replacement fixture similar to cargo lights

[frankie stockboy]

What I want to do is put a light under my tonneau lid and have it funtion identical to the cargo light, which has been rendered useless by the lid. I don't need it to be like daylight under there and I'd like to do it as simply as possible--cut the wires to the cargo light, extend them to the inside of the bed, then connect them to a light fixture similar in draw to the cargo lights.

The cargo light is two 18 watt bulbs. Can anyone suggest a similar fixture that would work well here? It doesn't need to be weatherproof, but definately needs clear lenses. I've come across a few options, but none I really like yet...

[JnEsPappa]

SATundra has done some nice work with under the cab lights, but I have NO idea how he did it. Maybe give him a PM

[frankie stockboy]

Yeah, I looked through his mods and contemplated a similar setup, but inside the bed. The 55-watt lights that he used are overkill for what I'd like, though. I want to be able to, say, go into the bed of my truck at a dark campground and be able to see, but not flood the bed with headlight-quality brilliance.

Of all the fixtures I've found, it seems like I've got two options--the overly bright, driving-light fixture or the wimpy, frosted plastic dome light fixture. I'm on a mission to find something inbetween.

[glenn233]

check cabelas at cabelas.com look under truck and atv they have pick up cargo box light set.

[nymand1]

I've been looking for this solution too. I've thought of two small LED lights, mounted on the sides of the bedliner, flush with the outside surface. The hang-up might be the wiring. What do you do, drill through the bed to tap into the existing cargo light wiring? I don't think so. I will continue to ponder this.

[nhparrot]

Wire it through a grommit under the driver's seat, along the rail under the bed and into the bed via the driver's side tailight.

[TundraBear]

Originally posted by nhparrot
Wire it through a grommit under the driver's seat, along the rail under the bed and into the bed via the driver's side tailight.

good call glenn. originally i was thinking along the lines of how officerbob ran his. i can't remember how he got outta the cab, but i think he popped in the bed from the front then ran it under the rail.

any suggestions on securing the line under the bed? i was thinking of running one of those under the hood lights with the mercury or whatever. this way the light comes on whenever the lid is up and it goes off when it's closed. this way i wont have to worry about leaving it on. then i was thinking of adding an inline switch so i can leave the lid open all day long while enjoying the company of fellow TS'ers at a Jam or whatnot!

[nhparrot]

Check out "How to wire the lights in a camper shell to work under control of the cargo light switch." listed on the Miscellaneous Lighting page of the TundraSolutions.com Lighting & Electronics FAQ for an idea of how to do this.

Note: Above referenced link is acessiable by club members only.

[frankie stockboy]

I'm still looking into accomplishing this. I still haven't figured out anything concrete. Thanks for the Cabela lead, glenn233. They're close to what I'm envisioning. Unless modified, they require drilling into the bed for the ground connection. From poking around the lights section at pretty much any store that has one, I've realized that these Cabela Bedlighters are simply repackaged license plate lights. So anyone who goes this route can pick these up at RV stores, just under $9 a piece.

[nymand1]

This is a good topic. I'D BE DISAPPOINTED IF THIS IS MOVED TO THE "EXCLUSIVE, PAY FOR USE" area.

This isn't rocket science folx. The hang up is the lights themselves & mounting. Wiring: Out the cab via the hood release, down next to the brake lines, along the frame, and then parrot's idea out the taillight to the bed.

Frankie might have something with license lights. The lenses would have be a lexan material or something. They would have to take a moderate about of abuse, say from a ladder, bucket, shovel, paint cans, or even topsoil. I'm looking to mount mid-bed on the left and right sides right where the bed liner convexs outward- there's a nice hollow area that'd work nice.

Have you thought of using an LED third brake light, under the front rail? It'd be red, but its just for low watt visibility.