Affordable Truck Bed LED Lighting: Easy Install Guide

[@Donslife]

Nilight 60 Inch Bed Light Strips (WHITE) : 3PCS : amzn.to/3W2eIHo 2PCS : amzn.to/3uCExBO Nilight 60 Inch Bed Light Strips (Color or 'RGB') : 3PCS : amzn.to/3BgaDag 2PCS : amzn.to/3BFOiU7 linktr.ee/donslife - Links to all of my products and discounts

[@bouncer58]

Don, thanks for this video. Helped me greatly. I just installed the same light kit. Slight modification I used a programmable timer relay and also added a momentary switch near the back so you can trigger them with the remote or the switch. For some reason I don’t always have my keys handy. Also appreciate your comment about not tapping into the trailering wiring. I ran a larger than needed dedicated line from the battery to power the lights, a cigarette lighter port, and whatever’s next. Much thanks.

[@steedamagic]

Why this kind of lighting isn't standard I'll never understand. Awesome video, it looks really nice. I can't wait to do exactly this!

[@Donslife]

Happy you liked it

[@DONTCALLMETHAT]

I've often wondered the same thing since the 90s when my dad had his Chevy truck. I mean LEDs weren't readily available but lighting inside the bed should've been a no brainer. Especially when they introduced bed covers

[@upriseintel9970]

Really love this upgrade, especially with the bed cover on, so hard to see if anything feel out of a grocery bag or tool box. Would be interested to get a long-term review on this one, I had a similar 3m backed item and it came off within a week; the brackets are a must im sure.

[@4961Studebaker]

Installed these very lights on my AT4. They Light up the cargo area perfectly. Used the supplied switch.

[@Eagle457-PS]

I wish my mind worked like yours with electrical. Great job!

[@Mclean2077]

These put out great light. helps when having a bed cover.

[@Donslife]

Yes, I agree. It helps the box cover rails provide a good mounting area (mostly)

[@Mclean2077]

@@Donslife I installed them on a ram. I tapped into the cargo light no issues. Helps when you have Alfaobd.

[@Donslife]

Good stuff. I did a load test off of my factory LED cargo lights before the install and they couldn’t handle more than one strip added on (they would blink and shut off). That’s why I chose the relay/trigger route.

[@Mclean2077]

@@Donslife. You could do a lot with Alfaobd on any mopar vehicle. Too bad they don’t make anything like that for Gm or ford

[@rgarcon9456]

Don, that is indeed another bright idea. My lights are on the way and I will be doing the same to my GMC Sierra soon. Thank you for continue to inspire us to make our Truck better!!

[@Donslife]

Sending you an email too

[@rgarcon9456]

@@Donslife Don thanks for your help, I successfully did my light install over the weekend. The hardest part was getting under the truck to run the wire from battery to the back of the truck. Until now I didn't realize how dark it was inside the truck bed when it is covered :-).

[@Donslife]

@@rgarcon9456 Excellent! Happy New Year!

[@TheRealRealtor843]

Just want to thank you and say what a good job you are doing with all the upgrade videos! Have a 2023 GMC 2500 HD AT4 and ordered light kit. What tyoe relay did you use and for main power I am assuming you tapped into battery?

[@shanescarlife]

Now you need some speakers in the bed, and you can have a cool outdoor bar with a dance floor in your driveway! 😉

[@Donslife]

Shane, would you participate?

[@shanescarlife]

@@Donslife absolutely!!!

[@tdwnex]

I love the idea of tapping into the existing cargo lights. I'm also trying to add in a switch to manually turn them on with a hot power source. I cant figure out how to do that without a constant power source on the 86 (negates the trigger of the stock cargos). I've thought about wiring in a normal switch seperate from the relay but I get into the same issue of having positive wires powering each other again. I dont want to have a reversing aspect. Also, I dont think 87a will work because the trigger is not constant. Is this goal even possible? If so, any info you have, terms to search, or a "not possible" works too. 😅

[@darinking436]

Do you have a video installing a switch on the existing cargo lights in the bed so you can turn them on line the Ford trucks have?

[@Donslife]

No, sorry. But these lights have a switch built in if you choose to use to that way. You just need to decide where to mount it and remember to turn it off after.

[@mikeheitczman1521]

Do you think it’s necessary to add a relay in an run power from the battery? LED’s draw such low voltage, you don’t think the existing bed light power would’ve been enough?

[@Donslife]

I tested the existing LED cargo light circuit. It failed to power more than 1 strip. They end up flashing and shut off (all of the lights).

[@MrJoe8K]

So why not just use the power from the factory bed light instead of going all the way to the battery? Is that led strip going to draw that much power? Or are you being really safe.

[@Joshua3131cc]

Could you have just hidden the relay up front by your Auxbeam? Then taped in to the cargo light switch to trigger the relay? I just thought it might clean up the excess wiring. I'm also work on this and auxbean. Thanks for the video!

[@Donslife]

Yes you could, I was pretty far along with the install before I confirmed the LED bed-lights couldn’t handle the extra load. Good option if I choose to redo it ever

[@markmanning5683]

Could you please reference the Video that covers the Upgrade for the Lighting that allows the 3rd. brake light Clear lamps and the Factory LED's in the box. I would want to do the same Upgrade for this modification. T hank you Sir.

[@Donslife]

Done! Cargo Light Mod : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpq7Y4evp9esZ5o

[@LegacyIndustrial1]

Don, I’ll bet you could have piggy-backed those corner lights. Looks great.

[@Donslife]

I tested that before filming. Anything more than one strand overloaded the circuit. The existing lights and the strips would flash a few times and shut off

[@LegacyIndustrial1]

@@Donslife i am not surprised you checked it!

[@medicbrndn]

So is each strip wired to a separate bed light?

[@cmbrown86]

Did you try to connect two of the lights and tap directly to the factory cargo light? Skipping the 3rd light. What I'm trying to do is avoid the relay.

[@Donslife]

I tried one strip, two strips and 3 strips tapped into the existing LEDs. The left and right existing LEDs are on the same circuit so even connected one strip to each resulted in a fault. One strip total seemed to work, but not two.

[@dixiedj1930]

What was the relay or do you have a relay information that I can order? I think I want to do this to my brand new 2024 GMC I’m a DJ and I need more lights to load at night would be nice.

[@losmoore3358]

Job well done. I like it. I wonder if it will work on a 2011 silverado Lt crew cab 1500 series short bed ?

[@Donslife]

It is a universal kit

[@willbrown5832]

Love this channel Don. What is the easiest way to route your wire from the battery to the bed box?

[@Donslife]

Down the passenger side behind the battery along the existing factory wiring that heads the back of the vehicle. Then come up where the box and cab meet. Watch out for sharp angles where the wire could chafe or scrape

[@Donslife]

Thank you for your support too!

[@mrgilromeroify]

Do you have a video on how you connected the relay, what type of cable you used to connect from battery and how you ran the cable?

[@Donslife]

I don't have a video and there are dozens on KZbin already for 'how to connect a 12v relay.' I used 12 or 14 gage wire I think. You want a gage that matches or is thicker than what comes with the product your installing.

[@robertnewman1593]

Do you have a link for relay?

[@Donslife]

amzn.to/48rIGLe

[@amosharding2505]

thanks for the installation guide question what type of relay to use

[@Donslife]

Thanks. Just a pretty common 12v 30A or 40 amp relay with 4 pins. 5 can work too, one would just not be connected.

[@lonnylieberman9313]

How are you connected to the battery? Any photos or a video of the battery side

[@Dmac6969]

Does the power coming from the battery just mount directly to the battery like you did for the under hood led light strip?

[@Donslife]

Yes that will work

[@Dmac6969]

@@Donslife okay thanks! Haven't done any of this stuff so I gotta wrap my head around it lol

[@ooc1977]

good evening do you have a video showing how ran the extra line from the battery to the bed of the truck to the relay

[@Donslife]

I replied to your instagram message

[@ooc1977]

just seen it, thank you@@Donslife

[@lonnylieberman9313]

Hi wanted to ask the same question… Thanks!

[@lonnylieberman9313]

@@Donslifemind sharing here too

[@andypope8487]

Like this upgrade and wanting to add to my AT4 as well. Is it possible to tie each strand directly into the L/R cargo lights in the bed for power for each side separately? See that you tried linking the strands in series from the L side and that failed. Thanks!

[@seanmcanally534]

Need info on the relay. Does the relay come with instructions?

[@Donslife]

Unfortunately instructions usually don’t come with the 4 or 5 pin relays. Either will work for this install. Mine was a 12volt 30a 4 pin or 4 pole relay. If you google how to wire a 4 or 5 pole relay, there are dozens of videos, pictures, etc on the internet. Including lightbar wiring. Instead of a switch to tell the relay to turn on or off, I just ran the wires to the existing courtesy light positive and negative. Then the other two leads on the relay go to the battery or at least the positive does and you can ground to to body/frame of the vehicle if you want

[@nectarchu]

Hi Don, could you please tell me what kind/model of relay you used? Thank you!

[@Donslife]

Just your run of the mill 12volt 30amp 4 pin relay. A 5 pin will work too, you just don’t connect the middle prong. Lots of choices on Amazon

[@hugba]

Very tidy job there. Do the led strips work independently from the existing cargo lights using the led strip switch or do the other lights need to be on for the strips switch to work?

[@Donslife]

You can wire them on a switch too if you wanted. I chose to tie it into my cargo light. But I also have a mod from a previous video that allows the cargo light circuit to come on when the reverse lights are on. This allows me to hit unlock on the key fob to have them turn on briefly as well

[@crmsonknight69]

@@Donslife Do you have a video of how you tied them into your cargo light switch? I'd like to do the same.

[@markmanning5683]

Could advise where you ran the 12 volt power for the relay from inside the Cab to the Box? Is there a Grommet you can pass this wire from inside to outside? I don't want to go underneath the floor to run this. Thanks again.

[@Donslife]

I ran under the floor along the factory wiring behind the battery. You can follow it all the way to the box

[@markmanning5683]

@@Donslife Thanks, I'll check it out.

[@teabee44]

How are they holding up over 1½ years later? Looking to buy these for my offroad/camping 03 Silverado

[@HectorCastro-dg3vn]

Don how do you run the cave to the battery is there a video on that ? What exact relay sir ? Thanks in advance

[@Donslife]

I don’t have a specific video for the power wire from the battery, but I can tell you it runs down behind the battery and the front fender lining, under the cab and over to the box. There are wiring harnesses under the can you can strap your power wire for the relay to. The relay is a 12volt 4 pin 30A. A 12volt 5pin will work too, just don’t hook up the 5th pin. Some of these relays are also 40A. That’s fine too

[@HectorCastro-dg3vn]

Thanks man I’ll try it this weekend

[@HectorCastro-dg3vn]

@@Donslife hey don you only ran the power line from battery not a ground right ? Ground you just get it off the bed ?

[@Donslife]

@@HectorCastro-dg3vn correct. One power wire. Grounded behind the taillight

[@HectorCastro-dg3vn]

You make it seem to easy man 😅 the light strips are longer did you cut them or just fold them ? Thanks in advance

[@PoppysG4]

Don, when you ran a wire from your battery, did you run a neg wire too, and did you add a fuse on the pos side

[@Donslife]

Hello. No negative wire from the battery, just grounded near the relay. And yes to the fuse.

[@ooc1977]

I'm looking for the video that you used to turn on cargo lights when you it unlock.

[@Donslife]

Right here: Cargo Light Mod GMC Sierra & Chevrolet Silverado kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpq7Y4evp9esZ5o

[@RoryRezzelle]

I followed your video for adding the step lights to the tailgate and love it, but I didn't realize you did a mod to turn them on with the unlock button. Do you have a link to that?

[@Donslife]

here you go sir : Cargo Light Mod : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpq7Y4evp9esZ5o

[@RoryRezzelle]

@@Donslife Thanks so much!

[@williamgoodlett4938]

I did fast forward a little through the video, but with the relay tapped into the bedlights/break lights and then the relay main power source being the battery, will the new lights work only when the bed lights/break lights are on or from the on/off switch that came with it also. I was thinking if the bed lights aren't on the relay will not be on so the new lights will not come on with hitting the bed lights.

[@macjsonmyfeet]

Info, link or suggestions on the specific relay you used? I’m not very well versed in electrical wiring. Thanks!

[@Donslife]

Look for a 12volt 4 pin 30amp relay. Amazon is a common place to get them

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Don, did you put the lights in the multi-gate, or were they an option?

[@Donslife]

Hi, put lights in the step section if that’s what you’re asking

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Sorry Don. I just read about the post for that install. Thanks. Rick

[@Donslife]

No worries man

[@edgarcamacho3526]

Did you have to take truck to dealer to get programmed for the led lights installed in the rear? or di you do it yourself?

[@Donslife]

Everything has been done myself. Some of the lighting behavior modifications are using products from BoostAutoParts

[@walterm2871]

don what is that tool on 4:08? i just bought the ni light and want to install on my 2003 silverado work truck. thanks

[@Donslife]

A basic 12v circuit tester is all. Nothing fancy

[@waynebeck7801]

Will the sticky keep sticking though?

[@Donslife]

No idea 🤷🏻‍♂️ Time will tell. My under hood LED is holding strong with the same adhesive and it has been several months for hot and cold

[@PoppysG4]

Hey Don love your videos, learned alot. How did you run the wire to the battery and did you use a loom

[@Donslife]

I used loom and ran the wire from the battery to the box of the truck along the main harness that GM already has in place.

[@PoppysG4]

By the way, my GMC Sierra has an AC plug-in built in the bed . Would it be possible to wire from the AC plug

[@Donslife]

@@PoppysG4 maybe, but I didn’t test the circuit since it relies on the switch on the dash being manually turned on. I chose not to go down that route and explore it as an option

[@Donslife]

And the truck has to running for the switch to function

[@user-qs6zy1xc2i]

Great videos could you share the relay part number? Thank you for you time.

[@Donslife]

This one is better than mine for water resistance amzn.to/3Rf3yhn

[@SuperJj2468]

How long does the cargo/ bed lights stay on after you unlock truck . Stock Silverado stays on for 30 seconds can you change this time?

[@jasonmilam7431]

Do you have to keep the switch that comes with the strip lights when you use the relay?

[@Donslife]

You’ll need something to act as a switch or trigger to tell the relay when to turn on or off. You could do that with the switch that your lights might come with or use a circuit from existing lights like I did

[@jasonmilam7431]

@@Donslife I noticed when you tied up all the wiring that the switch that came with the lights is tied up with everything. I'm trying to set mine up in my truck (2019 Silverado) like you did (work on the same switch that turns on the factory lighting). I guess I just don't fully understand how the relay was wired up.

[@Donslife]

I just didn’t want to chop up the wires so I left the switch in the on position and tucked it away. There are hundreds of youtube videos to show how to wire up a 4 pin or 5 pin 12volt relay. In principle it is fairly simple if you draw yourself a diagram plan first. That’s what I do

[@thisblows12345678]

Do they offer that today on the site? If not where'd you get it? Also new subscriber but love the content.

[@Donslife]

Links in the video description my friend

[@thisblows12345678]

@@Donslife typo I'm sorry instead of today I meant relay 🤣🤣

[@Donslife]

😂 its a 12volt 30amp 4 pin relay. Search amazon and you’ll find tons for under $10 too

[@omarramirez2335]

Great job tying in I did mine in a similar fashion but since I do not have factory LED bed lights I tapped into the 12V accessory on my 7pin hitch out back ran the switch up next to the top left side of the bed in the rear To add to that I used a door button switch to with the ground wire then fabbed up a 90degree bracket so when I open my LEER Fiberglass Tonneau cover it lights up the bed ass the button completes the negative side of the circuit when not being pushed In but I also have the ability to use the switch to turn them off in case I have a load in the bed and need to keep tonneau lid open I like the quality and for the price of these kits cannot go wrong

[@Donslife]

Cool. I can’t tie anything into my trailer harness wiring. The trailer tech goes haywire when anything draws from it.

[@195slp]

Hey don, i have a 19 LT, I followed like you, and when i hit the bed light button they come on and blink and go out. But when it's night out hitting unlock turns on the bed lights and they stay on, but not in the day. Would you know why they blink have you heard anything like that?

[@Donslife]

Sounds like the circuit is getting a little more current. At least just enough to keep it running. I am not sure at the moment

[@195slp]

@@Donslife ok thanks!

[@paulkaup1557]

Don, What did you do with the negative from the truck bed Led light and the negative from the switch? Did you tie them together and connect them to the ground side on the relay?

[@Donslife]

I believe I did ground everything to the relay and then the relay to the body. Lots has happened since this video was created. My memory is fading 😀

[@paulkaup1557]

@@Donslife thanks Don. After following your video instructions and wiring them up, when I turn on the truck and push the light button in the cab the light strip just blink on and off. Any idea why they would do this?

[@Donslife]

Sounds like a power supply problem. Did you test the lights on their own first and/or double check your relay wiring? The switch should just be sending a signal to the relay to turn on or off. The power for the light strips comes from the relay once it is triggered on.

[@michealenochs8470]

Ok Don Ok you talked me in to subscribing I hope your happy!🤪 Great video I might add!

[@Donslife]

Thanks for subbing! Lot’s to see here

[@nickmeffinludwig]

Can you dumb down the relay connection for me? Never used one

[@Donslife]

A relay acts like a switch but turns on or off when a current is sent to it. So you can wire one up to turn accessories on or off when another circuit is turned on or off. This is a good way of providing more current to an accessory that may otherwise overload a circuit it gets tapped into

[@nickmeffinludwig]

@Donslife thanks man. I ordered the bed lights the other day and was looking through the comments here again and realized I won't be able to do it the "easy way". Thanks for the quick reply, you just gained a subscriber 🤙

[@Donslife]

Glad to have you 😊

[@Hugeness]

Looks great Don. Did you have to add the relay? I don't see a link to that?

[@Donslife]

I did a test prior to filming and if you want them tied into the existing LED cargo light circuit, unfortunately you need a relay if you add more than 1 strip. I tried every configuration too. The relay is a 12volt 4 pin 30amp relay that can be ordered on Amazon pretty easily. All of the pin locations are the same if you get one that is shaped like the one used in the video. Some come with a harness for easier wiring and replacement if the relay ever fails.

[@Hugeness]

@@Donslife Perfect, thank you for the quick response! I have watched nearly all your videos on the AT4 and have done most of the mods as well. I am getting ready to do the Auxbeam with Siberian light, rock and interior lighting before a big off-road trip we have planned in February

[@Synwright]

Great video!

[@Donslife]

Thank you ✌🏼

[@fluxdinlife]

How would you tap into the cargo light at the top light? Any help is greatly appreciated

[@Donslife]

There is a harness in the headliner on the left side back corner for the cargo lights and 3rd brake light if you have them

[@evocati6523]

My truck is almost 10 years old and came factory with under rail bed lights which are so useful, I can't understand why that didn't become the standard going forward

[@Donslife]

I agree

[@RanGer-498]

Cost

[@qck57594]

Nice job and mod

[@cmbrown86]

What did you do with the ground that comes with the light stips? I see you tapped into the ground from the factory lights.

[@Donslife]

Connected them to the factory light ground since it was already exposed

[@paulkaup1557]

Don, if I understand correctly, you tied the ground wire from the bed light to the ground (negative) from the LED Strip switch? Did you come off the relay ground to those same two wires or are did you run a separate ground of the relay to the truck?

[@willy4020]

Love this idea. What do I search when finding the relay you used? Thank you.

[@Donslife]

Thanks 🙏🏻 12 volt 4 pin relay. Commonly come as 30amp or 40amp. Either is more than enough

[@troubledthoughts3936]

Watching your videos turns out to be expensive! 😆

[@cmbrown86]

Do you know if there is a way to get the lights to stay on longer when you hit unlock?

[@Donslife]

Yes, you just have to use the cargo light button in the cab if that’s the circuit you tapped into like I did. The unlock is just using the temp timer built into that feature when unlocking the vehicle

[@Eightball2516]

The problem I see with this is what if you change your tonneau cover if it rips or tears. And you have to replace the rails.

[@Donslife]

Don’t forget if you roll truck too

[@njkay0033]

Sask tag looks very Florida like

[@Donslife]

Instead of alligators and crocodiles, we have wolves and moose

[@dontblameme6328]

You don't need to worry about the extra power load. That whole kit pulls less than 2A.

[@Donslife]

I tested it before filming. If I attached more than one strip to the existing bed LEDs, they overloaded. They would blink a few times and shut off. Surprised me too

[@Lsx70Velle]

Is the relay necessary? Seems it’s not included.

[@Donslife]

Not necessary at all if you want to just run a manual switch on its own

[@albertolamadrid1864]

Do you have a link for the type of relay?

[@robertnewman1593]

Did you ever get the link for the relay? I am curious about that myself

[@Donslife]

amzn.to/48rIGLe

[@PoppysG4]

Thanks

[@Donslife]

No problem

[@davidmaciasjr803]

what relay did you use? Do you have a link to purchase?

[@Donslife]

it is a standard 12volt 30amp 4 pin relay - I had one laying around, so a quick search on amazon or google and you can find one fast. Some come with a wiring harness too.

[@jamessmith-gb7ov]

just for a piece of mind solder breaks at the wire just from vibration.

[@MrHelipilot]

Lit!

[@Donslife]

🔥 💡 🔥 💡 🔥

[@FNAFgamrz]

I didn’t know inspector gadget made KZbin tutorials

[@Donslife]

😂

[@joshwolf3410]

To bad they can’t be set up to come on when just opening the tailgates.

[@Donslife]

You could

[@joshwolf3410]

@@Donslife I didn’t know that. None of my cargo lights come on when I just open the tailgate. I have to use the fob or interior button. How would I go about making them come on every time the tailgate is opened. ?

[@Dmac6969]

@@joshwolf3410 you could probably add a pressure switch similar to the switch used for his "under the hood" led strip

[@Donslife]

Exactly. It would require an added switch cleverly located to not get exposed to the elements. There might be a water proof 12v switch that would work. I haven’t gone done that road to recommend one at this time

[@chrismadden8379]

Nobody likes a dirty box Don.

[@muretoholmes6724]

Another outstiggy standing video.

[@robertlcervantez9964]

Where do I get the relay. I have the led lights

[@Donslife]

Amazon has 12 volt relays - should be easy to find. 4 or 5 pin will work.