12V wiring in the bed of the truck

I want to put a 12V outlet and some LED bed lights in my truck. I was wondering if there are 12V sources in the bed? I have a TRD sport so it has the inverter in the back. Has anyone seen or tested the wiring on the inverter and got a 12V source from it?

Or should I just do piercedtiger's 12v outlet mod?http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/4838-cheap-free-mods.html#post45453

I only wanted to do this so I don't have to make the wiring going all the way to the battery. But it also makes me think that this maybe not that useful if I get the power from the inverter, the power might only be on when the switch for the inverter is on.

TIA

 

if you already have the plug back there you should be fine for running LED lights, they use hardly and power.

 

My LED lights use a 12V source.

 

oh its a cig plug?

 

The actual power inverter for the 110 outlet is located inside the cab not at the plug, so the power wire to the jack is going to be AC. If you want a DC jack, you'll have to run wires.

 

or get a AC/DC adapter, cut and splice some wires...but then you would have that ugly black box plugged in the bed of your truck all the time

 

If you can find it you could probably splice into the power/ground wiring that runs to the hitch plug.

Just be careful running your mod stuff when you've got a trailer dawing off the system. Also, that harness may be switched through the ACC or ignition.

With as high off the ground as the truck is, it shouldn't be too hard to run a line to the battery; just zip-tie the run to the hitch wire harness in a few spots then up the firewall, crimp on a couple ring connectors (there should be a little screw-on on the side of each battery terminal) and you're there (you can even stick an in-line fuse holder in there just to be safe, just put it somewhere accessable). It'll be a little more complex if you want the switching for the lights inside the cab

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I guess I'll just have to wire it all the way to the battery. I like modding and stuff but I'm just lazy now a days. Always trying to look for an easier way to mod stuff.

How did some of you guys get through the firewall? Where's the easiest route?

 

You don't really have to go through the firewall if you don't need a switch in the cab (you could put it by the jack). Otherwise, there is a pass-through port high on the driver's side.

 

I want the 12v outlet to have constant power. I'll only need the lights to be switched. I'll probably put the switch close to the 12V outlet that I'll be hooking up.

 

Okay, then you don't have to bother going through the firewall. Just run it under the truck and up into the engine compartment and secure it with zip ties along the way. Fuse it near the battery.

 

You will definetely want to run a wire to get 12vdc. If you don't how will you turn them on and off? You have to put a switch in some where. I would assume you would want that in the cab, correct? So therefore you will already need to run the wire that far you might as well run the other 6' to the fuse panel and do it right.

If you tie in to the hitch wiring then the only time you will have 12vdc is when the lights are on or you hit the brakes.

 

im planning on installing a blue sea systems auxiliary fuse box near the bed to wire future lights and speakers. Its a great way to organize your wires and grounds. You should look into it:
http://bluesea.com/category/5/21/productline/126

 

If the switch is in the bed, then there's no need to go through the firewall, when I said "up the firewall" I meant routing along the firewall on the engine bay side since you'll be routing from the battery to the bed by going under the cab. You probably really only need to run one wire since you can splice into any ground that's already back there (trailer hookup, tail/brake lights) or maybe just onto the frame rail for the "cold" side. Just put the inline fuse up close to the battery terminal where it'll be easy to reach under the hood (don't want a rubbed wire or short to drain the battery and strand you).

 

The Sport has a 7 pin trailer plug. There is a heavy wire that is used to charge a travel trailer battery as part of the trailer wiring, and will handle pretty much any load you'll put on it. This wire has 12V any time the ignition is in run/on position. Those saying you'll have power only when lights or brake are on are incorrect. A good option if you don't absolutely need constant 12V.

I tapped into this wire on my last truck (Chevy Silverado) to power a pair of driving lights as back-up lights. Put a relay near the rear bumper, and ran a wire from a switch in the cab to trigger the relay. A lot easier on the Taco with the plastic bed liner to find an out of the weather spot for the relay. I plan on doing the same for my Taco.

The only down-side to this type of set-up is having the key on will add additional draws, adding to power consumption when the truck is off.

 

I wired LED bed lights and had to run to the battery for power. This is the only way to have constant power (regardless of key position or presence). The hitch only gives you switched power.

It's very easy. I ran it through a small hole in one of the cubby's. Then down along the wheel well to the inside of the frame rail. Run that all the way up to the plug under the drivers seat. Once under the carpet, run it over to the edge that hides all of the other other wires and run it up to the area under the dead pedal. Then out the plug in the firewall to the battery. Connect the wire to a fuse holder and connect your fuse holder to the battery.

You can also ground it using a self-tapping screw to a small lip on the wheel well metal. Its just inside the cubby.

I did it this way because I use the lights when I am out of the truck and have the keys with me. I also ran a switch in the cab and in the bed and either or both will turn them on or off. I posted the wiring diagram somewhere around here. Let me know if you are interested and I can dig it up.

 

Thanks Vecctser for the advice. These are the lights I'm putting on. The wifey got me these for christmas, I know they're a little ricey but I think they'll match the blue on the truck really well, plus they were really cheap. I'm only using them as accent lights don't really know how bright they'll be. Can't wait for my christmas break to do more mods and hopefully some boarding.

Happy Holidays everybody!

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/41603-my-12v-mod.html

Here is another good writeup on 12v in the bed.

 

I found the following info in old post. Can someone tell us for sure if the trailer wiring has a CONSTANT HOT as indicated below???

Thanks guys...

There is a constant hot that runs to the trailer wiring, if you have the towing option. You can run it though the left rear storage compartment down to the trailer wire harness. It will be the #4 Position, Double check with a test light first!

 

You might want to add a cabin switch. Make sure they're off when driving. Blue lights will get you a ticket in California. The only colors permitted viewable from the rear are red or amber. From 2 feet forward of the rear, only amber or white.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=25001-26000&file=25950-25952