Pleased how this turned out. I bought the lights off of Amazon for $60, then realized I would need to turn them on from the dash, which is inconvenient. So, I purchased a momentary switch, which is brass, waterproof, and had a rubber boot so it wouldn't mar the step. That way, the lights come on when you lower the step, and shut off when it's raised. Now there's no need to turn the on from the dash. But wait a minute...what if I add a photocell to the circuit so they won't come on during the day. Hmmm, checked Amazon and found one for $13, along with braided wire sleeve to make it all professional looking. Grabbed power from the 7 pin trailer plug and it works great! I did find out a few things about photocells. First, when I drop the step, it powers the circuit and the lights come on, day or night. And second, if it's daytime, it takes about 10 seconds for the photocell to react and shuts off the lights. I thought it would be instantaneous but I can live with 10 seconds. At night they will just stay on until you close the step. The only hole I had to drill was in one of the plastic covers to mount the momentary switch (larger red circle). The photocell is mounted in an empty hole on the right side hinge of the secondary tailgate (workspace shelf as some call it), on the left side of that hinge (smaller red circle).
I will probably wire in the 2 bed lights as well, and add an on-off switch for flexibility.
I will probably wire in the 2 bed lights as well, and add an on-off switch for flexibility.
I'll keep all posted.
