Nilight LED Bed Light Strip Install

[mx5red]

I could not find a post actually showing how people have wired their bed lights, so here’s mine.
I couldn’t find an easier place to run wires in to the bed than through where the stock lights are, and it’s easy to splice into power with the lights removed, so that’s where I went.
However, it was not so easy to get the lights out.
They have a foam gasket around them and push tabs top and bottom. I found this pic showing someone pushing in the tab to release the light.

After dicking around for an hour struggling and worrying about breaking the lights I finally just busted ‘em out and broke the top tab on. I don’t know how people get these out without breaking the tabs.

Once they were out I spliced in the power wires for the bed light kit. Passenger side + beige, passenger side + red.

You can use posi-taps but I soldered ‘em.
I then ground out little notches for the wires with my dremel.

Then I used black RTV to glue/seal the lights back on.

Voila! Another 7 hour project that should’ve taken 30mins.

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[JRobes]

Does the kit advertise how much power those lights use? I for one would be a bit worried about those lights pulling way too much amperage than what that bed light circuit was designed for.

 

[mx5red]

Does the kit advertise how much power those lights use? I for one would be a bit worried about those lights pulling way too much amperage than what that bed light circuit was designed for.

On Amazon somebody said “ tested these tonight (2, 5' strip lights) connected to a 12 volt battery on a 6amp float charger, at 14 volts they are pulling about 2.6amps (36.4 watts) on my harbor freight meter.”

google says the 5050 LED draws 20mA, there are 90 on each 60” strip. So sounds like those measurements are in the right ballpark.

The OEM wiring is 18g.
I haven’t had any fires (yet).?‍

 

[mx5red]

@arskemp where did you run the wires for your lights?

 

[arskemp]

@arskemp where did you run the wires for your lights?

Hopefully these photos are clear enough. I'm using a small hole in the upper corner of the bed. It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure I had to cut the head off the connector and then resolder/shrink wrap it back on after pulling the wire through. Did the same on both sides.

 

[mx5red]

Hopefully these photos are clear enough. I'm using a small hole in the upper corner of the bed. It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure I had to cut the head off the connector and then resolder/shrink wrap it back on after pulling the wire through. Did the same on both sides.

Nicely done, sir

 

[Jayjr1121]

I just did mine last night. Took 30 mins to do it. Like the initial pic shows, I used a small flat head screwdriver to pick it and slightly turned it to remove the light fixture. It came out perfectly. Then I tapped into the existing light wires and here is the end result. It is easier than I thought.

 

[mx5red]

I just did mine last night. Took 30 mins to do it. Like the initial pic shows, I used a small flat head screwdriver to pick it and slightly turned it to remove the light fixture. It came out perfectly. Then I tapped into the existing light wires and here is the end result. It is easier than I thought.

I’m glad I got to show you how not to fuck it up?

 

[Jayjr1121]

I’m glad I got to show you how not to fuck it up?

haha yes, for sure. I know you said yours was tough to get it out but once i felt the slight click of the little tab, it came out smoothly. Thanks for your input.

 

[amoyer_01]

I just did mine last night. Took 30 mins to do it. Like the initial pic shows, I used a small flat head screwdriver to pick it and slightly turned it to remove the light fixture. It came out perfectly. Then I tapped into the existing light wires and here is the end result. It is easier than I thought.

If you pry from the bottom and push the entire light up it will also come out without breaking the top tab. I did this and added a strip of white LEDs on either side I am using for a set of custom tail lights. I put the LEDs on the underside of my strut channel (diy trail rail), this make a big difference when you have a retractable bed cover.

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