Tapping My Cargo Lighting

I got a topper for my bed, and built a little platform in it, but I want to give more light to the inside. Im thinking of getting some LED strips and velcroing them to the ceiling, and if possible I want to tap the cargo light (that no longer has any use) so I can turn the lights on and off from the cab. Im new to wiring and tapping and have no idea where to start. Im hoping not to cut my light out and then need to run around in my wife's car while i try and get the pieces i need to fix it. Any words of advice on how to tap the cargo wire and if i need a wattage converter to run from stock lights to LED strips?

 

Maybe consider using several of theses. I have one strip on each side of my bed under my tonneau cover. At night, when I drop the tailgate, the led lights come on. Have had them for two years...and they work great.

Available from Amazon, e trailer websites and others.

Truxedo 1704998 Truck Luggage B-Light Battery Powered 18" Tonneau Lighting System All Vehicles - Truck Luggage - Battery Powered truck bed lighting system 18"

 

Find the fuse for the cargo light and then use an add a fuse to tap into the circuit.

 

You are risking a water leak if you open up your cargo light lens

Unless you want fancy dancy swag LED mood lighting to match a shag carpet kit, just use basic battery powered LED lights- they are cheap and easy to install, last a long time too. Just put a large velcro patch on them and stick to ceiling.

 

I used these instructions to tap mine. Not sure how many amps your lights draw so use at your own risk.

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/resources/installation/TPD/my16 tacoma bed light-dio issb.pdf

 

Very incorrect advice...

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-added-lamps-to-cargo-sw.587660/

 

Meso forumn on 3rd brake light shows the wiring behind the cargo light

 

Just wired some bedlights into the factory Cargo-light switch this weekend. This thread/post helped me out immensely.....Worked perfectly for me.
Bed Light Wiring Advice? (SOLVED)

 

You should not tap the wire at the light itself. The light is installed from the inside and removing it requires dropping the headliner.

Tap the wires behind the driver’s side kick panel as shown here:

 

How is it incorrect? The LEDs he’s installing are going to be extremely low draw but if you’re worried about it then use the add a fuse as a trigger and run a relay. It’s the best way to do it without modifying the factory wiring.

 

Because the fuse is always "HOT" and before the rest of the Cargo Lamp circuit...