Flexible LED strip truck bed lights
#1
Flexible LED strip truck bed lights
This isn't really meant to be a how-to but I'd be happy to answer questions about how I installed these.
There are four 20" weatherproof LED strips in Natural White color because it's the brightest (http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...ht-strip/1466/). The strips are self-adhesive, but I didn't think they'd stick too well to the Line-X, so I screwed some 5/8" wide aluminum strips to the bed with self-tapping screws. Ran a fused hot wire from the battery (around the front of the engine bay, then down the drivers side frame rail) so it's always on.
They are rated at 80 lumens/ft for the Natural White and draw 89 mA/ft. I've got less than 7 feet of lights, so that's just over 0.6 amps.
The strips were $12 each. I probably spent another $25 or so on the switch, wiring, and the aluminum strips. For about $75, you can't beat the results. Light output is fantastic!
Here's the results:
In this photo you can see the lighted switch.
There are four 20" weatherproof LED strips in Natural White color because it's the brightest (http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...ht-strip/1466/). The strips are self-adhesive, but I didn't think they'd stick too well to the Line-X, so I screwed some 5/8" wide aluminum strips to the bed with self-tapping screws. Ran a fused hot wire from the battery (around the front of the engine bay, then down the drivers side frame rail) so it's always on.
They are rated at 80 lumens/ft for the Natural White and draw 89 mA/ft. I've got less than 7 feet of lights, so that's just over 0.6 amps.
The strips were $12 each. I probably spent another $25 or so on the switch, wiring, and the aluminum strips. For about $75, you can't beat the results. Light output is fantastic!
Here's the results:
In this photo you can see the lighted switch.
#4
Awesome work, I just ordered the same bed cover and I've been wanting to do the same LED setup as you have. Interesting how you've used 4 strips rather than the one long strip that I normally see on DIYs like this. How have the lights held up since you posted in 2013?
Last edited by RavynX; 02-10-2015 at 03:43 PM.
#7
Still going strong. Had an issue last winter where we got a ton of snow and the wiring to the switch got so weighed down by ice, that it pulled out of the switch. I went back and soldered everything up and it's been solid ever since. They are apparently supposed to be all weather lights. They're pretty well protected under the rails - I wouldn't hesitate to use this setup with or without a bed cover
Trending Topics
#9
Yeah, I'll get some more pics soon, if my BakFlip cover isn't frozen to the bed rails...
The strips have adhesive on the back - it's just like a big long sticker. You could probably just stick it to the side of the bed if you don't have LineX. I was just worried that they wouldn't stick too well to the rough texture of the bed coating.
As for wiring, there's a red and black wire coming from the end of each strip. I zip-tied the two sets together and ran them through a grommet in the side of the bed. I had to drill a hole and add the grommet. The wires just go between the inner and outer bed panels back to the switch.
The strips have adhesive on the back - it's just like a big long sticker. You could probably just stick it to the side of the bed if you don't have LineX. I was just worried that they wouldn't stick too well to the rough texture of the bed coating.
As for wiring, there's a red and black wire coming from the end of each strip. I zip-tied the two sets together and ran them through a grommet in the side of the bed. I had to drill a hole and add the grommet. The wires just go between the inner and outer bed panels back to the switch.
#10
#11