Added Bedlights to actually light the bed up

[DARKNHT]

I was pretty well let down by the OEM bed lighting accessory for a few reasons; only one end of the bed is lit, poor output, etc….

So I purchased a 48” OPT led strip set, deleted the red/yellow wires from the strips. Same kit as we are using to light up the OEM power steps just in the 48” length vs the 60” used for steps.

Removed the RamBoxes

Drilled a .250” hole in the Bed Cargo management rail, used nylon mesh loom, ran the harness and tied into the OEM LED lamp.

Much better now!

 

[MikeyHo808]

Nice work. And I agree, especially for the price, you’d think they’d provide better lighting. Good job.

 

[DARKNHT]

Nice work. And I agree, especially for the price, you’d think they’d provide better lighting. Good job.

Thanks! Ya…. I mean not that the OEM light pods are great, but only two at the opening?!

 

[mikeru82]

What are you doing in there that you need that much light?

JK...Nice job on the install! How difficult was it to remove/reinstall the rambox bins?

 

[DARKNHT]

What are you doing in there that you need that much light?

JK...Nice job on the install! How difficult was it to remove/reinstall the rambox bins?

Hahah, I just remember opening the tailgate for the first time at night with the tonneau on and was like, Uhhhhh surely that's not all the light? LOL...

Ram Box Bins are super easy to remove, I was actually impressed.

You have one main connector you need to undo/disconnect from under the truck. Then you just remove the roughly (10) 8MM bolts and lift out. Paying attention to the striker in the middle of the box that it clears on removal/entry of the assembly.

 

[mikeru82]

Hahah, I just remember opening the tailgate for the first time at night with the tonneau on and was like, Uhhhhh surely that's not all the light? LOL...

Ram Box Bins are super easy to remove, I was actually impressed.

You have one main connector you need to undo/disconnect from under the truck. Then you just remove the roughly (10) 8MM bolts and lift out. Paying attention to the striker in the middle of the box that it clears on removal/entry of the assembly.

Edit: Nevermind, please disregard. I had a brain fart question.

 

[Bigbags85]

Looks Great! I've debated doing this to put an outlet in the bed.

 

[Kinalyx]

Just did the same thing recently with some $25 led strips from amazon, worked out great.

Im glad i see that you can "delete" certain wires from the OPT running board lights tho. I really like the thought of using them for a bit of an underglow turn signal and lighting the running boards when the door opens, but i hate the look of them just being on all of the time while driving.

 

[DARKNHT]

Just did the same thing recently with some $25 led strips from amazon, worked out great.

Im glad i see that you can "delete" certain wires from the OPT running board lights tho. I really like the thought of using them for a bit of an underglow turn signal and lighting the running boards when the door opens, but i hate the look of them just being on all of the time while driving.

I did the same thing and only used the white and ground and tied it to only come in with the board deployed. 68” length

 

[Kinalyx]

I did the same thing and only used the white and ground and tied it to only come in with the board deployed. 68” length View attachment 131192

Once the running board closes, im assuming the light stays on for an extra second or 2? How much light can be seen after closing....trying to figure out if its worth it to add this setup to the turn signals

 

[DARKNHT]

Once the running board closes, im assuming the light stays on for an extra second or 2? How much light can be seen after closing....trying to figure out if its worth it to add this setup to the turn signals

I used Limit Switches (one per running board) to control the power. So soon as the board moves downward the arm on the switch completes the circuit, sends 12VDC to the light, soon as the step raises and hits the closed position it trips the arm breaking the circuit cutting the 12VDC to the light. So there is zero light on when the Step is up, as you need to adjust the arm persay at the 90% travel to stored so by the time the step is 100% up the power is broken on the circuit by the limit switch's arm. To clarify getting in/out of the truck you 100% have light, and are never in a moment of no light. Soon as the step starts to travel down the circuit is made and the light comes on.

 

[titan3636]

I did the same thing and only used the white and ground and tied it to only come in with the board deployed. 68” length View attachment 131192

Looks great. Can you post where / how you installed the limit switches? And where you picked up power for the lights? Want to add this to mine.