Interior topper led options?

Getting a new are topper soon.Ordered without there lights so i wasn’t married to there stuff.
Looking at gecko,gofluxx etc and not sure what to get.
I know there all basically the same and not crazy about piecing together cheap Amazon crap.
I think I want to install the lights on the inside plastic upper winddoor frame,not the actual windoor.
If having on the actual swing windoor is a better use of the light without being a pain than i would consider it.
One on each side and then one on the opening back door to illuminate the tailgate area when opened.
Nothing on the front window towards the cab.
Would like a push button on each rear bed post so if I open the back window or side winddoors I have a on/off button.
Another option is one led strip down the middle,one on each windoor when opened and one on back opening window for 4 lights total.

Best way to wire stright to battery or add a fuse box of some kind?
I would like to add one or two lights to come on with reverse lights as well.
Under hood will be magnetic led as I won’t use that much.
Appreciate the advise.

 

Yes but since mine came with 3 I put them all in. The third is mounted above the rear hatch.

Use a fuse. But you can wire the fuse inline straight to the battery. Just make sure it is fused on the battery side of the switch or relay. For LED lights like this you shouldn't need a relay. Just check the amperage rating of the lights and the switch.

I would use a relay that is triggered by tapping into the reverse wire right there behind the taillight itself. You will need power from the battery with wiring and a fuse sized for the lights you are installing. This should be between the battery and the power supply side of the relay.


I used these from Amazon:

$27 Nilight 3PCS 60" Bed Light Strip 270 LED with On/Off Switch Blade Fuse Splitter Extension Cable for Cargo Pickup Truck SUV RV Boat

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZLWJZLT?ie=UTF8

$14 APIELE 10 Amp 16mm Latching Push Button Switch 12V Angel Eye LED Waterproof Round Self-Locking 1NO (Black Aluminum, Red)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BWHRY8RG?ie=UTF8


You can see the pics and my full setup here with fuse box and switch in the rear of the truck. I do not have a photo of them at night but they light it up inside the bed like daylight and even shine light outside a bit.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/phone-cubby-to-switch-panel.843796/#post-30183919

 

FWIW, and kind of brief for time….

I installed a 2 circut dual color super bright LED from @mattgecko similar to what you described and it’s awesome.

The main circut is just rear and drivers side of cap (vs more standard “horseshoe” shape). Totally illuminates the bed fine, doesn’t blind me if I’m laying “in bed” and reading, etc… and is more than sufficient on its own to illuminate the rear tailgate cook/work area.

Second was custom based on my measurements (Leer 100XR) that I thought would be shining straight down when opened. Turned out there was enough clearance between the trim and tailgate to install 1 “downward” and the second “backwards”. It’s awesome. Have enough light to fully pull a 16.5’ boat onto a trailer, pull the anchor, strap down the cover, etc… in the middle of a dark new moon night without any auxiliary lighting. Unexpectedly great!

Later I pulled out a somewhat janky 4-button switch box for those LEDs, along with the TAG fuse block and replaced with a rear taillight aux fuse block and bed switch mounts, 3-D printed available from @switch. Super clean install and easy. Works great.

Finally, for reverse lights triggering, maybe look to @daveeasa with FBC Harness Solutions. Believe his DIR harness has an aux wire. I don’t have/use that specifically, but his stuff is high quality and he was super helpful.

Best of luck!

Random related photos follow….

 

Fantastic,I may reach out with some? Thanks

 

Anytime. And point of clarification, the initially janky LED controls were of my own design, not @mattgecko, although he provided a very concise wiring diagram with the order….

B


(First try kinda sucked… It worked. I made it better!)