Tapping into Bed Light Wiring for other LED Accessories?

Hey y'all! I've been using the search function for the past few days to find an answer, but most threads seem to fizzle out before a solution is found.

I'm hoping to run 4 LED light pods (1 in each wheel well) powered off of the factory bed light wiring. I understand that these LED pods are extremely low draw, so I'm not super worried on that front. I was more-so hoping to see if any of you guys knew a way (or have already tried) to power miscellaneous lights from said factory wiring? Any harness(es) that I would need?

The main appeal of going this route for me is being able to activate in conjunction with my 3rd brake light (and not have to run additional taps from the fuse box, mess with switches, etc.)

I do not have the bed lights installed, nor do I plan to, hopefully keeping me from overloading it.

Thank you all in advance. Hope you have a great weekend.

 

I have a similar question. I have an Alu-Cab contour canopy (camper shell) and I would like to tap into the factory bed lights for the camper shell lights, just not sure how to do it.

 

I've been looking around but there's no clear cut guides. People seem to say "figured it out" and then ditch the thread.

 

Maybe check out the vleds bed light kit? It plugs into the cargo/3rd brake light and might give you some ideas.

@Puppypunter and @caribe makaira are very knowledgeable with wiring. Maybe they could offer insight?

 

For a 2020+, this is really straight forward. There are wires behind the little rectangular panels toward the rear of the bed. They have a plug on them, and you can mate it to this:
Light gray: 6188-0098 (In Stock)<br /> Natural: 6188-0153 (In Stock)<br /> Black: 6188-0262 - Sumitomo | TS090-2P-10 - Corsa Technic | 2-Way Kit
You can also make a tee and add the female connector if you wanted to retain the option of adding bed lights there later: Light gray: 6189-0176 (in stock)<br /> Natural: 6189-0261<br /> Black: 6189-0429 (in stock)<br /> Dark gray: 6189-0580 - Sumitomo | TS090-2S-10 - Corsa Technic | 2-Way Kit
If you don't feel like crimping or anything, I can make you a set. Say $25 for the male end only, 2 of them, one for each side.

Not sure what year your truck is. But if it is 2020 or newer, the above will apply to you. If it is a 2019 or older, then it gets more complicated. As mentioned by @MGMDesertTaco the VLED kit is an option. You could also make a harness that utilizes the cargo switch to control it. So it will come on with the cargo light.
Don't hold me to this, but I believe these are the connectors the cargo switch uses:
6240-5196, <mark class="bg3">7283-1100</mark> - Yazaki | 090IIU-10S-2 - Corsa Technic | 10-Way Kit
6240-1143, <mark class="bg3">7282-1100</mark> - Yazaki | 090IIU-10P-2 - Corsa Technic | 10-Way Kit
It has been a bit since I've used those, so I could very well be wrong.
The issue with using the cargo switch is going to be that is a ground activation, meaning you could either tie the ground for the camper lights to it, or trigger a relay via ground (recommended). Personally, I like the relay option because it can carry a lot more amperage, and you can still ground all the lights it controls to the chassis. You can also get a little creative there and add a switch in the rear that will also trigger that relay. All of this BTW is how VLEDs does it. So you might reach out to them and see if they would see the harness from the kit of you didn't want the lights?
16-23 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB BED LIGHT KIT
But regardless, a 2019- is going to add some complication (and cost). And while I don't want it seem like I am just here to sale stuff, I can also make this set up. I'd have to price it out though.