2019 Tundra Bed Lights

I decided to get out of my comfort zone and install bed lights in my 2019 Tundra Crewmax. Let me tell you it was a huge pain in the ass and I hope my mistakes or decisions help you in some way. I was going back and forth with wiring into the passenger compartment or not, but eventually decided the less things I had to touch would result in less accidental damage. I will follow up with pictures later on this thread. Total cost of lights and switch was $30, which I'll also provide the link. My two biggest obstacles: Placement of Switch (which I regret now) and Tapping into 7 pin trailer plug (easy when you figure out which is ground and running lights).

So not to drill any extra holes in the bed, I used the factory hole, driver's side close to the tailgate. I drilled this hole out a little bit to accommodate the switch before knowing what was on the other side. I got the hole wide enough, then decided to take out the taillight to find what is on the other side of that factory hole. You will find a metal enclosure inside. What a headache. I ended up having to take off one side of my rollup bed cover frame as well as pop up the plastic drivers side bed rail. A huge pain to fish everything through and when trying to put on the nut to tighten the switch down, it fell through the frame and still cant find it. I ultimately "jerry rigged" it enough to stay in place and may tackle it again during warmer weather if my current solution does not keep it in place. ** Lesson learned - If you are going to install a bedlight switch, ensure to see whats on the other side of the hole and you are able to get your hand in there to hold and tighten down the nut.

Next was wiring. I spent an awful lot of time pondering power and where to TTap into. (I did not use a multi meter although did consider buying one just for this project.) I was so hesitant to "cut" into a wire and make a mistake. I went online a lot to try to figure out colors of wires I should tap into which led me to just look at the diagram on the cover of the 7 pin plug. Since the plug on the underside has what I call an 11oclock lean, I took a permanent marker and marked 12oclock on the back side so I could translate what I saw on the cover diagram to the back side of the plug. I did not want fulltime 12v+ so I decided to TTap into the Running Lights and Ground. Drum roll please and the answer that has been hard to find until now! Negative/Ground - WHITE/BLACK wire. Running Lights - GREEN wire. If I had this information from the start, it would have saved me probably and hour or so. ***Lesson learned - Go right to the trailer plug cover to confirm what you see online. Also, I used a spare boat battery to test throughout wiring process to gain confidence before TTapping into the 7 pin plug which was the very last thing I did. Don't forget to disconnect the Neg from the battery before TTapping.
Below will be links to equipment purchased. I'll add pictures later. Please feel free to ask any questions as I'd love to help someone who is apprehensive as I was in this project.

$20 Xprite White Truck Pickup Bed Light Kit, 24 Led Cargo Rock Lighting Kits w/Switch for Van Off-Road Under Car, Side Marker, Foot Wells, Rail Lights - 8 PCS

Xprite Led Rock Light for Bed Truck, 24 LEDs Cargo Truck Pickup Bed, Off Road Under Car, Foot Wells, Rail Lights, Side Marker LED Rock Lighting Kit w/Switch White - 8 PCs

$10 Quentacy 19mm 3/4" Metal Latching Pushbutton Switch 12V Power Symbol LED 1NO1NC SPDT ON/Off Black Waterproof Toggle Switch with Wire Socket Plug (Blue)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H9KWL6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Imagine if you decided to build a double switch (inside and tailgate area)! Luck and enjoy the lit up world.

 

Imagine if someone in the forum had introduced you to @mattgecko and his lighting setups for our trucks. Sorry you had a rough go.

 

Thanks for that info, got some interesting ideas off it. :^)

 

that’s what’s going on mine

 

eBay works great also. This is a must upgrade

 

I still need to tuck the wires. I do like the placement of the switch just a pain to mount. I would suggest finding another spot.

 

Plenty of light. Still need to tuck the wires.