1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Bed Lights

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Tullie D, Mar 22, 2019.

  1. Mar 22, 2019 at 5:21 AM
    #1
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    There are many ways to do bed lights. Here are mine.
    20190322_075253[1].jpg 20190316_163715[1].jpg


    They are rather inexpensive AuxBeam LED light strips from Amazon. They're tucked up under the tie down rail on each side, out of harms way. I did not use the harness that came with them. Instead I came up with my own, using a CH4x4 switch, a relay, fuse, etc. attached directly to the battery. I did not want or need to tie into the trucks OE wiring.

    All connections are soldered and covered with shrink tubing.

    Total cost approx $65, total. I couldn't justify to myself spending a lot of money on something that I will seldom use. BTW, they are incredibly BRIGHT !

    Edit: They are not connected directly to the battery now. See below for explanation.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2019
    Rd62 likes this.
  2. Mar 31, 2019 at 12:28 AM
    #2
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    OK, I learned a valuable lesson, and thought that I should share it...
    It is stupid easy to leave the bed lights turned on. Them being hidden under a tonneau makes them being on unnoticeable.
    Even though they're LEDS, they'll kill the battery in just a few hours.:(

    I need to rethink how I've got them powered.
     
    pinochle, Boghog1 and deadpocketss like this.
  3. Mar 31, 2019 at 6:48 AM
    #3
    buyobuyo

    buyobuyo Read The Fucking Manual

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2008
    Member:
    #4417
    Messages:
    6,291
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeremy
    Camden, AR
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner SR5, I4, Manual, Silver
    A thing or two...
    Simple fix would be to wire in a pin switch, so they're only on when the tailgate is open.
     
    jarebear74 likes this.
  4. Apr 1, 2019 at 5:59 PM
    #4
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    I moved the power connection to an add-a-fuse. I chose the A/C fuse. Its only powered when the ignition switch is on. That will prevent me from killing the battery by forgetting to turn the lights off. I won't be using the lights very often anyway.

    I have an Extang Encore tonneau which can be opened from the front or rear, so the tailgate pin switch idea isn't ideal.
     
    VirusCage likes this.
  5. Apr 3, 2019 at 7:25 AM
    #5
    road2cycle

    road2cycle Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2016
    Member:
    #183973
    Messages:
    526
    Gender:
    Male
    Sonoma County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma DCLB 4x4 Limited
    Another option if you want to be able to power them on with the truck off is to use a time delay relay which is hooked up to a constant power source. That way they will turn off after a set time duration. I’ve seen some from Hella and Wolstentech. I used the one from Wolstentech for my heated mirror install.
     
  6. Apr 3, 2019 at 7:27 AM
    #6
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    That's an interesting idea. Thanks !
     
  7. Apr 6, 2019 at 6:47 PM
    #7
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    I didn't exactly use a kit. I bought the items separately. Below are the details. NOTE: I have since changed from connecting directly to the battery. It's now powered by an add-a-fuse in the A/C position of the main under hood fuse panel. This keeps me from leaving them on over night and having a dead battery the next morning. :eek:
    Also, the LEDs in the switch are connected so that they both come on when the switch is on. (And ignition on, with fan running.) I may change this again in the future.

    Here's the parts I used:
    Switch
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSJ1WVM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    [​IMG]
    Lights:
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H857NLH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Relay Kit: (included 2 sets... I only used 1)
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C0SATHE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    [​IMG]
    Here's how I wired mine:
    [​IMG]
    Here's the pigtail/relay socket details:

    [​IMG]
    Let me know if I can help. :thumbsup:

    Tullie D.
     
    Boghog1 likes this.
  8. May 15, 2019 at 11:29 PM
    #8
    MaukatoMakai4V6tacoma

    MaukatoMakai4V6tacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2016
    Member:
    #204179
    Messages:
    91
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Vehicle:
    2016 4V6 DCLB TRD Sport heavy hitter
    I did something different.

    F13A83AC-1F4E-43F6-B1EC-83335EE5DD98.jpg

    00C170F5-E379-48A5-93E4-B5193B22AC99.jpg
     
    Joker56ace, obpmem and Tullie D[OP] like this.
  9. May 16, 2019 at 4:12 AM
    #9
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    Looks good! :thumbsup:

    One of the reasons that I ran my wiring all the way to the back of the truck and made up my connections to the LED strips back there (as opposed to doing it at the front of the bed) was so it would be simpler to change over to something similar to what you did, if the el cheapo LED strips didn't work out like I wanted.

    So far, they have been fine. :fingerscrossed:

    For future reference, what lights did you use?
     
  10. May 16, 2019 at 8:22 AM
    #10
    MaukatoMakai4V6tacoma

    MaukatoMakai4V6tacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2016
    Member:
    #204179
    Messages:
    91
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Vehicle:
    2016 4V6 DCLB TRD Sport heavy hitter
    I was going to go with the light strips too but just wanted to try something different. I did have to cut into the bed thou, not to much people would want to do that :sawzall:.The light are from fcklightbars and the spacer is from rigid industries.
     
  11. May 25, 2019 at 5:18 AM
    #11
    JustinL

    JustinL Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2011
    Member:
    #50299
    Messages:
    3,756
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Berlin, CT
    Vehicle:
    2009 TRD OffRoad DCSB Pyrite Mica
    2012 Conversion
    Awesome idea
    https://m.delcity.net/store/Time-De...MI5ZOQxtS24gIV0VuGCh2WYQAHEAQYASABEgKjL_D_BwE
     
    Shveet and Tullie D[OP] like this.
  12. Nov 26, 2019 at 3:26 AM
    #12
    2001Tacoma

    2001Tacoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2009
    Member:
    #19530
    Messages:
    291
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR I4
    Thank you for making this post,,,, I learned a bunch from it :)
     
    Tullie D[OP] likes this.
  13. Nov 26, 2019 at 8:15 AM
    #13
    vicali

    vicali Touch my camera through the fence

    Joined:
    May 20, 2010
    Member:
    #37503
    Messages:
    2,673
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mike
    Kam,BC
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD Sport 1D6
    BD interior light on the bedside, addafuse to the interior panel constant 12v.
    I liked this one because it has a switch right on the light.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Apr 19, 2020 at 5:55 AM
    #14
    CoMo Taco

    CoMo Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2020
    Member:
    #319827
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Judah
    Columbia, Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2018 Toyota Tacoma SR Access Cab 4x4
    Alpine stereo replacement, 6x9 Kicker front door speaker upgrade, Kicker tweeter upgrade. 6000k HID upgrade, Running boards installed, Rear seats installed, Pedal Commander, Meso Map Lights, TRD pro grille, Raptor lights, TRD Pro rims, 4600's Bilsteins, Diode Dynamics SAE Yellow Fog lights, Custom fuse box.
    I plan on doing the same exact thing so thanks for the idea. Did you follow a how to I am not the best and figuring it out on my own haha. Just curious if there was a thread and or video you used as reference to do these. Maybe it was just that simple and im overthinking but thanks!
     
    Tullie D[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. Apr 19, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #15
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    I just made it up as I went along. It IS pretty simple, at least the way I did it was.

    bJz4jrNG4FLqmSKgVBhmaRCNITE0xlJXUIJXK3rX_713dc77e2fa45c9435a3625977e55a6c6dfd343c.jpg
     
    VirusCage likes this.
  16. May 6, 2020 at 4:59 PM
    #16
    CoMo Taco

    CoMo Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2020
    Member:
    #319827
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Judah
    Columbia, Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2018 Toyota Tacoma SR Access Cab 4x4
    Alpine stereo replacement, 6x9 Kicker front door speaker upgrade, Kicker tweeter upgrade. 6000k HID upgrade, Running boards installed, Rear seats installed, Pedal Commander, Meso Map Lights, TRD pro grille, Raptor lights, TRD Pro rims, 4600's Bilsteins, Diode Dynamics SAE Yellow Fog lights, Custom fuse box.
    @ ANYONE I need help. I must be the worst DIY guy on this forum. I put the bed LED strip lights in my truck bed. I am not sure how to wire them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to wire them into my cab. I am fine with leaving the button in the back of the bed and wiring them there. https://www.amazon.com/Auxbeam-Ligh...Auxbeam+Truck+bed+light&qid=1588809542&sr=8-1
    These are the strips I bought hand have on my Truck.
     
  17. May 6, 2020 at 5:39 PM
    #17
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    Follow the directions that came with your lights.
     
    pinochle likes this.
  18. May 6, 2020 at 9:41 PM
    #18
    slowlane

    slowlane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2014
    Member:
    #129313
    Messages:
    3,542
    Gender:
    Male
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    16 double cab MGM
    Probably some useful info here.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-waterproof-under-bed-rail-led-lights-3rd-gen.391380/
     
  19. May 11, 2020 at 6:34 PM
    #19
    CoMo Taco

    CoMo Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2020
    Member:
    #319827
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Judah
    Columbia, Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2018 Toyota Tacoma SR Access Cab 4x4
    Alpine stereo replacement, 6x9 Kicker front door speaker upgrade, Kicker tweeter upgrade. 6000k HID upgrade, Running boards installed, Rear seats installed, Pedal Commander, Meso Map Lights, TRD pro grille, Raptor lights, TRD Pro rims, 4600's Bilsteins, Diode Dynamics SAE Yellow Fog lights, Custom fuse box.
    Do you have any pictures of the wiring?
     
  20. May 11, 2020 at 10:00 PM
    #20
    Tullie D

    Tullie D [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Member:
    #285417
    Messages:
    2,555
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tullie
    Wilson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR5 V6 SSM Access Cab
    Everything that I've got has been previouly covered.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top