In my quest for a new used truck One of the options i really want is the bed lights. (my 15 has them. ) Can they easily be added ? (I assume the trucks are prewired for them?)

 

Yes, they can easily be added. Here are some options: https://www.starkey-products.com/col...k-bed-lighting Starkey products are excellent.

 

My 2020 has the bed lights. My 24 doesn’t. It’s not something I miss. More often than not ,the lights get blocked by cargo anyway.

 

Yes, I added the OEM ones. You need forscan or dealer to activate them in the software though.Bedlights:

ML3Z-14A411-F Wire Assembly Jumper 1

ML3Z-14A411-D Wire Assembly Jumper 1

FL3Z-9C888-B OEM Ford Bed Cargo Lamp Light Switch 1

JL3Z-13A756-A Cargo Lamp 2

 

You would have to check the wiring harness under the rear bumper to see if the connectors are in place already. If not, then you may have to swap the rear part of the harness to one that has the connectors on it. Otherwise, the info here is spot on. You didn't say what year truck you are looking at getting so it's hard to tell. My 24 didn't have the lights or the connectors under the bed but I was able to find the correct harness and add them in so it's an OEM setup.

This thread on another forum was a great help in getting the correct parts:

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thre...-lights.24141/

It can be done, just takes a little work.

 

Great info!! Thanks for posting!

 

I read all 15 pages in that thread posted above from f150gen14.com

Everyone with a 2024/25 that posted in that thread also had to replace the RL3Z-13A409(?) wire assembly. This is the main wire loom that runs across the back (behind the rear bumper) that the drivers side and passenger side jumper wires plug in to for the bed utility/cargo lights. Unless you ordered the 'bed utility' package from the factory, the main wire loom RL3Z-13A409(?) does not have the female plug receptors for the jumper wires on each side. The reason I am using the (?) is because that part number is different on XL, XLT, Tremor Lariat, etc. depending on other factory equipment. The replacement wire assembly (?) that you will need is also different depending on your original factory equipment.

For example:
I have a 2024 F150 XLT Crew Cab 5.0L. My factory cable is RL3Z-409B ......... (this cable has no female receptors plugs for jumper wires going to the lights)
My replacement cable that I ordered is RL3Z-A409E ..............(this cable has the drivers side and passenger side female receptor plugs for the wire jumpers going to the lights)

NOTE: The "B" and "E" designations for me will not be the same for anyone else unless their truck is configured just like mine. The best way to determine yours IMO is to go to a ford dealer, tascaparts.com, or fairwayford.com etc and search parts using your VIN to find your RL3Z-13A409 and see what the designation is (A,B,J,K etc.). Then you can find a truck with the same or similar designation that also has a bed utility package option and then use that VIN to perform the same search. Also, several people have posted their findings in the f150gen14.com thread above. You can scan through that thread and possibly determine what you need. I did both before ordering parts. The parts listed above (2 jumpers, the switch, and lights) will be the same for everyone.

Sorry...... just trying to point out that the primary wire loom that has to be replaced is not listed in your parts list. This is also the most expensive part of the bed light upgrade and costs more than the other parts combined. Discounted at Fairwayford.com it was about $174 and with shipping etc the total was about $185.

 

This is the kit I went with, just like OEM super easy install.


https://customautoworksstore.com/pro...kit-2015-2025/

 

It looks like a nice kit and will certainly work great ........... but.............it is NOT just like the OEM bed lighting. I do like it and might have considered it before going down the rabbit hole on the OEM bed lighting. But. I really liked the OEM bed lighting package that was included on my previous F250.

The OEM bed utility lighting is tied into other lighting functions of the truck. So when you hit your key to lock your truck, your courtesy lights in the cab, bed lights (if on), and other related lights all turn off. The OEM lights also turn off after a given period of time. etc. etc. etc.

This kit gives you the OEM look with a OEM style switch. They turn on/off with the switch only. Certainly a very good and worthwhile option but does not function the same as the OEM bed lighting install being discussed and the 15 page thread referenced above.

 

I personally do not want or need all those other functions, I needed lights to only turn on when I need them so this kit was perfect and the lights and switch fit perfect in factory location. Just providing an alternative to all the other nonsense involved with going factory route,

 

Something else to keep in mind is whether your truck has LED lights, BLIS, Onboard Scales and any other optional equipment. The "B" harness was for incandescent bulbs in the taillights without the onboard scales and having BLIS. That was the harness I had. I ordered the "E" harness and it was the correct harness for my truck. I know some of the other owners had issues with LED taillights and onboard scales causing issues with finding the correct harness. Some ordered a "P" harness and some ordered an "N" harness. You have to be very specific in your search as Ford had some different options on their trucks. I ordered it from getoemparts.com online and at the time, it was about $160. Now it's up to $192. Fairway Ford is up to $205. Another tip to installing the lights in the bed and the switch is to remove the tail light assemblies to gain access to the connectors and locations for installing the lights and switch. Makes it a whole lot easier if you have to pop one back out for some reason. Good luck and hope you find all the parts you need. I enjoy having them on my truck.