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Bed LED delay switch?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by TunedUpTaco, Sep 16, 2025 at 12:55 PM.

  1. Sep 16, 2025 at 12:55 PM
    #1
    TunedUpTaco

    TunedUpTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2020
    Member:
    #351122
    Messages:
    290
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Dundas, Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD OffRoad - DCSB - Auto - Stock(ish)
    I got some LED's that I want to install in the bed. I'd like to get a switch near the tailgate to turn them on, even if the truck is not running.
    I'm also dumb, so I'll probably forget to turn them off and drain the battery at one point. So I'm thinking if I can install some sort of timer, that just runs for 10/15 minutes and then shuts off?
    I found some things online to that effect, but before I try this: does that make sense at all?
    Has anyone done this? Any recommendations for the switch?
    I'm also pretty sure there is no permanent hot wire in the bed, so I'd need to run that as well.
     
  2. Sep 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
    #2
    BabyBilly

    BabyBilly Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2023
    Member:
    #430256
    Messages:
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    First Name:
    Billy
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    I don't know about the timer but @mattgecko makes a kit for LED lights that go under the bed rails and work great. The kit comes with a pin switch that gets installed right near the tailgate.

    Here's mine from when I did the install a few years ago.
    IMG_1813.jpg
     
    TunedUpTaco[OP] likes this.
  3. Sep 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
    #3
    drizzoh

    drizzoh itsjdmy0

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2020
    Member:
    #332922
    Messages:
    2,339
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2021 Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4x4
    Do you have the factory squid launcher bed lighting switch next to the steering wheel? The factory bed light kit can be turned on any time from there once the lights are added.

    I don't like cutting into factory wiring if not completely necessary, so if I was in your shoes and wanted a totally separate setup, I'd run new wiring thru a relay and use a waterproof switch mounted in the bed to toggle them. Edit: would accomplish the same look as above. I didn't know someone already made a kit for that.
     
    TunedUpTaco[OP] likes this.

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