Bed light rewire with shell

Just got a snugtop hi-liner and was hoping someone had some insights into a solution for still being able to utilize the bed light switch to A reworked bright light at the back?

 

Are you referring to the “cargo light” switch up in the cab? Or a “bed light” switch somewhere else?

 

Cargo light. Always useful when having to lock up a gate behind you at night when leaving somewhere.

 

you'll need to wire up a relay if you're trying to hook up an additional light.

the blue wire in the connector on the back of the cargo light switch is the "trigger" so that would go to the relay trigger, and then power and ground to the battery, and the output run along the frame rail back to your new light

 

Do you have the 120vac outlet in your bed? I know it's not the solution you asked for but I got a USB powered LED light strip and wired it to a USB converter plugged into my 120vac outlet. I can turn it on/off from the cab.

I also have several other LED light strips back controlled with switches in the cap...not switched from the cab.

 

I am interested in adding a USB led strip to my bed. Do you have more info and pics on your set up. Thanks. Im adding a softopper so i want some lighting.

 

Here's my solution to the shitty light these caps come with. Wired to a switch in the cab.

 

You got a build thread write up on your cap lighting setup (I saw the link to the rope lights)...

Not like my build thread has jack other than listed mods, it sucks so you've been forewarned!

 

It's fairly simple.

It's just some 3" or 4" (IIRC) wide aluminum flat stock. I measured the length of the bolts that go through the roof for the rails and drilled holes for each of the holes on one side of the flat stock. On the other side, I drilled holes every 6" to 8" to attach the rope lights with zip ties. Im sure the adhesive would have been OK but it gets really hot here in the summer and I didn't feel like going back and dealing with taking it apart again to drill holes for zip ties; do it once, do it right. I mounted the flat stock using longer bolts through the roof rails. I then wired everything daisy chaining 3 total flat stock bed light rails in total; 1 rail up each side and one near the back for the tailgate area.

The roof mounted LEDs are tied into the bed rail LED strips I installed a long time ago before I ever had the bed cap. everything runs under the truck and up to a switch I have mounted in the rear most sunglasses holder next to my head in the cab.

I can snag some pics of the flat stock system in the cap if you want.

 

If your truck came with the power inverter with 120v bed outlet it's fairly simple. Get a 120v to USB adapter which are available at any gas station, truck stop or Walmart. Then search for "USB powered LED lights". There's 1000's of products out there to chose from depending on the style of lights you want (LED strips, ribbons, floodlights, sconces etc). I went with USB LED "fairy lights" because I like the look:

$5 Karlling USB Plug in LED Fairy Lights,50 LED Bulbs 16 Ft Silver Wire Waterproof Starry String Lights for Bedroom Patio Garden Party Wedding Commercial Lighting (Warm White)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XKFLBGS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Actually I have like 6 sets of these. I have them in my Tacoma cap, my travel trailer, my truck camper, and my bedroom at home .

Some might not like the concept of converting 12v to 120v to 5V USB because it's not the cleanest way to install lighting. But if you've got the 120v power outlet in your bed, it's the easiest way to have lighting that's switchable from your cab.

I'll try to get some photos today.