Ask DS truck bed lights

[matador1]

Would like to add something to light up bed when loading/unloading dogs, equipment etc. looked on Amazon and found everything from light strips powered by 3 AA batteries to the 4 light sets that wife directly to your truck. Anyone have any suggestions and if you did direct wire how hard is that. Not electronically inclined.

[4dawgma]

Mine came factory installed, at the time I thought it was stupid. Now, I love them. I wouldn't want a battery operated system, too many problems down the road. What year, make and model are we talking about? Also wouldn't just let any ding dong go cutting into wiring harness on new vehicles. Have a Sonic that has been here at least a month, that some RV store cut into to rig some tow lights onto that nobody seems to want to pay to fix, so here it sits. I do a lot of business with Rick's Pro Truck, if there is a solution, they could handle it. They do all my light bar stuff and no complaints.

[DUCKAHOLIC]

Get the ones that wire to the truck...that's what I did. Don't get the 4 light st off of amazon, go to autozone and get the LED strips you will like them much better

[DUCKAHOLIC]

Get the ones that wire to the truck...that's what I did. Don't get the 4 light st off of amazon, go to autozone and get the LED strips you will like them much better

[Wildfowler]

Wiring is not too hard. Just pull a fuse from your side panel that powers something that is always on, insert the stripped end of a 12 volt wire into the non-hot side of the fuse slot and replace fuse.

Now you've got a hot wire to run back to your light and it's protected from overload by that fuse. Put a switch somewhere convenient to you in that wire, and run a second ground wire and you're home free.

[Seymore]

I attached a ram mount ball to tool box and then mount a ram flood light to that. I power with a 7 to 4 or 5 pin adapter that also has a 12 volt outlet.

[Deadeye]

I plan on doing this soon. Check out this thread on Texas Bowhunter, you'll see how the majority of folks are doing it.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=337917

I like adding the rocker switch under the bedrail, some folks are using a contact switch when tailgate is open, lights turn on. Let me know if/when you get this done, would like to see the pics. I'll do the same.

And btw, happy belated birthday Matador!

Dead

[edub20]

I plan on doing this soon. Check out this thread on Texas Bowhunter, you'll see how the majority of folks are doing it.

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=337917

I like adding the rocker switch under the bedrail, some folks are using a contact switch when tailgate is open, lights turn on. Let me know if/when you get this done, would like to see the pics. I'll do the same.

And btw, happy belated birthday Matador!

Dead

That a nice idea. I like that hidden look.

[rjohnson]

Just ordered the stuff to install them in my truck. Already had red ones in my Nautique and they were pretty sweet in there.

[matador1]

Just ordered the stuff to install them in my truck. Already had red ones in my Nautique and they were pretty sweet in there.

Which ones did you order?

[rjohnson]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQV6U7Q?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Plan on using silicone glue to hold them. In my experience the adhesive back doesn't stick long unless it's a smooth surface which I don't have in the truck or boat.

[edub20]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQV6U7Q?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Plan on using silicone glue to hold them. In my experience the adhesive back doesn't stick long unless it's a smooth surface which I don't have in the truck or boat.

Or you could use some of the industrial spray on adhesive, just make sure if using that to wear some gloves otherwise you'll be picking adhesive off for days.

[rjohnson]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQV6U7Q?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Plan on using silicone glue to hold them. In my experience the adhesive back doesn't stick long unless it's a smooth surface which I don't have in the truck or boat.

Or you could use some of the industrial spray on adhesive, just make sure if using that to wear some gloves otherwise you'll be picking adhesive off for days.

Gloves will be worn either way. Plan on getting the silicone glue stuff so I can use it on the lights already in my boat too. They are pulling loose on the ends where the wires connect and a few other places too. Don't really want to pull them all the way out and redo.

[teul2]

I have a couple of short pieces like Ronnie linked, but from auto zone or discount auto parts. I have them under the bed rail in the back, and glued to the inside of my tool box lid. All wired to a relayed switch in the cab.

[rjohnson]

I have a couple of short pieces like Ronnie linked, but from auto zone or discount auto parts. I have them under the bed rail in the back, and glued to the inside of my tool box lid. All wired to a relayed switch in the cab.

Did you put them on a constant hot lead or accessory hot lead?