Topic: Failed attempt to add Cargo Light switch

[BNASTY]

I wanted for a long time to add a switch or pin that I could activate the cargo lights from the bed vs. walking all the way to the front of the truck and then repeat to turn off.

So, I acquired a pin switch from work and tore apart the bed of the AV to gain access to one of the ( 2 ) 1 Rt and 1 Lt cargo lights.  I read in a forum that all that was needed was to "tap" into the cargo light wires and basically ground the wires at an added switch.

The project was going along good until I noticed that when I grounded or turned the switch on the light that I did not tap into would only go dim not completely off like the light I tapped.

My questions are.....

What did I do wrong? 

Does this only apply to the 2003 and up without the Extra light trucks? 

Do I have to tap both lights in order to make this work correctly? ( if so It ain't gonna happen )

Any Technical support would be greatly appreciated.

B

[BNASTY]

I should have never tried to do this from memory.

I found out that I tapped Both wires from the light and only needed to tap one.   

The good news is I left the wires connected to the light and all I need to do now is just not use one of them. 

This will have to wait until another day.  The wife is already complaining about me "wasting" ( can you believe that ) my day off.

B

[WB]

 This will have to wait until another day.  The wife is already complaining about me "wasting" ( can you believe that ) my day off.

B
[/quote]

BOY!!!   Have I heard this line from my wife before!!!    

They just don't understand when we're playing with our toys!!!

I think it's a control thing!! 

Sounds like you got it figured out though!?!?!?

[justJR]

And eeeeeevvvvveeeeerrrrryyyy one is wondering why I'm gay?
MY wife doesn't complain about "wasting" time on my truck!

[MoAv]

And just remember-not all wives are that way.  I get in trouble for "spending more time with that AV " than my hubby.  I can't help it-it was dusty

And needed to be polished, and vacuumed, and interior detailed, etc...I thought it was a GREAT way to spend a Sunday?!!

[yndio]

I wanted for a long time to add a switch or pin that I could activate the cargo lights from the bed vs. walking all the way to the front of the truck and then repeat to turn off.

So, I acquired a pin switch from work and tore apart the bed of the AV to gain access to one of the ( 2 ) 1 Rt and 1 Lt cargo lights.  I read in a forum that all that was needed was to "tap" into the cargo light wires and basically ground the wires at an added switch.

The project was going along good until I noticed that when I grounded or turned the switch on the light that I did not tap into would only go dim not completely off like the light I tapped.

My questions are.....

What did I do wrong? 

Does this only apply to the 2003 and up without the Extra light trucks? 

Do I have to tap both lights in order to make this work correctly? ( if so It ain't gonna happen )

Any Technical support would be greatly appreciated.

B

Hey bro, this has been on my to do list, but the problem is I think you need to get access through the saddles.  If this is true I will have to take off the snugtop.  Let me know, maybe I'll get someone to help me this weekend.

Yndio

[BNASTY]

Yndio,
No need to take off the snugtop.  I removed ( lots ) of push type pins in the bed on one side along with the 2 left hook / hing things at the back ( 15mm bolt )  and the light ( 3 Phillips screws )

After all is removed just pull the plastic panel away from the bed. 

The hardest part is getting a tap on the light wire ( streamly short ) not much room to work with. 

When you do get connected to the correct wire ( not BOTH like I did ) ground it to check if the lights will come on.  I then ran my tapped wire down the side of the bed between the metal and plastic.  Used Black duct tape to hold it in place ( no rattles ) and out the back to your switch / pin.

Let me know if you need better instructions.

Keep you top on. 

B

[BNASTY]

Cargo light pin switch is complete.   :woot:    :woot:

I'll snap some photos later or just show you at the Lamberts GTG.

B

[yndio]

Hey B, went out to the av and didn't see how I could get the plastic piece off to get to the lights let alone the wiring without having to take off the camper.  Let me know.  Thanks.

Yndio

[BNASTY]

Yndio.

Drop your tailgate, climb into the bed, locate the light ( it should be held on by 3 screws ) the plastic that the light is screwed to is what I removed.  There are approx. 12-18 small, round, pushpin type plugs that are very easy to remove. ( round cap with 3 small cutouts in it about the size of a dime ) Poke something small into one of the 3 holes in the pin and pry it out of a larger housing ( about the size of a quarter ) Once the pin is out the outer ring will pull out of the plastic side panel with a simple tug. 

Fold your bed mat in half to give more Clarence at the bottom. 

Corner drain cup is held on with 2 different type push pin clips, similar to the side panel ( but different, don't mix )

Grab the drain rail at the top of bed wall and pull down. ( about 8 metal push clips  hold it in also very easy )

Remove the 2 hinge / hook things near the tailgate ( 15mm bolt ) after bolt is removed, pull hinge up to remove.

One plug between the 2 hinge / hook things that just popped off with a little prying.

All of the fasteners are out, the drain rail and cup is out, the entire plastic wall should be loose and you can pull it away from the bed side,  Pull from the bottom ( with the bed mat folded away its easier ) 

You should be able to access the light and be able to run any wire you wish. 

Good luck Bro.  Let me know if you need more help.

( If I was a professional moder I would have taken pix along the way for ya )   

B