Need wiring/electrical advice.

Hello guys, need some advice.

I recently installed a bed rack that came with 2 pod lights in the back.

I would like for them to work when I use reverse, and also would like a switch so I can turn them on whenever I need. The switch can be in the bed, I don’t really care. Would be cool if it was in the cab if it’s not too much work. I would also need to be able to disconnect the wires when I need to remove my bed rack.

Im a total noob when it comes to wiring, so I’m just wondering if it’s even a good idea to attempt it myself? I really don’t wanna screw anything up, these trucks seem to be very sensitive with aftermarket electronics. I did install 2WD low mod myself, but it was super easy.

Thanks guys.


Here are some pics:

 

That’s a bit of wiring work that basically if you have to ask you shouldn’t attempt. I don’t think wiring them to the reverse lights would be the best idea, and likely illegal since you’d be blinding everyone every time you back out of a parking spot. I don’t think it would be very difficult to wire a switch in the cab for them, then you could just turn them on when you reverse as needed.

 

Hmm yes that sounds like a much better idea, thanks.

I did think that I might be blinding people at times. I’ll definitely go with the switch in the cab then. I have one more empty slot under my hvac controls.

Any tips or advice on the wiring?

 

Simple. Set up a relay.

Put the power and the lights on the NO (normally open) contacts. Run the power from the reverse lights to the signal side of the relay. Now, when the reverse lights come on so will your auxiliary lights. You could also wire a switch onto the signal side of the relay. May need a couple of diodes to prevent back feed from the reverse lights to the switch and the switch to the reverse lights.

This would effectively give you 2 sources on the signal side of the relay.

There is likely a more simple way, but this is all my mind can come up with at the moment. Perhaps one of the TW electric gurus knows a simpler path.......

 

Thanks for the advice, but I have decided to just install a switch in cab, I don’t want to be blinding people. @Tacoma091919 is right.

I won’t need to use those lights very often to be honest.

Installing 1 switch in the cab sounds way easier and will work perfectly for me.

 

You need a 5-pin relay. Power coming from your dash switch goes to pin 86, ground goes to pin 85, power from your factory reverse lights goes to pin 87a, power from your battery goes to pin 87, the positive lead to your new lights goes to pin 30.

 

There are kits that include the wire harness, relay, switch etc. I’d go that direction, get a switch and harness with two leads. I installed ditch lights and it’s exactly the same you will just have more wire going to the rear lights as they are farther from the battery and switch. Battery terminal connections to a relay, to the lights and switch. There will be instructions you will just need to add wire more than likely due to the distance compared to where ditch lights go. Wire to the switch through firewall, wire to lights tucked away on frame then tot he lights (somewhere).

 

Thanks for the replies guys, I’ll have a look into those kits.

 

• Spend a few bucks and get Weatherpack 2 Pin connectors. Last I checked you can get the genuine Delphi Weatherpack 2 pin male and female connectors for 20 or 30 bucks for a pack of 10.
• Use heat shrink if needed and wire sleeving /expandable shroud wherever your wires are exposed to the elements
• Use grip ties or zip ties or self tappers and steel suspension clamps to secure the wires to the rack

Those are my recommendations. The others have got you covered with the advice on single pull dual throw relays. You want your one switch to turn on and off two circuits so wire both lights to one single pull dual throw relay then wire the switch to the relay. Easy peasy. A lot of how to vids on YT.

 

@daveeasa and I can build you something.

 

I just did exactly this with my new DD SSC2 backlit flood lights. Check with @memario1214 and he can probably set you up with a ready made harness like the one I got. Plug n Play all the way from back to front with switch included for the cab. I bought a double OEM style switch for my Meso panel but it's not quite what the switch does you'll get in the harness kit. That was my mistake. Mine come on in reverse and I can turn them on anytime. They are backlit red anytime the lights are on. Changing the switch made it so when I switch them on anytime, my reverse lights go on, too. I had to combine 2 leads to make it work. There are no 3 posit OEM style switches that I can find. Not CH4x4 or AOB.

Edit: I see Kyle chimed in....good option.

@kmorgan3 Could you suggest a work around for my switch issue? (if any of that makes sense!)

 

I might first decide, do you desire chase lights, cargo lights, camping/flood lights or "help me drive backwards in the dark" lights?

The cargo circuit might not be the dumbest option unless you really do want that auto-on business in reverse? I think cargo works fine while driving (anyone fact check me?) Since the bed rack blocks the squid launcher chmsl cargo light, these are mostly in the same general path, just further back.

If it's mostly for gear schlepping and camping, you might actually want a switch accessible from outside and battery powered vs ignition switched.

Switch-Pros is pretty good at this type of stuff.

 

Diodes or get one of the SPDT switches from MESO or anytimebackupcamera.

 

Meso has one? I'm go look for it. The one that came with the harness is a little thing that I stuck in an OEM switch blank but it's not labeled or backlit, that's why I was hoping to get a cool OEM style small model.

 

It just has a puddle light image on it if you can live with that. Probably a step up from the one from anytimebackupcamera that has a camera on it . I may or may not be ordering some generic ones (with simple labels on them) for people to use in Q2.

 

I guess my advice is if you plan on getting more lighting then a swich pro or anither brand but something similar will help with management of cables buttons and wiring. With that said, I installed heretic pods to the rear of my bed rack. I bought a caliraised wire harness and ran it from my battery and mounted it with their relay holder. Ran both connectors through my front left wheel fender. Then under the truck and tucked and ziptied to the frame. Used heat shrink and cable plastic protector tubing. Ran up between my bed and cabin then ziptied ect. The wire harness is a pre built option but the previous messages are a diy option. With this option you will have to still cut the wire harness and purchase extra wiring to extend the length of it so it can reach the rear of your truck.

if you do this, the caliraised harness uses DT connectors so u can buy some of those to fit their male side or just cut them off and use ur own connectors. Very simple crimping and heat shrinking or soldering up to you.


button is routed through firewall cable grommet. I went with a ch4x4 on/off toyota push switch “rear lights blue color”.

you can install it into the left button panel on side of steering wheel but for my personal needs i put them here

 

First off, let me state the obvious. You need a bed mat to keep those drink cans from rolling all around your truck bed, lol.

 

Hey DevilDog, This is no big deal, but didn't want it to slip past ya.
I thought at first it was a typo, but it happened twice, so...
It might also be auto-correct...
But just wanted to say, the switches & relays are single POLE, double throw. (not pull)
Like I said, no big deal, I'm just being "technical".
S/Fi

 

Words matter. I stand corrected. Thanks much - appreciated and apologies for the oversight.

 

Ha!

I actually prefer not having a bed mat. I use my bed for moving items quite a bit, so makes it slide in and out much easier.