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DIY Bed Lights.

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by 1BadTundra, Nov 3, 2016.

  1. Nov 3, 2016 at 3:45 PM
    #1
    1BadTundra

    1BadTundra [OP] New Member

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    This whole mod costs less than $25. All it took was a 15' roll of LED strip, and a switch. I attached the LED's to the underside of my tonneau cover rails, but you can stick them anywhere... They come with 3m tape on the backside. You can run these to a switch, or tie directly into the parking light circuit, via the running light hot wire. I used a Dremal to cut the switch into the bed side, and tapped the black hot wire in the trailer harness for my source.

    20161103_145713.jpg
    20161103_170606.jpg
    20150610_212538.jpg
     
  2. Nov 3, 2016 at 4:34 PM
    #2
    gdiep

    gdiep I like cookies

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    Hey cool mod. I'm assuming you tapped into the wiring leading to your trailer plug. Can you tell me what wire (color and description) is the hot wire?

    Thanks.
     
  3. Nov 3, 2016 at 4:47 PM
    #3
    1BadTundra

    1BadTundra [OP] New Member

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    That's exactly what I did. Its the solid black wire coming out of the back of the trailer plug.
     
  4. Nov 4, 2016 at 8:29 AM
    #4
    AnonVet

    AnonVet That's what she said!

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    Nice job! Are these pretty solid being water proof? I dont have a tonneau cover and would just mount them underneath the upperside of the bed and kind of hidden. Think this would be ok?
     
  5. Nov 4, 2016 at 8:57 AM
    #5
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Thanks. This is something I wanna do. It would be very convenient for camping. Is the aforementioned black wire always hot? Or, does it run through an ignition switch position. I'd like to be able to walk up to the truck and turn the light on without having to enter the cab and turn the ignition switch. Again, thanks for posting this mod.
     
  6. Nov 4, 2016 at 4:01 PM
    #6
    1BadTundra

    1BadTundra [OP] New Member

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    The black wire's power is controlled by the ignition. The key does have to be on for it to be hot. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a constant hot back there, and as of now, I don't plan on running a wire up to the front... yet ;)
     
    Sleeper16plat and 831Tun[QUOTED] like this.
  7. Nov 4, 2016 at 4:02 PM
    #7
    1BadTundra

    1BadTundra [OP] New Member

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    These are completely waterproof. the electronics are encased in silicone.
     
  8. Sep 7, 2017 at 8:48 PM
    #8
    mscroggi

    mscroggi New Member

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    I like it!

    Any chance you have links to the parts you bought?
     
  9. Sep 7, 2017 at 10:07 PM
    #9
    Ely010606

    Ely010606 New Member

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    Same here, great job.
     
  10. Nov 3, 2017 at 5:14 PM
    #10
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

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    A little of this and a little of that.

    Do you have a link to the strip lighting you used, brother?
     
  11. Nov 3, 2017 at 6:20 PM
    #11
    mscroggi

    mscroggi New Member

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    I ordered some myself off Amazon for $8.50 - https://goo.gl/jdhpNX They seem to be the same cheapo Chinese light strips everyone is selling.. they work just fine.. On nice thing is.. connection wires are installed at both ends of the reel.. so if you run a strip down one side of the bed, you can cut it, then unreel the rest of the lights and use the tail end of the reel for the other side. It saves you from having to put your own connectors onto the strips.

    The strip works great.. it seems fine.. I am a little worried that the strip might drop down during the 100+ degree days of Texas.. but if that happens I will likely apply a little clear silicone adhesive to stick them back. On one end of one strip, I over-handled the strip and the adhesive didnt stick that well.. A little silicone took care of it..

    As you can see my implementation is essentially the exact thing that 1badTundra did.. I used this switch - https://goo.gl/ytG4cK Its not the greatest quality switch.. but for now its fine. It has a waterproof boot.. I might find a better quality one and replace it.. I wanted to use the existing hole in the sidewall for the switch (where the post holes are close to the tailgate) so I wanted something small.. I could have gone bigger and used a a more durable switch I think.. There are lots of them made for marine applications. It needs to be a switch that the tightening nut is installed from the front not the back..

    If there is one thing I would like to change is to have a full time hot wire for it.. I dont like having to have the ignition switch on to see the bedlights. I gather I will have to run a wire to the battery for that.. I just havent addressed that issue.. Maybe later I will.

    bedlights.resized.jpg
     
    Henry1jg, TXTundra89 and mlucas555 like this.
  12. Nov 3, 2017 at 8:28 PM
    #12
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

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    A little of this and a little of that.
    Thank you for the explanation and links!!
     
  13. Nov 4, 2017 at 6:49 AM
    #13
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

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    Great job!
     
  14. Jan 30, 2018 at 7:29 PM
    #14
    Sephirothjx2

    Sephirothjx2 New Member

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    None yet!
    Can't wait to do this on mine. I've already got some always hot wires run to the bed. Previous owner probably had a tonneau cover with lights and removed them before selling it.
     
  15. Jan 31, 2018 at 3:48 AM
    #15
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

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    I used these lights on my Taco and wired to door switch. They came on with interior lights. First problem was the adhesive did not hold up. Texas heat? I had to use 3M tape. Second problem was the lights quit working after 1 year. When they did I replaced with 8" Shoreline Marine submersibles.
     
  16. Dec 31, 2018 at 4:41 PM
    #16
    rebmo

    rebmo 2020 Crewmax Limited 4wd Silver/Black

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    How does the ignition switch turn on power for the bed? Don't the running lights or headlights need to be turned on also? Just curious, contemplating this mod. Thanks!
     
  17. Dec 31, 2018 at 5:30 PM
    #17
    AlmightyCrash

    AlmightyCrash Tundra Rookie, Jeep Veteran

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    Well done. I’m doing the same thing, but wiring it to the bed lights at the top of the cab.
     
    Henry1jg and 138thBatista like this.
  18. Jan 2, 2019 at 7:37 AM
    #18
    Jleebo77

    Jleebo77 New Member

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    That's cool, next on my list.
     
  19. Jan 5, 2019 at 6:42 PM
    #19
    Tspiels

    Tspiels New Member

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    There is a full time hot wire that is located under the step cover on the driver’s side that leads to the outside cab light. I believe it’s purple, but test them to be sure.
     
  20. Jan 10, 2019 at 7:33 PM
    #20
    phabej

    phabej New Member

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    NO LONGER HAVE A TUNDRA... Waiting
    For 2018 it's pink.
    I did this wired to the bed light.

    IMG_20181113_165247.jpg
     
    Akongo and sdde4n like this.
  21. Feb 24, 2019 at 8:10 PM
    #21
    peterhansolo

    peterhansolo New Member

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    9OKutPXCQci1p9b0ycivMA.jpg 56844324804__94206847-D224-4A72-838C-1E68EB6DA91D.jpg
    I should have come here first to check out all the mods before starting my own projects... anyway, I ran wire all the way to the front so its a constant hot.
     
    Akongo likes this.
  22. Feb 25, 2019 at 6:39 AM
    #22
    multirc

    multirc New Member

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    I wired hot as well. Wanted to be able to turn the lights on without the key. My next mod for the spring will be installing a damn pop and lock. Started the truck numerous times only to realize I had to get something out of the back. Had to shut the truck off so I can unlock the tailgate with my......key.

    Bed Lights.jpg

    Switch.jpg
     
    mlucas555 likes this.
  23. Feb 25, 2019 at 8:51 AM
    #23
    peterhansolo

    peterhansolo New Member

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    looks good and please let me know how the install goes for the lock. I've been wanting to do the same
     
  24. Feb 25, 2019 at 9:22 AM
    #24
    mlucas555

    mlucas555 New Member

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    Still rocking the stock height.
    I need to do this to mine.
     
  25. Feb 25, 2019 at 10:57 AM
    #25
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

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    I had them on my Tacoma. First the adhesive that came with lights failed. I used some double sided tape and it worked well until the lights shorted out from moisture. After that I went with some submersible 8" marine lights and never had another problem. I wired mine to the door switch. I preferred that because when I closed the door I knew they would go off. I put LEDs in my cargo lights in the Tundra and have no need for anything else. I can even skin and butcher deer in the dark with the cargo lights on.
     
  26. Dec 15, 2020 at 9:47 AM
    #26
    kilvapj

    kilvapj New Member

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    I am interested in doing the same thing. where did you tap the Lights at? and what colors are the wires?
     
  27. Dec 15, 2020 at 9:54 AM
    #27
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    Usually found in the driver side door sill. Color depends on yr.
     
  28. Feb 26, 2023 at 4:30 PM
    #28
    1BadTundra

    1BadTundra [OP] New Member

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    So I recently got a new tonneau cover. The LED strips were attached to the bottom side of that frame. Now I have a pair of Rock lights mounted in there aimed toward the back of the bed.
     
    AGSport likes this.

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