Bed Lighting???
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 444
You can also turn the cargo lights from the headlight switch cluster, if you need to. When I need to turn the bed light in the dark (I have a tonneau cover), I can't see the switch, but I know where it is, so it takes me a second to find it by touch, and turn the lights on. Not a big deal to me, but guess others might be bothered more than I am 
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5 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 552
I purchased a 2019 F150 SXT package. As you know, this is just a dressed-up base model XL. It has some of the most popular features, but it's missing many that the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Limited have.
I have gotten a number of the things I wanted aftermarket, and I'm pretty happy with them. One thing that I see a blanked spot for is the two oval bed lights. I'm considering trying to find ones that fit the factory locations, but have a few questions
1. If your truck came with these lights, what do you think of them? Are they effective? Get in the way? Get blocked by cargo?
2. Have any of you installed them aftermarket, but in the same locations? How do they connect and switch on and off?
3. Would I do better to use rope lights under the upper lip of the bed? If any of you have done this, how do you like?
4. I'm getting a Leer truck cap. Would I be better to just make that well-illuminated?
Thanks in advance for any comments, opinions or experiences, good or bad!
-Tony
I have gotten a number of the things I wanted aftermarket, and I'm pretty happy with them. One thing that I see a blanked spot for is the two oval bed lights. I'm considering trying to find ones that fit the factory locations, but have a few questions
1. If your truck came with these lights, what do you think of them? Are they effective? Get in the way? Get blocked by cargo?
2. Have any of you installed them aftermarket, but in the same locations? How do they connect and switch on and off?
3. Would I do better to use rope lights under the upper lip of the bed? If any of you have done this, how do you like?
4. I'm getting a Leer truck cap. Would I be better to just make that well-illuminated?
Thanks in advance for any comments, opinions or experiences, good or bad!
-Tony
Last edited by Mike Up; Jan 27, 2020 at 12:14 AM.
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 353
Likes: 123
The OEM one's work fine, though more light is always better. I think an aftermarket LED strip is probably better and cheaper, I'd go that route if I didn't already have the OEM ones. On a side note, I bought my truck used and could never get the lights to turn on using the bed switch. Just found out recently they still worked fine with the interior switch, so that means I'll have to order a new bed switch and install when it's warmer out (pretty dang cold here in WI right now, lol)
Hirschjäger
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 260
Likes: 150
From: Philadelphia, PA
I'm looking to add lighting to my bed as well. While I like the idea of it working with the doors and cargo light button, when I hit my fob, the lights only stay on for about 20 seconds. I'd rather not have to go open doors and the like to have uninterrupted lights in the bed.
So, that leads to running a line to the battery, which isn't a deal-breaker. However, that runs the risk of leaving them on and draining said battery.
Is there a timer that can be wired in-line that will shut the lights off after, 15 minutes or so? Do they have timed switches? I did a quick search on Amazon for 12 volt timers, but came up with delay timers, which bring hinges on according to schedule.
Thanks.
Aqualung
So, that leads to running a line to the battery, which isn't a deal-breaker. However, that runs the risk of leaving them on and draining said battery.
Is there a timer that can be wired in-line that will shut the lights off after, 15 minutes or so? Do they have timed switches? I did a quick search on Amazon for 12 volt timers, but came up with delay timers, which bring hinges on according to schedule.
Thanks.
Aqualung
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 101
Likes: 46
From: Atlanta
I'm looking to add lighting to my bed as well. While I like the idea of it working with the doors and cargo light button, when I hit my fob, the lights only stay on for about 20 seconds. I'd rather not have to go open doors and the like to have uninterrupted lights in the bed.
So, that leads to running a line to the battery, which isn't a deal-breaker. However, that runs the risk of leaving them on and draining said battery.
Is there a timer that can be wired in-line that will shut the lights off after, 15 minutes or so? Do they have timed switches? I did a quick search on Amazon for 12 volt timers, but came up with delay timers, which bring hinges on according to schedule.
Thanks.
Aqualung
So, that leads to running a line to the battery, which isn't a deal-breaker. However, that runs the risk of leaving them on and draining said battery.
Is there a timer that can be wired in-line that will shut the lights off after, 15 minutes or so? Do they have timed switches? I did a quick search on Amazon for 12 volt timers, but came up with delay timers, which bring hinges on according to schedule.
Thanks.
Aqualung
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 537
Likes: 130
From: SE PA
I'm looking to add lighting to my bed as well. While I like the idea of it working with the doors and cargo light button, when I hit my fob, the lights only stay on for about 20 seconds. I'd rather not have to go open doors and the like to have uninterrupted lights in the bed.
So, that leads to running a line to the battery, which isn't a deal-breaker. However, that runs the risk of leaving them on and draining said battery.
Is there a timer that can be wired in-line that will shut the lights off after, 15 minutes or so? Do they have timed switches? I did a quick search on Amazon for 12 volt timers, but came up with delay timers, which bring hinges on according to schedule.
Thanks.
Aqualung
So, that leads to running a line to the battery, which isn't a deal-breaker. However, that runs the risk of leaving them on and draining said battery.
Is there a timer that can be wired in-line that will shut the lights off after, 15 minutes or so? Do they have timed switches? I did a quick search on Amazon for 12 volt timers, but came up with delay timers, which bring hinges on according to schedule.
Thanks.
Aqualung
By putting the jumper on S6, it would configure the relay to close when the button is pushed and start the countdown timer. Once the time expires, the relay will open and kill power to the lights. I'm not sure, but I believe that the button in the bed is a momentary button and not a true on-off switch.
Edit: Note that the linked relay is not intended to be exposed to weather. You would need to either put it in an enclosure or install it inside the cab.
Hirschjäger
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 260
Likes: 150
From: Philadelphia, PA
I'm thinking I'm going to run it to the cargo light wire in the passenger floor sill. Can anyone tell me which wires they are on a 2018 XLT Super Crew? The posted video says they may be different than that of the Raptor on which he was working.
Thanks.
Aqualung
Hirschjäger
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 260
Likes: 150
From: Philadelphia, PA
You could use a delay timer relay to shut the power off to the lights. Something like this should work: delay timer relay
By putting the jumper on S6, it would configure the relay to close when the button is pushed and start the countdown timer. Once the time expires, the relay will open and kill power to the lights. I'm not sure, but I believe that the button in the bed is a momentary button and not a true on-off switch.
Edit: Note that the linked relay is not intended to be exposed to weather. You would need to either put it in an enclosure or install it inside the cab.
By putting the jumper on S6, it would configure the relay to close when the button is pushed and start the countdown timer. Once the time expires, the relay will open and kill power to the lights. I'm not sure, but I believe that the button in the bed is a momentary button and not a true on-off switch.
Edit: Note that the linked relay is not intended to be exposed to weather. You would need to either put it in an enclosure or install it inside the cab.
Thanks, I was thinking of what you were describing and was looking at those relays.
Thanks for the reply.
Aqualung
Thread Starter
5 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 223
Likes: 119
From: Virginia, USA
I just watched this video. Install doesn't seem too bad, and I like some of his tips, like using the existing holes for everything.
I like the magnetic switch idea, except I would put mine on my Leer top, not the tailgate. That, or I would delete the magnetic switch and have it controlled only by the push switch. Not sure I like having the switch on the ground leg, though!
I like the magnetic switch idea, except I would put mine on my Leer top, not the tailgate. That, or I would delete the magnetic switch and have it controlled only by the push switch. Not sure I like having the switch on the ground leg, though!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 537
Likes: 130
From: SE PA
I just watched this video. Install doesn't seem too bad, and I like some of his tips, like using the existing holes for everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77t1UW4Qc7g
I like the magnetic switch idea, except I would put mine on my Leer top, not the tailgate. That, or I would delete the magnetic switch and have it controlled only by the push switch. Not sure I like having the switch on the ground leg, though!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77t1UW4Qc7g
I like the magnetic switch idea, except I would put mine on my Leer top, not the tailgate. That, or I would delete the magnetic switch and have it controlled only by the push switch. Not sure I like having the switch on the ground leg, though!