Any way to have bed lights automatically turn on when I open the tailgate?

[CrudeBacon77]

Is there a way to have the truck bed lights automatically turn on when I open the tailgate? Or a button to do so other than the one by the driver seat?

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[G L Rockwell]

Is there a way to have the truck bed lights automatically turn on when I open the tailgate? Or a button to do so other than the one by the driver seat?

Be cool if there was.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

If it's just a button, you could parallel off of it, 2 wires to a contact type button that rests against the tailgate. When opened, it would activate. So, yes you could do it, but it's not a BestBuy type install.

 

[HyperM3]

I think there might be a way in forscan to code that in. Now you got me interested in figuring this out.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

I think there might be a way in forscan to code that in. Now you got me interested in figuring this out.

It's not an option, So, how are you gonna enable something that doesn't exist?

 

[HyperM3]

It's not an option, So, how are you gonna enable something that doesn't exist?

There could be an option to enable a trigger to turn on the bed lights when it recognizes the tailgate has been opened.

 

[fordgt]

You can buy aftermarket LED kits that either have an on/off switch that fits the existing hole near the electrical outlets. Run a positive up to the battery and hook it to the switch. Then run your lights.
there are other kits that have a contact switch. The instructions involved drilling holes in the tailgate and/ or body. I lost interest in that so I don’t know much about it.

 

[DesertBumAZ]

It's not an option, So, how are you gonna enable something that doesn't exist?

If the bed lights turn on with zone lighting, there might be a way to get them on with the exterior curtesy lights

 

[fordgt]

I ran my new bed lights with power from the battery. There is a programmable switch up near the battery and I have a remote on my keychain and one just inside my tailgate. They can be programmed to turn on/off or on up to 99 minutes..

 

[craigc]

I ran my new bed lights with power from the battery. There is a programmable switch up near the battery and I have a remote on my keychain and one just inside my tailgate. They can be programmed to turn on/off or on up to 99 minutes..

what do you mean by programmable switch? where is this located? Can you share what lights you purchased that include the remote?

 

[fordgt]

My lighting project is custom built not a kit. The lights are 12” Kingpin lights. I bought a couple switch kits from Amazon to determine what I needed. One switch is not waterproof. I went with that because it is programmable. You can set it to be on/off or on/ off after a set time. (Couple seconds to 99 minutes I think). The other switch set had 2 waterproof switches but they were strictly on/off. Turns out the remotes for that kit can be programmed to work with programmable switch so I am going to keep both sets. They are $20 or less per set. I mounted one in the taillight area and one on my keychain. The one in the tailgate is currently set for A on/2 minutes and B on/off.
I wired the switch I am using up near the battery where it should be fairly well protected and covered all the terminals with dielectric grease.

 

[RacerX]

This isn't for the factory lights, but aftermarket led strip with magnetic sensor on the tailgate.

 

[Jeffola]

how about a mercury (tilt) switch inside the tailgate?

 

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

how about a mercury (tilt) switch inside the tailgate?

That's too easy. How about a repurposed Wiimote or Sixaxis controller as a positioning sensor?

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