Extra LED Bed Lighting

[anthtony]

Greetings! Has anyone installed additional LED bed lighting by tapping into the factory bed lights? I'd like to install more lights but I'd rather not have a separate switch for on/off . I am hoping I can get the additional LED lights to power off of the existing LED bed lights). Any thoughts/help/experience would be appreciated!!

 

[LaRamie]

Maybe.. most cases I've seen people have made their own setup by tapping into cargo light wire or trailer power. Should work if you do it how you say, may run an inline fuse for the extra lights so it'll blow if something happens before it gets to truck harness.

 

[NorthEastRebel]

Do a search on bed lighting. You can tap the existing be light. I believe it's a white whire with tan tracer and under drive side door sill.

 

[anthtony]

Do a search on bed lighting. You can tap the existing be light. I believe it's a white whire with tan tracer and under drive side door sill.

Thanks....I have searched and searched and I can't find anything where someone has done this. I'll keep looking. The search eliminates the word "bed" because it is too short, which gives me pages and pages of results.

 

[anthtony]

Spent some time in the bed of the truck and figured it out. Remove the rear tail lights and it's really easy to get at the wiring for the current LED Bed Lights. I'll just tap into the supply right there. Easy-Peezy!

 

[Ickabod]

T

Thanks....I have searched and searched and I can't find anything where someone has done this. I'll keep looking. The search eliminates the word "bed" because it is too short, which gives me pages and pages of results.

Try this link
https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/mopar-bed-light-kit-tips.2890/#post-46399

 

[LaRamie]

Spent some time in the bed of the truck and figured it out. Remove the rear tail lights and it's really easy to get at the wiring for the current LED Bed Lights. I'll just tap into the supply right there. Easy-Peezy!

Yeah that will probably be best. I think you'll be the first I've seen add on to existing mopar lights. Post pics!

 

[anthtony]

Yeah that will probably be best. I think you'll be the first I've seen add on to existing mopar lights. Post pics!

Yup, I'm installing them tomorrow. I'll post pics!

 

[anthtony]

Man, this was such a fun and easy project. And CHEAP! $25 shipped via Amazon! Highly recommend if you want to really light up your bed!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZYBWJX9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[cjmst23]

Man, this was such a fun and easy project. And CHEAP! $25 shipped via Amazon! Highly recommend if you want to really light up your bed!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZYBWJX9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sweet... My next project

 

[NorthEastRebel]

Spent some time in the bed of the truck and figured it out. Remove the rear tail lights and it's really easy to get at the wiring for the current LED Bed Lights. I'll just tap into the supply right there. Easy-Peezy!

I'm confused, when you say "current LED Bed Lights" what are you referring to? The one over the cab or the optional ones that are mounted IN the bed? If it's the ones on the top of the cab I'm not clear on why that wire would be accessible via the tail light.

 

[anthtony]

I'm confused, when you say "current LED Bed Lights" what are you referring to? The one over the cab or the optional ones that are mounted IN the bed? If it's the ones on the top of the cab I'm not clear on why that wire would be accessible via the tail light.

I'm referring to the optional LED lights in the bed. They do a 'decent' job of lighting up the bed, but the Swing Cases I installed blocked 90% of the light from them. This lights up the entire bed perfectly.

 

[NorthEastRebel]

I'm referring to the optional LED lights in the bed. They do a 'decent' job of lighting up the bed, but the Swing Cases I installed blocked 90% of the light from them. This lights up the entire bed perfectly.

Understood, thank you. So my understanding is, in order to "activate" those lights, it requires dealer programming. So, can't just install them and go. From my reading, the other option would be to tap the feed to the cab top light which is the white with tan tracer I was referring to.

 

[anthtony]

Understood, thank you. So my understanding is, in order to "activate" those lights, it requires dealer programming. So, can't just install them and go. From my reading, the other option would be to tap the feed to the cab top light which is the white with tan tracer I was referring to.

Yes, That would make sense to me. My Limited came with the LED's standard in the bed.......if I had no LED's at all and wanted them, I wouldn't buy the OEM lights. I don't think they are very bright and do a mediocre job of lighting up the bed. If I were doing it from scratch (which is sounds like you are) I would opt to tap into the cargo light, as you mention. The only reason I wouldn't use a dedicated switch to a constant power source is because I know I'd eventually forget to turn the switch off, and I'd have a dead battery. Having the lights come on with the cab light works really well for what I'm using the lighting for.

 

[RAM_Blue]

Yes, That would make sense to me. My Limited came with the LED's standard in the bed.......if I had no LED's at all and wanted them, I wouldn't buy the OEM lights. I don't think they are very bright and do a mediocre job of lighting up the bed. If I were doing it from scratch (which is sounds like you are) I would opt to tap into the cargo light, as you mention. The only reason I wouldn't use a dedicated switch to a constant power source is because I know I'd eventually forget to turn the switch off, and I'd have a dead battery. Having the lights come on with the cab light works really well for what I'm using the lighting for.

Anthony, did you tap into the existing OEM Light switch in the bed to turn the additional lights on and off?

 

[lawlavigne]

Bumping an old thread but I'm really looking into doing the same with my bed. I have the Laramie but not the led bed light package. Although I do see the cover popouts where they would go. I've read that they have wiring there already for installing OEM lights but if rather light up the whole bed like someone posted above. Could those wires be tapped into for adding lights or should I just go through the cargo lighting?

 

[piening2150]

Bumping an old thread but I'm really looking into doing the same with my bed. I have the Laramie but not the led bed light package. Although I do see the cover popouts where they would go. I've read that they have wiring there already for installing OEM lights but if rather light up the whole bed like someone posted above. Could those wires be tapped into for adding lights or should I just go through the cargo lighting?

Lots of people have gone both ways. The factory LED option is rather expensive, you have to run wires, and need the dealer to enable them properly. Aftermarket LED strips can be added and tap into the factory cargo light wire. Here is a giant (and more current) thread on the subject-

2019 Bed Light Kit Install Question

I just got my 2019 1500 and the model I chose did not come with the LED bed lighting installed. My question is has anyone installed the bed light kit (P/N No 82215272AB) in their Ram? More specifically my question is in regards to the computer and wiring or the kit. 1. Is the truck pre-wired to...

5thgenrams.com

 

[sparky01]

Man, this was such a fun and easy project. And CHEAP! $25 shipped via Amazon! Highly recommend if you want to really light up your bed!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZYBWJX9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Forgive me if you already answered this question. Did you use the rocker switch provided in the kit or just tap into your factory cargo lights?

 

[OldMarine]

I just swapped out the cargo light bulbs on the cab roof for LED bulbs..$22.00..throws a lot more light, and together with the factory led bed lights, I feel I have plenty of lighting now.

 

[Snwjnky]

I have a tonneau cover and the factory installed bed lights also. This looks like a great and simple way to light things up inside. Thanks for the idea