Just looking for some advice on where the best place to splice in some wires for power in the bed to run some LED lights. I think that I just want to put a switch by the tailgate, so anyone got any info, help will be much appreciated.

 

Anybody?

 

Tap into your tail lights.

 

There are a lot of threads on this... If you have the tow package, you can put in the fuse and relay and then there is power at the tailgate. Search the forum for the wiring diagrams.

 

Yep...Tow plug

 

Depends on when you want to use the lights. If you want to be like me and use the lights when you don't have your keys, can't remember your door unlock code, and the truck is locked, you have no choice but to run a fused wire from the battery. You can use the tail lights if you want to use the lights temporarily while the lights are on, from either turning the lights on from inside, or having them turn on as part of the lights turning on when unlocking the truck (illuminated entry?).

 

I plan on tapping into the trailer wiring. There are kits out there, extang has an led one for $90 but I know I can get some led strips and a switch and wire up my own cheaper. I want to do 2 36" strips, one on each side and put the switch back by the tailgate so when I open it I can flip it. I have also toyed with the idea of using a pin or contact switch so when I open my tailgate the light comes on automatically.

 

Thanks for the help. Well I have been working for the last 3 days on a homemade tool box ( I will start a thread to show it off when I am finished). I have mounted 2 lights with 10LED's each and need power for them.

I cannot decide weather I want to have a switch inside the cab or weather I want to just have a switch under the bed rail near the tailgate. Part of me looks at it like if I need the lights chances are I will be at the bed of the truck so a switch by the tailgate would work and be the easy way to do it. But, I will need 2 more switches inside the cab for another project I am working on (traction control off and 2wd e-locker). So if I am going to have switches somewhere inside for that I might as well just do 4 switches at the same time, 1 for my bed lights and one extra for some thing down the road. I just don't no where I even want to put the switches in the cab. It must be a clean factory look if I am going to have them in the cab and thinking about it all makes my head hurt. If I have the switch in the cab the power would only need to be on with the key, if I put the switch in the bed I would need power all the time with no key.

So. what are you opinions? Thanks again

 

I hooked up some bed lights running a fused line off the battery down along the frame and up behind a tail light into the bed. I put my switch back by the tailgate so it was right there when I wanted light. I thought about using a switch that came on when the gate was open but didn't because sometime I haul stuff that requires it to be open and didn't want the lights left on at night while driving around.
My buddy hooked up his switch in the cab. I give him crap for it because every time he wants light in the bed he has to walk up to the cab to turn it on and then back up to turn them off. Obviously it's your truck and your choice.

 

Ahh good point about tailgate down for hauling ape!