I recently tried to retrieve something from the front of my covered bed. The lights near the tailgate were almost useless. The lights you added looked great.
Don, I'm not always a fan of all of the mods you do, but I do really like this one and think it turned out really well. It's sort of a shame that beds aren't lit like this from the factory for the price of these vehicles, but oh well. Nicely done sir. Thanks, Brian
No worries. Not all of my mods are going to be desired by everyone. I try to show people how they can consider doing things and choose what works, or doesn’t work for them.
Nice bed light job. I'm adding it to my Donslife to do list. Its amazing how much thought has to be put into these new trucks just to do a simple lighting project without causing some sort of truck problem. I don't expect GM to offer any help or solutions either. I'll end my rant with this... just how much extra would it have been to add these nice LED light to the bed as GM was building the truck? I have the same Boost mod so when I do mine they should respond the same.
Some people report blinking so if that happens, just add a $5 relay. I have a video where this happened to with the 3 strand setup. The current requirements seem to be right on the edge of the circuit’s tolerances. Adding a relay is no big deal if required.
Awesome stuff Don...exactly what I was looking for. And still plenty of light with only the two strips. I'm guessing there was enough wire to run across the front of the bed to connect the two strips?
Jellyfish launcher is what I call it. My daughter just shakes her head at me when I do. 😂 I’ve been hesitant to do this because I didn’t want to install the relay. Maybe I’ll give it a shot with the two strip version.
The switch it comes with still operates but if you want them to come on whenever you want, you’d need to run wires to the battery. Using both methods simultaneously would require some additional steps. I could do it with a strategically placed diode, but using the method I demonstrated is good enough for my use.
Let me get your opinion real quick ima wrap my 2019 Sierra 1500 elevation, ima do Matt tan with black accents for like the mirrors and front grill areas but in the black camo you did for your truck
@@Donslife okay good it’s a thought I think will look cool and unique. Also slow down in mods I can’t keep up my wallet can’t keep up 🤣🤣🤣 I’ll just ship you my truck with a list and pay you that way 🤣🤣 that way you get content and money x2
Hi Don. Great video as always. What bulbs do you have installed on both sides of the center mounted stop light? Those are way brighter than the stock ones.
Why did you not run the lights opposite so the cable started at the back of the truck ? Maybe I missed something in the video, thanks for your content!11
Here is the first video, and yes a wire tap can work for splicing. Affordable Truck Bed LED Lighting: Easy Install Guide ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.html
I have that exact same kit for my Lariat Ranger, no need to say I didn't use the bulkhead strip 😂 the sides are long enough to reach jn the middle of the bulkhead
So I just added those exact same lights to my truck and mines a 2020 GMC 3.0 diesel but for some reason my lights blink three times and shut off. Why do you think mine would overload it and yours doesn’t?
You might need a relay to grab more power for the lights. Watch my original 3 strip video, it shows how to add a relay. It will give you all the power you’ll need. One day mine could act up, and I will add a relay. ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.htmlsi=xq3PqaHya2qTkPK_
@@Donslife I actually just started watching that right now. Thank you very much for getting back to me. I truly appreciate it. Thank you for all the great content that you do and put on a love watching it.
Since you're using the built-in cargo lights to turn the new LEDs on/off, you don't need the additional switch in-line with everything. You can cut the switch out and do a direct wire connection to the cargo lights. If you cut the wire going to the switch, it has the two wires (red & black) inside of it that you can use to extend and run to the cargo light wires. That's what I did on my Silverado since I was also using the built-in cargo lights to turn them on/off. I'm not sure how yours are working without the relay, though. I tried splicing directly to the cargo lights on their own and there was not enough power so the lights would not stay on. I had to use the relay to draw power from the battery for the 2 LED strips like you were doing before.
I had the same question (splicing wires to skip the relay) and my 2 strips are also working great using the bed cargo light. This is one of the bed aftermarket mods and setups I’ve ever seen
Can the strips be cut/shortened? 48ish inches would be just about perfect for my bed. And the connections I had were very positional. Do you know if they can be bio added? (Cut and splice direct to cargo light? LOVE this setup and have shown it to several others
The brand I used doesn’t advertise that they are able to be trimmed shorter. You can run some strips directly to the cargo light circuit but if they draw too much current, you’ll need to add a relay to draw more current from the battery directly.
Right here my friend: Installation & Review / The Best Retractable ELECTRIC Truck Tonneau / Bed Cover By EGR RollTrac! ruclips.net/video/MOiuVZc8H3w/видео.html
Sooo, I have the exact same light kit and wired it the same way as you did and unfortunately they flashed and turned off😢. I have a 2019 Silverado. Why do you think this happened?
Isnt there a bed light connection you could tap into? My gmc canyon has a pig tail under the left side basically right by the wheel well cover. even Comes with a connector and wires. Also it works with the bed light button inside so no need for a switch. I have the same light kit going to be putting it on soon but strip is to big to put going across.
@@iTTzSmokie do you get a kickback from Boost Auto for the cargo light mod kit? I bought and installed the kit and still have the same problem as before. The lights blink 3 times and shut off. Am I missing something? I would really like to make this work without the relay. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a 2021 AT4 and I purchased the same Nilight kit you just installed, and hooked it up exactly the same as you did but my lights flash 3 times and shut off. Any thoughts? Oh and by the way, after watching most of your videos I have almost every mod you installed on my AT4.
You might need a relay to grab more power for the lights. Watch my original 3 strip video, it shows how to add a relay. It will give you all the power you’ll need. One day mine could act up, and I will add a relay.
This happened to me with the 3 strip setup. Just add a $5 relay and you'll be fine. Here is the video for the 3 strip I made where I used a relay: ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.html
Sound like you will need to add a relay so it takes power from the battery to run them. This is what happened on my 3 strand. Here is a video that should help: ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.htmlsi=zK8b-k7DLsrxsUYc
Ran the same lights. Tested them to the battery and they look great. Maybe a first world problem but an awesome addition! I was about to start wrapping up the wiring. I have the same set up with the step lights and the all light mod (well worth the 20 bucks and the 5 minutes to install), but thought I would reach out and see now that some time has passed if you've had any issue with not enough juice to drive the lights/flashing. Any issues? Appreciate all the time and effort you put in!
I did finish all the lights. I had the flashing light issue. Wired a simple relay, a bit more of a pain but was worth it. One note. Even after running the relay, lights did not function properly? My truck is a 2019, a bit older. Solution at that point was pretty obvious. Thin black wire was not providing sufficient ground. Quick ground jumper and all was great. It begs the question if others had the flashing light issue could it have been remedied just by adding a sufficient ground. My AT4 is a 2019, a bit older. After the light install I bit the bullet and bought the blade light bar. I dropped the spare just to make some room and exercise the cable reel a bit since I had never even lowered it. Surprisingly, there was considerable rust and flaking on the crossmembers, so I wire brushed them and sprayed some undercoating. In the process and during the light install, I noticed two ground wires that exit the loom and screw to a part of the thin metal rear crossmember. There was a lot of corrosion and the one wire, which I assume is for the lighting circuit, is a very thin gauge and the connection poor. Thinking maybe your newer truck just had a better ground and that is why the exact same lights worked with no issue but others get the flashing. Two lights ok, three maybe too much. Just thought I would chime in in case it helps someone down the road. Thanks again for sharing all you projects!
@@iTTzSmokie do you get a kickback from Boost Auto for the cargo light mod kit? I bought and installed the kit and still have the same problem as before. The lights blink 3 times and shut off. Am I missing something?
Don, exactly what is different versus your previous install from a year ago? Both products are Nilight. Did they specifically release a new version that could run off the taillight tap without a relay? (You didn't mention reusing the relay for this install.) Or is this just a re install of the same product to get it down on the rails of the tonneau cover? I notice that you didn't re install the third run across the front of the bed. Was this just personal preference, or was not using that third run what allowed you to not use the relay. TIA😊
Essentially the same product but only 2 strips, which seem to work within the existing tolerance of the tapped circuit. I didn’t end up adding the relay, but if it ever acts up, I can add one in.
Hey Don, I just installed the 2 Nilight strips onto my ‘20 1500 Denali, just like your video. Unfortunately I got the dreaded 3 blinks and shut off. I will install the relay but I am confused on where to wire the ground from the light fuse. The trigger + goes to 86, trigger ground goes to 85, light + to 87, battery + to 30, so where does the light ground go, to 85 as well? Thanks for all the great mod videos and I watch again as I am doing my mod installs (the simple ones 😀).
@@iTTzSmokie do you get a kickback from Boost Auto for the cargo light mod kit? I bought and installed the kit and still have the same problem as before. The lights blink 3 times and shut off. Am I missing something?
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Probably the most used mod for my bed so far. Well done.
Funny community we truck owners….. I call the cargo light switch, the Jelly fish launcher.
Did the same thing in my bed all for 60 bucks
Plus I ran apiece on the front too. going strong for 3 yrs now
Perfect timing. I got this same kit for my 2500 for Christmas.
Good to see the AT4 Back!
It never left my friend 😊
I recently tried to retrieve something from the front of my covered bed. The lights near the tailgate were almost useless. The lights you added looked great.
Weird I have a 8ft bed with the factory lighting and it lights my entire bed up 🤷♂️
Don, I'm not always a fan of all of the mods you do, but I do really like this one and think it turned out really well. It's sort of a shame that beds aren't lit like this from the factory for the price of these vehicles, but oh well. Nicely done sir. Thanks, Brian
No worries. Not all of my mods are going to be desired by everyone. I try to show people how they can consider doing things and choose what works, or doesn’t work for them.
Nice bed light job.
I'm adding it to my Donslife to do list.
Its amazing how much thought has to be put into these new trucks just to do a simple lighting project without causing some sort of truck problem. I don't expect GM to offer any help or solutions either. I'll end my rant with this... just how much extra would it have been to add these nice LED light to the bed as GM was building the truck?
I have the same Boost mod so when I do mine they should respond the same.
Great tutorial! Just purchased the lights on Amazon from your link and can’t wait to install.
Some people report blinking so if that happens, just add a $5 relay. I have a video where this happened to with the 3 strand setup. The current requirements seem to be right on the edge of the circuit’s tolerances. Adding a relay is no big deal if required.
Nice job
Happy New Year's 🎉
Happy New Year! 🎉
Looks good Don!!
Thanks man!
Awesome stuff Don...exactly what I was looking for. And still plenty of light with only the two strips. I'm guessing there was enough wire to run across the front of the bed to connect the two strips?
All of the wiring was long enough
Jellyfish launcher is what I call it. My daughter just shakes her head at me when I do. 😂
I’ve been hesitant to do this because I didn’t want to install the relay. Maybe I’ll give it a shot with the two strip version.
@scottinak Did you do the insall? Did it work without the relay?
@@robertswanson9863 I never did attempt this.
So will the switch still work with it wired up that way?
The switch it comes with still operates but if you want them to come on whenever you want, you’d need to run wires to the battery. Using both methods simultaneously would require some additional steps. I could do it with a strategically placed diode, but using the method I demonstrated is good enough for my use.
Let me get your opinion real quick ima wrap my 2019 Sierra 1500 elevation, ima do Matt tan with black accents for like the mirrors and front grill areas but in the black camo you did for your truck
I like the idea!
@@Donslife okay good it’s a thought I think will look cool and unique. Also slow down in mods I can’t keep up my wallet can’t keep up 🤣🤣🤣 I’ll just ship you my truck with a list and pay you that way 🤣🤣 that way you get content and money x2
Off-topic were the square led lights on the hood already on their or did u put them on and do u have a video of u putting them on their
Here is one of a few videos for the add on:
"Upgrade Your Truck's Lighting: LED Pod DIY Guide"
ruclips.net/video/SChkEK-RlUE/видео.html
Hi Don. Great video as always. What bulbs do you have installed on both sides of the center mounted stop light? Those are way brighter than the stock ones.
All Factory LED’s on this one. They can’t be upgraded/replaced. The camera maybe has it appear brighter
How did you do the unlock turn on the bed light mod?
This video here:
Cargo Light Mod GMC Sierra & Chevrolet Silverado
ruclips.net/video/8iX2Tyrry18/видео.html
Why did you not run the lights opposite so the cable started at the back of the truck ? Maybe I missed something in the video, thanks for your content!11
I wanted the terminated ends of the strips to face the open end of the box. Less cables and wires showing.
don, great video. Do you have a video of where you ran to the battery for power? And splicing into the rear cargo lights...would a wire tap work?
Here is the first video, and yes a wire tap can work for splicing.
Affordable Truck Bed LED Lighting: Easy Install Guide
ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.html
I have that exact same kit for my Lariat Ranger, no need to say I didn't use the bulkhead strip 😂 the sides are long enough to reach jn the middle of the bulkhead
So I just added those exact same lights to my truck and mines a 2020 GMC 3.0 diesel but for some reason my lights blink three times and shut off. Why do you think mine would overload it and yours doesn’t?
You might need a relay to grab more power for the lights. Watch my original 3 strip video, it shows how to add a relay. It will give you all the power you’ll need. One day mine could act up, and I will add a relay.
ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.htmlsi=xq3PqaHya2qTkPK_
@@Donslife I actually just started watching that right now. Thank you very much for getting back to me. I truly appreciate it. Thank you for all the great content that you do and put on a love watching it.
@@Donslife do you have a particular relay that you like? Which one did you use for that job?
@nateporter8091 A simple one like this is fine : amzn.to/495d9PF
Since you're using the built-in cargo lights to turn the new LEDs on/off, you don't need the additional switch in-line with everything. You can cut the switch out and do a direct wire connection to the cargo lights. If you cut the wire going to the switch, it has the two wires (red & black) inside of it that you can use to extend and run to the cargo light wires. That's what I did on my Silverado since I was also using the built-in cargo lights to turn them on/off.
I'm not sure how yours are working without the relay, though. I tried splicing directly to the cargo lights on their own and there was not enough power so the lights would not stay on. I had to use the relay to draw power from the battery for the 2 LED strips like you were doing before.
Mine seems to be allowing enough power for 2 strips. If I run into an issue I will add the relay into the mix again
I had the same question (splicing wires to skip the relay) and my 2 strips are also working great using the bed cargo light. This is one of the bed aftermarket mods and setups I’ve ever seen
Which bed liner do you have on the truck?
Can the strips be cut/shortened? 48ish inches would be just about perfect for my bed. And the connections I had were very positional. Do you know if they can be bio added? (Cut and splice direct to cargo light? LOVE this setup and have shown it to several others
The brand I used doesn’t advertise that they are able to be trimmed shorter. You can run some strips directly to the cargo light circuit but if they draw too much current, you’ll need to add a relay to draw more current from the battery directly.
This is awesome, what is the brand and model of the bed cover
Right here my friend:
Installation & Review / The Best Retractable ELECTRIC Truck Tonneau / Bed Cover By EGR RollTrac!
ruclips.net/video/MOiuVZc8H3w/видео.html
@@Donslife thanks
Sooo, I have the exact same light kit and wired it the same way as you did and unfortunately they flashed and turned off😢. I have a 2019 Silverado. Why do you think this happened?
Isnt there a bed light connection you could tap into? My gmc canyon has a pig tail under the left side basically right by the wheel well cover. even Comes with a connector and wires. Also it works with the bed light button inside so no need for a switch. I have the same light kit going to be putting it on soon but strip is to big to put going across.
I am not aware of any prewiring on this platform. It would be a bonus if that existed
“Let’s go” 🎉🎉🎉
How did you run wire at front of box?
I have a box cover so a portion is covered at all times. The video shows this
@@Donslifethank you sir
Hey there Don, working this project, and it's determined that I'm gonna have to install the relay. Do you have video of your relay install?
Here is the first video
Affordable Truck Bed LED Lighting: Easy Install Guide
ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.html
if you do the cargo light mod first it will give it enough power to run two led strips with no relay
@@iTTzSmokie do you get a kickback from Boost Auto for the cargo light mod kit? I bought and installed the kit and still have the same problem as before. The lights blink 3 times and shut off. Am I missing something? I would really like to make this work without the relay. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Ordered! Hopefully won’t need the relay, but ok if I do 😊
My lights flash and then turn off .. do I need to connect to battery for more power and a relay?
Yes 👍
I have a 2021 AT4 and I purchased the same Nilight kit you just installed, and hooked it up exactly the same as you did but my lights flash 3 times and shut off. Any thoughts? Oh and by the way, after watching most of your videos I have almost every mod you installed on my AT4.
You might need a relay to grab more power for the lights. Watch my original 3 strip video, it shows how to add a relay. It will give you all the power you’ll need. One day mine could act up, and I will add a relay.
Tried to hook up on my 2019 gmc sierra. The same as you. Mine came on flashed a couple times and went off. Suggestions??
This happened to me with the 3 strip setup. Just add a $5 relay and you'll be fine. Here is the video for the 3 strip I made where I used a relay:
ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.html
Tried hookin up the way you did on 2019 gmc sierra they came on flashed a couple rimes and went off. Suggestions??
Sound like you will need to add a relay so it takes power from the battery to run them. This is what happened on my 3 strand. Here is a video that should help:
ruclips.net/video/F_tpC-rdEsE/видео.htmlsi=zK8b-k7DLsrxsUYc
Ran the same lights. Tested them to the battery and they look great. Maybe a first world problem but an awesome addition!
I was about to start wrapping up the wiring. I have the same set up with the step lights and the all light mod (well worth the 20 bucks and the 5 minutes to install), but thought I would reach out and see now that some time has passed if you've had any issue with not enough juice to drive the lights/flashing.
Any issues?
Appreciate all the time and effort you put in!
I did finish all the lights. I had the flashing light issue. Wired a simple relay, a bit more of a pain but was worth it. One note. Even after running the relay, lights did not function properly?
My truck is a 2019, a bit older. Solution at that point was pretty obvious. Thin black wire was not providing sufficient ground. Quick ground jumper and all was great. It begs the question if others had the flashing light issue could it have been remedied just by adding a sufficient ground.
My AT4 is a 2019, a bit older. After the light install I bit the bullet and bought the blade light bar. I dropped the spare just to make some room and exercise the cable reel a bit since I had never even lowered it. Surprisingly, there was considerable rust and flaking on the crossmembers, so I wire brushed them and sprayed some undercoating. In the process and during the light install, I noticed two ground wires that exit the loom and screw to a part of the thin metal rear crossmember. There was a lot of corrosion and the one wire, which I assume is for the lighting circuit, is a very thin gauge and the connection poor. Thinking maybe your newer truck just had a better ground and that is why the exact same lights worked with no issue but others get the flashing. Two lights ok, three maybe too much.
Just thought I would chime in in case it helps someone down the road.
Thanks again for sharing all you projects!
if you do the cargo light mod first it will give it enough power to run two led strips with no relay
@@iTTzSmokie do you get a kickback from Boost Auto for the cargo light mod kit? I bought and installed the kit and still have the same problem as before. The lights blink 3 times and shut off. Am I missing something?
Which is the mod to turn on with the key fob?
Right here sir:
Cargo Light Mod GMC Sierra & Chevrolet Silverado
ruclips.net/video/8iX2Tyrry18/видео.html
I noticed that you didn’t run any of the third light run for the head of the bed.
There is no third light
This is a 2pc kit instead of the 3 piece which required the addition of a relay
@@Donslife, I realized that now and forgot that you talked about the 3 pc light set at the beginning of the video.
Lit!
Don, exactly what is different versus your previous install from a year ago? Both products are Nilight. Did they specifically release a new version that could run off the taillight tap without a relay? (You didn't mention reusing the relay for this install.) Or is this just a re install of the same product to get it down on the rails of the tonneau cover? I notice that you didn't re install the third run across the front of the bed. Was this just personal preference, or was not using that third run what allowed you to not use the relay. TIA😊
Essentially the same product but only 2 strips, which seem to work within the existing tolerance of the tapped circuit. I didn’t end up adding the relay, but if it ever acts up, I can add one in.
Hey Don, I just installed the 2 Nilight strips onto my ‘20 1500 Denali, just like your video. Unfortunately I got the dreaded 3 blinks and shut off. I will install the relay but I am confused on where to wire the ground from the light fuse. The trigger + goes to 86, trigger ground goes to 85, light + to 87, battery + to 30, so where does the light ground go, to 85 as well? Thanks for all the great mod videos and I watch again as I am doing my mod installs (the simple ones 😀).
if you do the cargo light mod first it will give it enough power to run two led strips with no relay
@@iTTzSmokie Thanks for the info!
@@iTTzSmokie do you get a kickback from Boost Auto for the cargo light mod kit? I bought and installed the kit and still have the same problem as before. The lights blink 3 times and shut off. Am I missing something?
@@robertswanson9863 same problem here... bought the "cargo light mod" and still doesn't work. I don't want to use a relay!
Could you just use wire connectors instead of soldering the wires?
Yes
Perfect for when you need to smuggle people in the bed of the truck, so they can still read a book. 😂😂
Is this an offer?
If so….dont forget to install a iPhone bed charging station 😂
Installed , but they do not turn on🤷♂️
We call it a jelly fish launcher
This is first world problems. Dude grab a flashlight.