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@Readerb and @613XLT - tapping into the truck's existing wiring harness was trivial (keep in mind I am no expert at this). I have a SuperCrew. I went in on the passenger side, rear door. Lift up the sill plate (from the interior). As a hint, try to lift straight up and not at an angle. Underneath that plate (on my 2019) is a wiring harness wrapped in orange plastic. Here is a pic, I had already removed some of the orange plastic wrapping the wiring harness.
SuperCrew, at rear passenger door.
In the above pic, I added the RED wire. I used an automotive "wire tap" to tap into the truck's existing "gray w/ purple stripe" wire. The gray w/ purple stripe is the wire that controls the truck's interior lights. I also added the black zip tie, to avoid noise of the wires banging around in that compartment.
I am very happy with tapping into this circuit. I love the quick option of turning on the lights via the key FOB.
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.
