Factory Bed Light

Has anyone installed the factory bed light on a 2017 or is that not possible without major modifications?

Thanks

 

Define major?

you will need to drill and run wiring

 

I believe it's only 2020 and up where it's plug and play. Earlier than that requires some more extensive work as Tacospike said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdevX2QwMv0

 

Wouldn't LED strips under the rails be much better and easier?

 

If you were starting from scratch with an install, then yes. However you'll still need to wire and install a dash switch for the lights, which isn't hard if you're not pre-wired but is a factor.

If your truck is set-up plug-in-play for the stock bed lights, that's the route I would go. My '20 was pre-wired and install of the lights took less than 30 mins. I've been very impressed by the light they put out as well!

Below is a shot I took at night with basically other light source other than the lights next to the center taillight and the bed lights:

 

I believe only the 20 and 21s are pre-wired. The hardest part of my install was the terror I experienced popping the tail light assembly off the clips The OP has a 17 so I think he's stuck with the harder route of starting from scratch.

 

I’ve have the older style kit on my 2018. It’s about as involved as the locking tailgate kit. Just some very minor modifications. (Drilling the holes for the lights themselves). The OEM kit comes with the wiring harness.

 

2017 owner here with the bed light kit installed. Pre-2020 is not wired or otherwise accommodated; you drill your own holes and run the wires yourself. It's not hard and the harness is long so you have plenty of extra wire to make the run.

Lots of build threads here, including mine if you need help. It can be done with basic tools, a drill, and elementary wiring knowledge.

 

I got a 2017 so wiring will have to be from scratch. I was thinking about tapping the 3rd brake light but it doesnt stay in that long after you exit the truck. I was thinking of going directly to battery with independent switch in the bed. I deally i would like a combo of both having automatic on/off when i open the tailgate(magnetic switch) and a switch in bed to be able to turn it on off regardless of tailgate position. Anyone do this yet?

 

Here's a link to @Tullie D 's bed light build...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-lights.600377/#post-20172260

 

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping for close to plug and play but it looks like not.

 

From what I've seen, it's only plug and play for 2020 and later...

 

If you have to do the wiring yourself, i would just do a custom install overall with some bigger, brighter LED’s . Just a thought?

 

I've been thinking about wiring something up with some Baja Designs rock lights mounted in the bed, or maybe even their S1 lights. Probably just running a new harness back to them and then tapping into the factory bedlight switch for use.

 

Yeah i guess. They came stock when i ordered my sr5 access cab. Dealer said it was part of the technology package with what i wanted.

 

With a relay? I think a few people have gone this way.

 

This is news to me, I'm not really an accessory junkie, but these look useful. Mine is '20 OR, by the way.

I'm curious how they work please? Do they come on with cargo light switch? I have a camper shell and the cargo (cab mounted) light is obscured. I have an LED strip in ceiling of shell but, these would be really convenient too. Any details on how they are turned on/off and possibly duration if they come on with door open? Also, if my '20 is pre-wired, I don't have to remove tail light then?

 

If I can install these as "plug and play" and operate them from the cargo light switch...I'm totally down!

SUPAREE LED Bed Light Truck Bed Light for 2020 2021 Newer Tacoma Bed Lighting Kit Replacement PT857-35200

https://www.amazon.com/SUPAREE-Toyo...-PT857-35200/dp/B08ZSBV9G4?pd_rd_i=B08ZSBV9G4

 

The OEM bed lights work with the existing bed light switch on your dash, which you can set to off, on, or to come on when the door opens. 20 and up trucks are pre-wired with a connector behind the rear tail lights so it's all plug and play. Even if your cab mounted bed lights are covered by your cap, your new bed lights should still work off the same switch and be fine, assuming installation of your cap lights didn't mess with any part of that wiring.

 

You have a 20 OR so you should already have the dash switch and the connector behind the tail lights. Should be plug and play for you.