For example, if your truck bed is 7 ft (2. 1 m) by 5 ft (1. 5 m) and you want to light up the back wall and both side walls, get a strip that’s about 19 ft (5. 8 m) long. You can choose any type of LED truck bed lights with an adhesive backside for this. Many of these types of light strips have either an automatic on/off switch or a toggle-style on-off switch. There are different colors and brightness available as well. You’ll also need a fuse, a fuse holder, red 14-gauge electrical wire, wire protector, heat shrink, 8 in (20 cm) zip ties, electrical terminal connectors, solder, a soldering iron, a screwdriver, a wire stripper, a crimping tool, a socket wrench, isopropyl alcohol, a lint-free cloth, a heat gun, and masking tape for this project. There are also easy-to-install truck bed lighting kits available that come with additional supplies like wires and other items you need to hook up the lights in your truck bed.
This just lets you visualize the positioning so you can plan where you’re going to stick the lights. Peel up the tape and adjust the light strip as needed to position the lights symmetrically along the truck bed. For the most illumination, it’s best to put lights along the entire length of each of the 2 side walls and the back wall.
For example, a microfiber cloth or an old cotton T-shirt work well for this. This gets rid of dirt, dust, oils, and other contaminants that can prevent the lights from adhering properly.
Adhesive LED truck bed lights stick best to flat, metal surfaces that are either painted or unpainted. If you have to stick the lights onto any plastic or textured surfaces, clean them off again with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to ensure proper adhesion. For the cleanest look, try to tuck the lights up under the bed wall lips as much as possible.
Note that, for the rest of the installation and wiring process, things might look different on different vehicle makes and models. Consult your owner’s manual if you’re ever unsure where certain wires and other components are on your specific vehicle.
The ground wire is typically black, but it could be another color. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the LED lights if you’re not sure which wire is the ground wire. Always remember to put the heat shrink on before you connect the ends of 2 wires because you can’t put it on after they’re soldered together. Heat shrink insulates and protects the wires once they’re soldered together for a more durable and waterproof connection.
Ground wires can be different colors, but they’re usually black, brown, or green. Consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle and the instructions for the LED lights if you aren’t sure which wire is which. You can also identify the tail light’s ground wire by using a multimeter to test the wires. Ground wires have no electrical current. An alternative to soldering the LED lights’ ground wire to the tail light’s ground wire is to solder it to an exposed, unpainted piece of metal somewhere inside the hole where the tail light goes.
Don’t touch the wires with the tip of the heat gun or you might damage them. It only takes a few seconds for the heat shrink to shrink down in size.
Don’t stretch the wire out tightly because you want some slack to ensure that the wire still reaches the battery after it’s in its final position.
Wire protector is a flexible shielding for electrical wires that prevents them from directly rubbing against surfaces and potentially fraying.
Around 6 zip ties should be sufficient, but use as many as you feel is necessary to secure the wire in place. This keeps all your wiring neatly and safely together.
Take the fuse out of the fuse holder if it already has a fuse in it to be safe. Using an in-line fuse holder ensures that if there is ever a short circuit in your LED battery wire, the fuse will blow and it won’t cause an electrical fire in your engine compartment.
Tuck the wiring in somewhere around the battery to make everything neat and tidy.
The positive wire is usually red. If you don’t see a red wire coming from the lights or you’re unsure, check the manufacturer’s instructions for the lights. If your LED lights don’t have a built-in on/off switch, solder a toggle switch in between the positive wires, so you can easily turn the lights on and off.
If there are any wires peeking out between the tail light and the end of the LED light strip, look for discreet areas to tuck them into, such as behind the truck bed liner.
For example, if the LED lights have an amp load of 5, use a 10-amp fuse. The amp load for the LED lights is clearly listed on the packaging and in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Wait until it’s dark out or do this in a dark garage to really see how the lights illuminate your truck bed! If the lights don’t immediately turn on, make sure the on/off switch is toggled to the “on” position. You can also test connections with a multimeter to determine if there are any that aren’t working and re-connect them with more solder and heat shrink.
