Bed Lighting Installed

[myoung84]

Finally got my LED strip lights in yesterday and got them installed last night!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150587778439

I fabbed up a bracket for the switch out of a strip of aluminum I had laying around. For power, I tapped into the 12V wire at the trailer plug and ran straight to the switch, then ran a single power wire to the passenger side light. Didn't use a relay since these draw almost no power at all. I grounded each side separately with a small self tapping screw hidden behind the bed rug. I used 14 gauge wire for everything, which is extreme overkill, but I had a couple of spools of it already. Something in the 18-22 gauge would be better. For light adhesion, I used some Loctite double sided tape that claims 100 lbs of holding power per roll and is good in the heat. This stuff is super sticky and the lights should never fall. They are brighter than I thought they would be and really light up the bed at night. They will come in handy when trying to tie down my ATV at night.

Here are some pics, I'll try to get a better night time pic this evening.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/2011-08-19073718.jpg
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/2011-08-19073654.jpg
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/IMG_0124.jpg
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/IMG_0125.jpg
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/IMG_0126.jpg
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/IMG_0131.jpg

[916Timmy]

Nice Morgan!

[myoung84]

Thanks!

[(S.M.R) 101]

Awesome job dude.

[Matt]

i've thought about doing this but i don't have a cover .. how well does it light up the center of the bed?

[ramthis9501]

Nice man! Looks good

[myoung84]

Thanks guys!

It lights up the center a little, but honestly you will get better lighting from your cargo light if you don't have a cover.

[OklaHemi]

those are awesome. one of those things i want to do just never really think about it until someone reminds me.

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

Very nice Morgan. I really want another hard cover but currently have a soft tri-fold...I might just do this for the hell of it.

[myoung84]

Here is a better night pic.

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i360/myoung84/2011-08-19210024.jpg

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

Dude that's perfect! I'm going to do it for sure now!

[myoung84]

Gotta love a cheap mod that actually works!

[OklaHemi]

that looks killer

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

Total invested?

[OklaHemi]

12.60 for the lights free shipping and he had the wire but if you didnt that still should be a mod under 20.00

[BMRbrnSNRbrd]

Hell yeah!

[myoung84]

Yep, $12.60 for the lights and $7 for the super sticky tape, everything else I had laying around. Worst case to buy everything (Wire, switch, bracket material) would be $30.

[OklaHemi]

could you just tie them into your cargo light switch? that is what i would do.

[myoung84]

I thought about that but I like having the switch in the bed so I don't have to push the button in the cab. Yes, I am lazy.

[OklaHemi]

Work smarter not harder