23. Nov 11, 2020 at 7:43 AM
    #23
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    Matt Gecko led bed lights. Very pleased with them. Bright enough but not blinding. Quality product!

     
    MyActualName likes this.
  24. Nov 11, 2020 at 8:18 AM
    #24
    sotex

    sotex Sic 'em Bears!

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    Just ordered my @mattgecko lights for the bed and hood. How easy/fast is the install?
     
    vipgs3 likes this.
  25. Nov 11, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #25
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    depends on if you run them like the directions say with his switch. I didn't. I ran mine to the cargo light which caused me to have to run a relay. All in all not bad
     
  26. Nov 11, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #26
    sotex

    sotex Sic 'em Bears!

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    Hmmmm. Now I'm trying to decide which I would prefer. I think a switch would be great if I were just in the back and wanted it on. Switched to the cargo would mean any "auto off" would turn off those lights too, correct? Whereas a switch would be dedicated.
     
  27. Nov 11, 2020 at 8:45 AM
    #27
    Kevfran99

    Kevfran99 New Member

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    Your cargo light switch is auto, on, or off. Yes mine is set to auto currently so when the cargo lights kick off the bed lights do too. But if I plan to be back there for a while just flip the interior switch to on.
     
    sotex[QUOTED] likes this.
  28. Mar 31, 2021 at 7:24 PM
    #28
    dooododoo

    dooododoo New Member

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    Fortin EVO-ONE Remote Start iBoard Running Boards (Black 5") LED interior lights Line-X Bed Plasti-Dip Emblems
    How did you run the wires from the driver's kick panel to the bed? I assume the wire would be running under the truck to somewhere in the bed? Where does the wire exactly go from kick panel (interior) to under the truck (exterior)? And then where exactly does the wire come into the bed? Near the driver tail light?
     
  29. Mar 31, 2021 at 10:34 PM
    #29
    Pardonmyn00b

    Pardonmyn00b New Member

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    I just did the Amazon led kit and it’s awesome! Ran a power wire from the battery as I plan to have more power options mounted in the bed in the future. have a hidden push button waterproof switch to turn them on and off.

    I did not want them run off my "bed lights relay" because I didn't want them to turn on and off all the time during the day.

    I ran it down from the battery along the frame tons of room, convenient my dad has a 2 post lift in his shop. I should have taken some pictures of how I ran the wire.
    E909D4ED-F7D1-4A91-B537-3792424933D0.jpg 89B71664-7AB3-4B4B-835D-B38057511CF6.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2021
  30. Apr 4, 2021 at 11:25 AM
    #30
    dooododoo

    dooododoo New Member

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    For the guys that tapped into the cargo light wire at the driver's door.... where did you connect the ground to?
     

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