I mostly leave my Retrax cover closed, so it difficult to find specific stuff under there especially at night. I found some LED strip lights that are used mostly for ground-effect lighting under cars (instead of neon), and mounted them under the bed rails with a constant power (and weatherproof) switch. Overall, it works pretty well, I do need to remember to shut them off. The lights run about $40. Here are some shots:


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/CrackerJack/2004-10-05_123426_both_lights.JPG


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/CrackerJack/2004-10-05_123451_single_light.JPG


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/CrackerJack/2004-10-05_123514_switch.JPG

That's slick! Can you post where they came from and how you mounted those suckers?





Burner--------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

The maker of the Hyperleds is the company VARAD HyperLED you need to by them from an authorized dealer. I bought them from Al and Ed's Autosound. They mount easily with two self-tapping screws.

I bought some ones from Wal-Mart for $5 each that had the switches on them. They take standard clear auto bulbs. As Cracker Jack said, you have to remember to turn them off. Not quite a cool, but worked just as good.

$40/ea?


I put a topper on my truck and this would work slick. Been thinking of adding some lights in there one of these days.

Those do look good. Any pix at night? Thanks


Ben

Just a thought but I think it'd be cool to wire up a door jamb style switch to the tailgate so when it opens the lights turnon. I'd probably also wire up a deafeat switch for it in the cab or where you have it so I could turn it off and leave the tailgate open though.

Just a thought but I think it'd be cool to wire up a door jamb style switch to the tailgate so when it opens the lights turnon. I'd probably also wire up a deafeat switch for it in the cab or where you have it so I could turn it off and leave the tailgate open though.

That is what I plan on doing.

I am getting ready to install some lights in my bed, I am going to just tie into the parking lights. For me, when loading/unloading in the dark, the truck is almost always running. I also have my lights set to stay on for 90 seconds or so after shutting the truck off. More than enough time to open the gate and grab groceries or something.

Just wire it to the doors and have a defeat switch? The light switch could work the entire system. Or, maybe just wire it to the cab light? The cab light would give you the option to turn it off and on without and extra switch. Heck, if you did leave it on the OEM system would turn it off within an hour. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

Use the cargo light circuit. Then you already have the switch right in the truck.

I originally planned on wiring the lights to the cargo circuit but that meant I had to go enter the car turn it on and off again, not a big deal but it is more convenient just to flick a switch. The tailgate switch would be nice but I would recommend a defeat switch. I will take some night shots tonight of the bed and re-post.

I have the Varad lights in my boat, I really like them, they are nice and bright.

Here is a night photo.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/CrackerJack/2004-10-07_105153_bed_at_night.JPG

That photo looks so professional. Like your trying to sell the lights.


Good job. Lights look awesome!