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Tow vehicle LED project

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
I added a small LED strip to my rear plate. Wired it in so it comes on when I shift to reverse.


The light is mounted to a partial plastic license plate frame the dealer put on my truck when I bought it. I sawed off the part except the part between the bolts at the top. I mounted the light to the partial frame with the supplied 2 sided tape.

I got power from the center terminal of the 7 pin connector.

The light is a 20cm LED COB strip from ebay. $10 a pair.
Prev: 2010 Cougar 322QBS (junk)
02 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9L CTD 3.55
07 Dodge 3500 4x4 SRW Mega 5.9L CTD 3.73
14 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew 6.4L Hemi 4.10
06 Chevy 1500 4x4 E-Cab 3.73 5.3L
07 Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi 3.55 / 2010 Jayco 17z
All above are sold, no longer own an RV
6 REPLIES 6

Beer_Belly
Explorer
Explorer
ib516 wrote:
Sinnettc wrote:
Are the ones under the tonneau connected to a switch or are they on any time your parking lights are on?

Switched. I mounted the switch in a weather proof plastic housing and mounted that to the driver's side just inside the tailgate.

They are wired directly to the battery so they can be switched on independent of the headlights and ignition switch positions.

I'd be tempted to have that on Switched Power.....if you're like me, and carry stuff in the bed, and something hits the switch turning it on, you may wake up to a dead battery.....plus, I'm more likely to forget to turn it off
*Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

Sinnettc
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks ib516. I just installed a Bakpak G2 tonneau cover on my truck and this would be a nice addition. Especially since I've got about 3 feet of LED strip left over from the awning project looking for someplace to go.
1995 Chevy Silverado K1500 4x4 short bed
2010 Trail Cruiser 23QBC
2001 Catalina Capri 22 sailboat "Verboten"

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
Sinnettc wrote:
Are the ones under the tonneau connected to a switch or are they on any time your parking lights are on?

Switched. I mounted the switch in a weather proof plastic housing and mounted that to the driver's side just inside the tailgate.

They are wired directly to the battery so they can be switched on independent of the headlights and ignition switch positions.
Prev: 2010 Cougar 322QBS (junk)
02 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9L CTD 3.55
07 Dodge 3500 4x4 SRW Mega 5.9L CTD 3.73
14 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew 6.4L Hemi 4.10
06 Chevy 1500 4x4 E-Cab 3.73 5.3L
07 Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi 3.55 / 2010 Jayco 17z
All above are sold, no longer own an RV

Sinnettc
Explorer
Explorer
Are the ones under the tonneau connected to a switch or are they on any time your parking lights are on?
1995 Chevy Silverado K1500 4x4 short bed
2010 Trail Cruiser 23QBC
2001 Catalina Capri 22 sailboat "Verboten"

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
I put 4 of them in the bed too. Handy to see under the tonneau.

Prev: 2010 Cougar 322QBS (junk)
02 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9L CTD 3.55
07 Dodge 3500 4x4 SRW Mega 5.9L CTD 3.73
14 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew 6.4L Hemi 4.10
06 Chevy 1500 4x4 E-Cab 3.73 5.3L
07 Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi 3.55 / 2010 Jayco 17z
All above are sold, no longer own an RV

mguay
Explorer
Explorer
Nice Job!

I did a similar upgrade with Cob's as well. I used both of them and mounted them between the back-up sensors close to the bottom of the bumper. Sometimes I think I have more light coming out the back than the front!
2007 Volvo VNL 780 D12/Ultra Shift Singled
2017 Smart Fortwo Prime Cabrio
2014 Dynamax Trilogy 3715FB