LED bed lighting install w/ ARE Z Series cap/topper (PICS)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 387
From: Roanoke, VA
LED bed lighting install w/ ARE Z Series cap/topper (PICS)
I installed an ARE Series cap a month or so ago on my 2011 FX4. I was impressed with the cap, but the one thing that lacked was the pathetic 12v light they put in there. Im still amazed with the technology out today that a company would still install these anemic pieces of crap in such a nice product. All to save a dollar I imagine.
Anyways, I knew I wanted better light and that LED's were the way to go. I did some research and found the product I needed. I ended up getting 3 LED light bars, (1) 12" and (2) 24" LED light bars. The 12" is mounted above the rear lift gate window and the 24's are above either side window.
I used these found on superbrightleds.com:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...SMD.htm#photos
I was super impressed with the quality and light output. Weather proof and no need for resistors, ready to be wired in. A great product. I used the clips that are availabe to purchase to mount the lights to the cap. I simply removed and reinstalled the screws holding the window in place.
I did my best to keep the install clean and neat. I weatherproofed all the connections and hid the wiring as best I could. The switch is always hot so I can have power with the key off. All said and done I have around $100 in this including the lights and some misc. parts (wire loom, wire, etc).
Any comments and critique are welcome, be happy to answer any questions as well.
On to some pics:
12" above gate:
24" above side window:
light on in day:
Wiring hidden behind window seal and with loom:
Wiring to weather proof rocker switch:
On at night:
Anyways, I knew I wanted better light and that LED's were the way to go. I did some research and found the product I needed. I ended up getting 3 LED light bars, (1) 12" and (2) 24" LED light bars. The 12" is mounted above the rear lift gate window and the 24's are above either side window.
I used these found on superbrightleds.com:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...SMD.htm#photos
I was super impressed with the quality and light output. Weather proof and no need for resistors, ready to be wired in. A great product. I used the clips that are availabe to purchase to mount the lights to the cap. I simply removed and reinstalled the screws holding the window in place.
I did my best to keep the install clean and neat. I weatherproofed all the connections and hid the wiring as best I could. The switch is always hot so I can have power with the key off. All said and done I have around $100 in this including the lights and some misc. parts (wire loom, wire, etc).
Any comments and critique are welcome, be happy to answer any questions as well.
On to some pics:
12" above gate:
24" above side window:
light on in day:
Wiring hidden behind window seal and with loom:
Wiring to weather proof rocker switch:
On at night:
Last edited by BucketMan; Oct 27, 2011 at 10:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 387
From: Roanoke, VA
Well, I re-used the power from the original light install by ARE. They ran it from the power supply connection (bolt with red cable) to the fuse block in the front of the engine compartment.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 32
From: Atlanta, GA
Good Show! The install is well-placed, neat and professional! And the bars do a better job than a simple dome cluster (which is a cheap option), so you really did your homework with this one!
