Installing Matt Gecko’s LED lights

Good morning everyone

I’m about to buy Matt Gecko’s LED strips for my 1794 bed. I want to install it so it comes on at the same time as door unlock/cargo light/remote unlock.

Can anyone tell me how I would do that? I’m looking for specifics - what I would wire to what and how I would do that.

Much appreciated.

 

On my 2010 DC, the cargo light power was a thin, brown wire under the driver’s side door sill. (Didn’t wire my Gecko’s to that, but pulled power for undercarriage lighting from there without issue.) The color may be different on your year - you can check the diagrams posted elsewhere here to be sure.

If you pull from there you won’t need to wire in the switch, as the cargo circuit will act as your switching mechanism. Then just connect your ground wire to an appropriate point.

 

Here you go. From the 2018 diagrams posted here under the Electrical subforum. Looks like yours will be either pink or grey with red stripe:

 

I wired my bed lights so that it turns on when I open my tailgate, and turns off when I close my tailgate which is the only time I’ll need it at night.

I also made a switch to manually turn it off if I have my tail gate open hauling items and don’t want my lights on.

 

Also I noticed you’re in the Bay Area, I can give a helping hand or guidance if you’ll like to do the same set up as mine.

 

@SFTundra
How did you :
"Wired my bed lights so that it turns on when I open my tailgate, and turns off when I close my tailgate which is the only time I’ll need it at night.

I also made a switch to manually turn it off if I have my tail gate open hauling items and don’t want my lights on."

?

 

The bare minimum you’ll need a magnetic switch.

but if you want to override and turn it off while the tail gate is open while you are driving, you’ll need another switch as well. Here are the links where I bought it.

magnetic switch

$15 Directed Electronics 8600 Micro Magnetic Switch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009SUEZY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title


Switch

$10 19mm Latching Push Button Switches SPDT ON/Off Waterproof Black Metal 12V Ring LED with Wire Plug (White)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B076GYW4KX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Lmk if you need help with the wiring diagram.

 

does the toggle switch keep the lights on regardless of tailgate position? For example if you were in the bed of the truck and wanted the lights on with tailgate up, would this accomplish that? Thanks