I am creating a list of mods for my incoming 2012 F150 HD that is coming in tomorrow.

Bed lights is one of them and I couldn't find much info (not sure if I was looking in the right places).

I would like to install bed lights have them come on three ways - when I unlock the truck, tailgate is open, and via aux switch.

What have you guys done with yours and where did you get the set up? I see F150Leds sells one but seems like a lot of money for 2 LED stripes? If you have one from them, let me know what you think.

I love pictures so please post them. Thanks!

 

Are you talking about just replacing the existing bed lights with LED's and then adding a switch to manually control them?

I just replaced mine tonight, 921 'bulbs'.

 

I'm assuming he's talking about LED lights inside the bed, and not the 'cargo' lamp light that you're referring to.

Tons of options out there, either search here or Google. I'd do the work for you but what fun is that?... ok, here's a bone for you, compliments of ChrisFix one of my favorite YouTubers.

 

it's not hard to do and can be done quite cheaply. i did mine for under $25 total following this thread:

https://www.f150forum.com/f83/led-be...lation-386623/

mine are wired to come on when all the other lights come on (locked/unlocked, door open, etc) however the toggle switch is the "master" switch in that they won't work unless it is turned on. did it this way so i never have to worry about leaving them on and running down the battery.

 

@[F2C]MaDMaXX No - I am talking about the bed, not those puddle lights although that does look a lot better.

@alborn98 I appreciate the video!

@2013_XLT I never saw/found that thread so thank you for that. Good point about putting it on the master switch so you don't have to worry about draining your battery. Will keep that in mind. Do you have the wiring diagram when you connected yours to come on automatically with others?

 

i'll have to look on here later when i have more time for the thread i found the info in. mine were wired into one of the wires in the sill channel that i believe was specific color-wise by year or generation.

-edit-

looking back i tapped into the 7-pin trailer plug as depicted in the link i posted.

 

Thank you for letting me know. This is something I will check into down the road.

Aren't there any bed/tonneau covers that come with them? I have never seen them but not sure if there is such thing?

 

Essentially, you need three "triggers" for your bed lights leading to the "power" or "+" wire of the said lights. You probably need a diode to prevent the lights/accessories downstream of some of the triggers from inadvertently being powered by the other triggers.

1. For unlock trigger, you should tap into the dome/puddle light circuit (diode needed)
2. For tailgate open, you need to install a switch at the tailgate: either a push button, normally closed (on when switch is not depressed) mounted somewhere along the perimeter of the edge of the bed end facing the tailgate that is depressed by the tailgate when closed, or, like what I did, a reliable mercury tilt switch mounted inside the tailgate
3. Via aux switch I'm sure you're savvy enough to figure out how to install one of those.

 

i have never seen one come with lights but i suppose there may be one out there.