Switche and Bed light upgrade?

[danimal2000]

I'm often loading or unloading in the dark, either early morning or late evening, in a poorly lit alley. The bed lights are kinda trash so I'm looking to upgrade. LED strips would be fine, or "tubes" really either one if it can mount under the trail rails

But, need a switch, and not timing out in 15 seconds or whatever weak sauce the stock lights do. So i want it switchable from the bed, and some kind of built in off timer (15min maybe) so I don't accidentally leave them on for hours and kill the battery.

Any recommendations or photos of a similar mod?

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[RubiNewbCB]

OVS...
https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/...mer-and-adaptor-for-roof-top-tent-and-awning/

Kingpin...
https://kingpinequipped.com/

 

[jav_eee]

water resistant toggle with a water resistant rubber cover, wired direct to the battery. I also have a switch on the dash but I wanted one in the bed so I didn’t have to go in the cab if I needed some light.

Hard to forget these are on:

 

[S3th136]

I have a softopper on too but added some led strips on top and then also some cheap rock lights under the bed sides. I wired a sae plug to the back fill panel in the bed. That way I can use anything that would use that connector.

 

[IamPro2A]

I certainly wouldn't say it's the sole reason to buy a Tazer, but if you already have one, it will do exactly what you want as far as switching the bed lights. Just wire your led light strips to the oem bed lights.

 

[nas4a]

I added THESE tied into the existing bed light wiring. I had to upgrade the tape to 3M tape but I stuck them under the rails of my BAK X4S tonneau. They're plenty bright to light up the bed. Doesn't solve your switching issue, but just wanted to recommend the lights. Cheap too.

 

[danimal2000]

I certainly wouldn't say it's the sole reason to buy a Tazer, but if you already have one, it will do exactly what you want as far as switching the bed lights. Just wire your led light strips to the oem bed lights.

Very interesting wasn't aware of that option thank you

 

[danimal2000]

water resistant toggle with a water resistant rubber cover, wired direct to the battery. I also have a switch on the dash but I wanted one in the bed so I didn’t have to go in the cab if I needed some light.

Hard to forget these are on:

Already have a usb/charging port in that spot but can adjust. Good thing is i already did wiring

I don't typically have a topper on, but a tonneau. so I'm concerned about closing the gate and forgetting to flip the switch. Everything's closed up so won't be obvious, hence the timer requirement


Now what would be super sweet, a switch that turns it on when the gate is open, off when closed. Like how a refrigerator light works.

 

[jav_eee]

Now what would be super sweet, a switch that turns it on when the gate is open, off when closed. Like how a refrigerator light works.

I got you. Use one of these:

https://a.co/d/fkBqwED

or one of these:

https://a.co/d/8fauunO

You’ve just given me some ideas….

 

[Jeepmonster]

These worked great for me. You can replace the button switch with a magnetic (tailgate open/shut) or motion sensing switch. The LED strip needed to be trimmed. Otherwise, very functional.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KXR799K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[Minty JL]

A buddy had some spare white rock light lights, so I installed them on the underside of my rack and made a wiring harness that plugged into the existing OEM bed lights

 

[IamPro2A]

I got you. Use one of these:

https://a.co/d/fkBqwED

or one of these:

https://a.co/d/8fauunO

You’ve just given me some ideas….

I've actually thought of something like that, but not for the lights. Just to turn on an idiot light if I drive off with the tailgate down. It's only happened maybe 3 times, but 2 of those times I had a bunch of tools in the bed. I drove 20 miles of backroads once before I stopped for food and noticed. Thankfully didn't lose anything either time. I used to say that couldn't happen with the turncam feature enabled on the Tazer, because it would be obvious as soon as you used the turn signals. But living in a rural area, I was able to drive 20 miles without needing my turn signal until I was turning into my first stop.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

I got you. Use one of these:

https://a.co/d/fkBqwED

or one of these:

https://a.co/d/8fauunO

You’ve just given me some ideas….

Maybe even a tilt switch. Could possibly be hidden in the tailgate.

 

[IamPro2A]

Maybe even a tilt switch. Could possibly be hidden in the tailgate.

I think most of those might false too much in regular driving, especially off-road, but worth looking into because it would probably be the simplest, most durable and weatherproof option.

 

[danimal2000]

Thanks for the ideas and tips here. Here's what i went with

Magnetic Reed Switch,Wired Door... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZTP1S4Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Nilight - TR-05 2PCS 60 Inch 180... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KXR799K?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Used a fusetap to f97. Super clean install very happy with it. I may design some way of moving the magnet so I can kill the light with the gate down but for now I'm happy (like driving with a larger item and gate open)

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