I am wanting to customize my truck bed in various ways, including lighting up the bed. I am looking for suggestions, opinions and potholes to avoid.

So please chime in, as this is what I am thinking:

1. My bed has blank plates where the factory LEDs would normally go. I plan to replace the driver-side (only) blank plate with a waterproof automotive grade LED.
2. I plan to tap into the cab interior lights, at the passenger rear door rocker. Thus this cargo light would illuminate when the doors are open, etc.
3. I will machine a plastic mounting plate (to replace the factory blank).
...I can do all of the above for about $10 (not counting the wiring).

Questions:
1. Am I thinking correctly that when I tap my unlock keyFOB this cargo light would also illuminate briefly (assuming I tap into the gray/purple wire)? That seems handy for quick bed access.

2. Is it a mistake to only place LEDs on the driver's side? In the future I plan to add a motorized vertically lifting toolbox on the passenger side of the bed that will block the passenger-side LED (when in the nested position).

3. Should I add a switch also? I am thinking a switch would allow me to "disable" the cargo bed LED light. Dunno exactly what I would use this for, but I have ample mounting space on my custom mounting plate (pic below, switch would go in the bottom hole).

4. NOTE: My bed has a factory blank plate where the cargo bed switch would normally go. I do not want to add a switch there, I plan to place an electrical outlet with an inverter in that location. I also want to limit any penetrations of the bed, except as a last resort.

5. Would it be overkill to WiFi activate the cargo bed light? I plan to add a WiFi module (anyway) to control the motorized bed components (ie toolbox mentioned above). I would create a 3-way switch on the PCB (ie allow the LEDs be turned on via the cab interior lights, or my iPhone). Since I custom build my PCBs, I'm fairly confident I can make it fit inside the passenger rear rocker panel where it will be protected from the elements.

6. Any recommendations where I should tap into a ground? I noticed 2 at the rear frame. Does that make the most sense?

7. Any ideas I am missing?

My truck: 2019 F150 STX in velocity blue. I have a Gator retractable tonneau cover that blocks the factory cargo bed light (shared with the third brake light on the top of the rear cab).

I welcome any comments, concerns etc...please don't let me make a mistake on my new truck.

Finally, here is a pic of the mounting plates I am thinking about. The one on the left includes the switch, the one on the right does not (they are interchangeable). And yes the rear of the plates are intentionally different than the factory blanks...as these will provide a symbiotic relationship to strengthen the bed holes, provide add'l strength of pushing a button, etc.




Thanks,
Steve

 

cool project and yes #5 is too much, unless all the other lights go with it..?
Would running a light to the passenger side be much more work? How long until you'll need it for the motorized tool box?

 

Thanks @Apdl I appreciate your input. I will omit the WiFi for now (my only reasoning was adding it was $4 and I was trying to find a use for it LOL. I am also taking your advice and running a wire to the other side of the bed. I may not hook it up yet, but it will be wired - your point is well taken it was trivial to run the extra wire (good thinking). I doubt I will get to the motorized box until (guessing) January.

As far as an update, I was able to create the plate and light for cheaper than I thought. Turned out to be about $3 with the switch and $2 without the switch, pic below. If you have access to a 3D printer, let me know I'll share the plate CAD file. The light is extremely bright and floods the entire bed (altho I am running it off a hand-held battery temporarily until I can wire it up this weekend).

I created them in mat-black, but I welcome ideas if you think I should paint them to match the bed.

I am nearing retirement and have plenty of time on my hands,
Steve

 

Dang!

Lets see a pic of it lit up!!

 

@Apdl I had to wait for it to get dark outside so here it is illuminated (and without the flash on my phone). Kudos to the Ford engineers, the angle of the blank plate is perfect.

 

Well done!! You gotta fell good about this!
this is something I very much want to do, just not frustrated enough to do anything about it yet hahah

 

It was much easier than I anticipated. @Apdl I would recommend adding to your truck. You could even drill the existing blank plate that is provided with the truck, and just add this light:


...the total cost would be ~ $1.50 (plus wire). Tapping into the interior cab lights was equality trivial.

If you need a custom mounting plate w/ switch, I would happily provide you one for helping (I appreciate your thoughts on the topic),
Steve

 

Steve that is a really nice offer!!
I like your idea of using the block off plate but now I am thinking of running some LED strips the length of each side similar to the F150 LEDS kit
Stupid todo list on this truck keeps growing because of yall

 

Do you have a pic of where you tapped the wires? Im looking to tap my cargo light wire on my truck for bed lighting as well.

 

@energySteve

I’m also curious as to where you tapped these lights. I’m attempting to add puddle lamps and the unlock with keyfob wire would be perfect for me