Detailed LED bed light install GUIDE. No Holes No wire cutting

Sub'd...excellent write up and pictorial. Thanks for sharing!

 

The only thing you should do different is sodler the connections rather than use the crimps at the corners. They will stop working eventually, it only took about 5 months for me and my lights started flickering/not coming on. I ended up taking the crimps off and soldering the wires, now theyre 100%. And yes i heat shrinked them...

Awesome write up!

 

Is the relay necessary for this mod? Just received my LEDs and 3M double sided tape and wanted to do the install this week.

 

X2?

Looking to doing the bed light mod soon, but pretty much a different route from the common LED strips. Going for that OEM/stock look. Got all the parts and now just gathering some info on the right way to wiring it up.

Amateur on wiring things up. So would this be ok. What I plan to do.
Run my wires straight to the battery for power, with an inline fuse(just to be on the safe side).
Switch will be in the bed.

Pretty much it to keep it simple.

 

Sub'd

 

Did you find out the answer? I'm new to all this, but everything makes sense except the relay picture. Why did you snip the red wire and where did the white come from?

EDIT** Man I love the internet. Just found this about Relays and now see why it's necessary. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-Electronic-Switches-Work-For-Noobs-Relays-and/ Still don't get why that one is wired like that.

 

relay is necessary when the items being powered draw more amps than the switch can handle. i.e. offoad lights such as daylighters pulling 15 amps on a 5 amp switch. You should not need a relay with LEDs as they have a low amp draw.

 

you need a relay if you use that toyota looka like switch it will burn out if you don't. Even says so in the instructions. Also for the guy saying you need to solder the corners you don't if you do them correctly. over a year and no issues.

 

Excellent write up! I installed my LED light bar in the bed today following your wiring. Thanks!

 

Very nice write up! I have to do my hood first then when I get a chance I will to my truck bed.

 

Thanks for the excellent pictures and description. I'm working on this now. Hopefully it turns out add nice as yours!

 

Thanks for this write up!

 

ok so over 2 years and finally had a sag in the middle back. just a minor one I put a dab of super glue and all good. It has held up well. You really need to protect everything or it won't last long.

 

Just ordered all the parts for this mod. Excited to finally have light back there!

 

Nice write up

 

Great write up. I am thinking of doing the same thing, but I think I am going to connect mine to the dome light so that when the doors open the bed lights come on and or I will do a switch at the tailgate to turn on lights when tailgate opens.

The reason for the doors is because eventually I will have the tailgate lock powered like the doors so when I unlock the doors the tailgate will unlock and the lights will come on.

 

sub'd

 

I need help! Love this tutorial! I'm in the process of purchasing all necessary parts. Hate to sound like a nub but I need help with running the grounds wire/wires. Anyone who's done this mod and has knowledge of it would really be a help. Thanks

 

Just discovered this thread and considering doing the same. There seem to be a lot of ready made kits for sale now, and presumably weren’t when the OP put this great how-to-do tutorial together. Wondering whether to start from basics or to take the seemingly easier way and buy a kit. If a kit, any recommendations for a 2nd Gen?

 

Lights still work! But man looking back on this It was a lot of work. Lol i'd never do this now too lazy. what was I thinking!