Need help with wiring project
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
so is the relay waterproof? and can I use it with LED's
yes, and yes. just mount the relay so the wire blades are pointed down. if pointed up, the relays tend to collect water
as for LED's...they need a resistor to keep from burning out. LEDs - underbody kits, cathodes, flexible LED strips, dome lights is a excellent place to buy them. already wired and ready to go with resistors
Highlight switch means I need to rip the dash apart? I dont know if I want to attempt that!
easy, hook your finger into the crack of the black plastic section that houses the headlight switch. it just pulls right out...4 little snap retainers and presto, it's opened up
and I dont think im gonna need all those jumpers and blocks, just installing some lights in the bed with a switch in the back to turn on and off, when I need the light.
you asked for a good way to wire your lights. this is the best way. easy, safe and very effective
yes, and yes. just mount the relay so the wire blades are pointed down. if pointed up, the relays tend to collect water
as for LED's...they need a resistor to keep from burning out. LEDs - underbody kits, cathodes, flexible LED strips, dome lights is a excellent place to buy them. already wired and ready to go with resistors
Highlight switch means I need to rip the dash apart? I dont know if I want to attempt that!
easy, hook your finger into the crack of the black plastic section that houses the headlight switch. it just pulls right out...4 little snap retainers and presto, it's opened up
and I dont think im gonna need all those jumpers and blocks, just installing some lights in the bed with a switch in the back to turn on and off, when I need the light.
you asked for a good way to wire your lights. this is the best way. easy, safe and very effective
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 2
From: Fort Wayne, IN
I always cover the distro boxes. Radioshack sells waterproof project boxes from micro to huge, and that's what I've used. I am biased to distro boxes because I love expansion. This is what i'm planning to do to put lights on my Expedition.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
Which is not something im gonna want.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
Looking into the bed..Ive run both the Pos/Neg to the back of the truck and then down the hole that is at the very top and to the inside of the bed (you have to be in the bed to see the hole or look around the corner). Then across the frame where there is some factory wiring and loom to the other side and then back up to the other hole that is in the same location as on the other side. Thats as far as ive got.
Sorry no pictures as it got dark.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Sudbury, Ontario
well in that case i would pick a good spot for a ground if you have the wires pick a spot inside the cab so you never have to worry about it being corrided off and then run your power off the cigrette power with the switch.
i assumed that you were wiring in some off road lights or driving lights, if your concered about the power draw wire in a relay, but not likely your going to use the cig power and the lights at the same time so you should have enough power current (amps)
another idea is to run source wire on a relay off the white lights in the thrid brake light so your bed lights come on like magic with those lights or the interior lights
the nice thing about leds is they last forever and take very little power
i assumed that you were wiring in some off road lights or driving lights, if your concered about the power draw wire in a relay, but not likely your going to use the cig power and the lights at the same time so you should have enough power current (amps)
another idea is to run source wire on a relay off the white lights in the thrid brake light so your bed lights come on like magic with those lights or the interior lights
the nice thing about leds is they last forever and take very little power
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
Yeah that would be a good idea to, except not be a wiring guru I didnt want to get in over my head, im assuming I would have to tap into those wires somewhere. The other thing is are they gonna turn off automatically like the light does now after a few minutes?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Sudbury, Ontario
yah you would have to tap into the power wire somewhere. and if you did it that way whenever the security lights (lights in brake light) were on your box lights would be on, and when there off everything is off. it would be nice and cant forget them on that way
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
I agree with 98greensi.
then there would be no switch or anything else complicated and no chance of leaving them on by accident
plus, at night and if you need the LED's for a few seconds more, just hit the unlock on your remote and they'll pop right back on
then there would be no switch or anything else complicated and no chance of leaving them on by accident
plus, at night and if you need the LED's for a few seconds more, just hit the unlock on your remote and they'll pop right back on
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
Anybody know a good way to get the wires from the rear of the truck to the front of the truck to the battery.
Factory loom runs down the drivers side but battery is on the left.
Could run some loom down on the passenger side, but will be closer to exhaust, plus im not sure how I would get it tied down to the frame.
Fords fully boxed frame doesnt allow you to use the frame for a rail to hide the wires.
Factory loom runs down the drivers side but battery is on the left.
Could run some loom down on the passenger side, but will be closer to exhaust, plus im not sure how I would get it tied down to the frame.
Fords fully boxed frame doesnt allow you to use the frame for a rail to hide the wires.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
You can use something like these to secure the wiring with zip ties; RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Wire & cable management: Wire clips & holders: Wire-Tie Mounts (10-Pack)
or these; RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Wire & cable management: Wire clips & holders: Universal Wire Clips (10-Pack)
They are self adhesive and should stick to the frame rails.
or these; RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Wire & cable management: Wire clips & holders: Universal Wire Clips (10-Pack)
They are self adhesive and should stick to the frame rails.