Pistol Pete's Bed light mod with RECON bed light unit - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

pistolpete · #1 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 07:53 PM

Well folks I finally got around to performing the modification AND writing up a detailed procedure...It was finished last month and made two fishing voyages to the Catskills and was a BIG hit!

I've attached a detailed procedure along with some final pics of it in action. I like the way it turned out and that I have full control over the on/off and infinite angle adjustment of the LED light pods due to the mounting procedure I used. It also has "nightvision" for those times I am night fishing or running "covert" operations and wish NOT to loose my "night sight".

So without further ado here it is...hope you enjoy it and it sparks some interesting ideas of your own!

more pics can be found in my photo gallery

jbtoy · #2 (**permalink**) 05-21-2009, 10:36 PM

Nice job guy and a great writeup to boot. I just did this mod a couple of weeks ago, but, not to the level you did. I agree, it looks great at night and makes a nice difference, as I have a full tonneau and the cargo light is useless.

I did install switch for anytime "on". My bedrug gives a blueish effect to boot.
My lite pic is during the daylight.

You went the extra step with your install and it looks great!!!!!

pistolpete · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-2009, 08:20 AM

thanks for the props JB...yours looks good too...how did you attach the lights up under the rails? I worrried about the longevity of the 3M tape especially since I wash the bed out alot.
BTW, is that a custom fire extinguisher bracket bolted thru the bedside and acting as your chase for your switch wiring?

rkzjfam · #4 (**permalink**) 05-22-2009, 10:29 PM

All the projects and so little time......I am a rookie when it comes to wiring and stuff. The guy who owned my truck before left a wire that leads to my battery post. I assume it was for a truck cab brake light hot wire. Can I use this wire with a toggle switch to hook up this wiring project? I guess I would have to test it to see how much juice is coming out, right? Just asking so I don't burn anything up. I don't have one of those fancy fire extinguisher in my truck.

MrBeanley · #5 (**permalink**) 05-22-2009, 11:04 PM

I actually did this sort of mod to my truck about 2 years ago. I went a tick further on the hook up, though. I have mine setup to come on with the overhead cargo light (via a relay I wired up, which sits under the driver's breaklight housing inside the bed wall). It is nice because it comes on with the interior lights when I trigger the auto door locks, and I can turn it on and off with the cargo light switch from the factory.

As far as a "chase", I managed to fish the wires up between the inner and outer walls of the bed side, then simply taped the wires up out of the way from light to light.

Great write up, btw...

jbtoy · #6 (**permalink**) 05-23-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpete

thanks for the props JB...yours looks good too...how did you attach the lights up under the rails? I worrried about the longevity of the 3M tape especially since I wash the bed out alot.
BTW, is that a custom fire extinguisher bracket bolted thru the bedside and acting as your chase for your switch wiring?

I went with 3M HD tape for now (not the one supplied). I should be okay because the bed is covered and I have a bedrug in there. Not carrying anything dirty that requires washing the bed. The fire EX is mounted to a 1x4 covered in matching felt for the ARE cover. I also made my divider board the same way. There is a pic in my gallery that shows the bed setup a lot better. I just made a matching setup for the other side for the Toy emergency kit I have in there as well. The switch is mounted to this board as well. The bedrug made it easier to conceal all wiring with the setup.