Bed step light

[vzar47a]

Love the retractable bed step, but would really like to be able to see it better when stepping down from the tailgate at night. Has anyone figured out a way to add a small light somewhere to help with this?

 

[Darkside]

Definitely got me thinking… I’ll have to look and see if there is any way of mounting a mercury switch style light to it, like some kind of hood light…

 

[vzar47a]

I was thinking about a mercury switch. Or, to keep it simple, maybe mount a small light in the area of the bumper directly above the step and wire that to the same circuit as the bed lights. I don't see an easy way to mount a light though.

 

[Darkside]

Yeah, the hard part would be to find a mounting place where the light would actually light up the step…

 

[Darkside]

Oznium Brightest Light Bolt - Flush Mount 12V LED Light for Bumper, Grille, Cars Interior, Dash, Ambient Lighting, Motorcycle w/Sleek Aluminum Housing & Screw Nut (6 mm Black, Cool White LED)
https://a.co/d/1beWWUm
Could probably mount this in the plastic under the rear bumper facing the step.

 

[dieselscout80]

That’s a good idea and one could tie it into the LED bed light circuit or the cargo lights.

 

[vzar47a]

Ordered a couple different sizes, will see which works best.

 

[vzar47a]

I am thinking that I can attach the led bolt to the step bracket, located like this. zip ties won't cut it, so need to figure out a way to more securely attach it. Alternatively, I could drill a hole in the plastic bumper and mount the bolt led there, just not sure I want to do that.

 

[Darkside]

I’m thinking I’ll probably put mine in the plastic, just have to get some time off work to get it done… I can’t see a good way to secure it otherwise…

 

[vzar47a]

I’m thinking I’ll probably put mine in the plastic, just have to get some time off work to get it done… I can’t see a good way to secure it otherwise…

Yeah, I need to get over it and just drill the plastic. There are two connectors coming down from the bed lights. One is the switch, one is the light. I will poke around, but just in case, anyone know which is which?

 

[Brutal_HO]

I am thinking that I can attach the led bolt to the step bracket, located like this. zip ties won't cut it, so need to figure out a way to more securely attach it. Alternatively, I could drill a hole in the plastic bumper and mount the bolt led there, just not sure I want to do that.
View attachment 45497

Is that the small or large one?

 

[vzar47a]

That's the large one. The small one is very small.

 

[Darkside]

I think the small one would barely be noticed in the plastic when it’s off, wonder what the actual light output is

 

[vzar47a]

I think the small one would barely be noticed in the plastic when it’s off, wonder what the actual light output is

I don't think you'd notice the big one either, since you can mount it facing directly down. Reluctant to open it up and test it since I plan to return it. I think the small one will also be more subject to being completely obscured by crud.

 

[vzar47a]

Took care of this today. Made use of the hole that exists in the step support. I bent up some 1" wide aluminum, punched a couple of holes in it, mounted the led bolt at just the right angle, and wired it up to the bed lights that are sitting in the corner right above this step. Works well enough for what I wanted.


There's plenty of slack in the wire to allow the step to fold and unfold. It will be interesting to see how dirty the led gets over time.

 

[jsalbre]

Brilliant. Should have come that way from the factory.