Adding Factory Style Bed Lighting STX

[emag1286]

I've been looking to add Factory Style Bed Lights to my 21 F150 STX, which did not come with factory options for Bed Lighting. I looked at the Starkey Option, but at $150 the price was way too high for someone on a budget. Watching the install video I realized that there had to be a cheaper option. Turns out there is! If you're a little bit handy with some wiring and spade connectors. I ended up cutting spade connectors in half and using it like a bullet connector. Fit it around the pins from the $16 amazon lights and we're off to the races!

All the stuff I'll use:

Lights: https://a.co/d/e7DICMB
(Any 2015+ Bed Light Replacements will fit)

Wiring: https://a.co/d/bkedKZk

Heat Shrink: https://a.co/d/7t5C7Ho

Wiring Loom (I used cheap Harbor Freight loom that I already had): https://a.co/d/4lRPNZG

Connectors you'll need:

4 - Female Spade Connectors
1 - T-Tap Connector
1 - Eye Hook Connector
6 - Butt Connectors

I'll be using the wiring approach from the Starkey video (link below)

If you're starting from scratch it'll be about a $50-60 project. Fortunately I had most of these items already, the only thing I had to order was wiring and the lights themselves so my cost will end up being closer to $30, hopefully not bad for a modification that will look like a factory option.

FYI - I will add some additional heat shrink to the spade connector to make sure it's completely insulated, but I ran out of the right size to cover the entire thing.

Install is going to happen this weekend so I'll add pictures on the completed project when it's done.

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[emag1286]

Here’s the final result! Ran all the wiring through the frame from the roof light. Then spliced the two lights together. Hope this helps anyone trying to do it on the cheap!

 

[Pedaldude]

Man; looks like the lights are already unavailable. I would have ordered a set or two.

I wonder if they were ones that slipped out the backdoor of a factory that makes them for OEM or an aftermarket supplier?

Or, they just ran out. It looks like pretty low stock on most of their other items. Running out of parts is a pretty common theme these days!

I thought it was an overpriced option for whatever little it was when I ordered my truck in late 2020!

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

If you’re trying to do it on the cheap, you should do something along the lines of this. Rock lights and a bed switch, using factory locations

Only spent ~$20! If you have any questions please ask.

 

[emag1286]

Man; looks like the lights are already unavailable. I would have ordered a set or two.

I wonder if they were ones that slipped out the backdoor of a factory that makes them for OEM or an aftermarket supplier?

Or, they just ran out. It looks like pretty low stock on most of their other items. Running out of parts is a pretty common theme these days!

I thought it was an overpriced option for whatever little it was when I ordered my truck in late 2020!

These are the exact same lights, but from eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4031792084...7oj-w8kr82&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[jmorriz]

If you want to be factory, TascaParts .com has the lights and the factory wire jumpers that connect to your existing connectors under the truck. I order the switch from ford. installed in minutes and had to do a few tweaks in Forscan to turn them on. Now they work like factory lights.

 

[mdomicolo]

If you want to be factory, TascaParts .com has the lights and the factory wire jumpers that connect to your existing connectors under the truck. I order the switch from ford. installed in minutes and had to do a few tweaks in Forscan to turn them on. Now they work like factory lights.

I would like to do this in my fathers 23‘ XLT, do you happen to have the ForScan changes saved somewhere? I’m guessing I just need the parts above & the OEM bed switch and I should be good.

 

[jmorriz]

I believe this is the forscan line code I used.

Also believe this is the switch part number.
FL3Z-9C888B

 

[Lricaud81]

Glad to see there's other options for the bed lights

 

[Graygoose2021]

Ohhh, new mod...

 

[BigShan808]

I went with the Starkey Products kit. Plug-n-play, no splicing, tapping or re-wiring.

 

[lrequa92]

If you want to be factory, TascaParts .com has the lights and the factory wire jumpers that connect to your existing connectors under the truck. I order the switch from ford. installed in minutes and had to do a few tweaks in Forscan to turn them on. Now they work like factory lights.

Did your STX have the connectors at each corner to plug in to? My 21 STX does not appear to have them...

 

[24STX]

My 2024 STX does not have the dummy plugs to tie into

 

[Lricaud81]

My 2024 STX does not have the dummy plugs to tie into

I copied the Starkey kit and made my own. Have roughly $40 in it and that's being generous. Now I don't have the button they come on when you hit unlock or open a door or turn on cargo lamps. Mines a 23 stx.

Pretty much did what op did

 

[24STX]

I saw that! I’m really after having them on a switch…. and would love to tie into the factory system, but I may just buy the switch FL3Z-9C888B and find a circuit in the tail light area that’s always hot and tie it in.

Anyone know of a wire that’s always hot near the bumper?

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