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cargo light switch in bed mod

mvfd03av

mvfd03av

Full Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
Messages
157
Location
Marlborough, CT
I've been searching for this mod with no luck. Not the pin switch mod,
just a switch to turn on the lights from out back. I know I've seen it in here somewhere! :E:

Can you point me in the right direction??? It does seem to be on the lighting mod FAQ either.
 
Look at pics in my sig....
 
Thanks! Thats the mod....

Know where the 'how-to' is located?

I've done the FRL and all-4 and those directions were great.
This one is next on the mod list.
Then the under-hood, and foot well lights.
 
The how to is the same as the pin switch...except use a switch of your liking.....

run one leg of switch to ground and other to one of the wires on cargo light per the pin switch method....thatyou spoke of...

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=433

that thread is loaded with info....it is about the CAFCNA magazine article on pin switch

HTH.....
 
Done! :love:
I tied in to the blue wire behind the inside sail cladding because there was no way I could get the tap-in on the wire near the light itself.
It just mean using a longer lead to that area. I put the switch where I could get to the back of it easily. Nice area behind there but I had the leads on before I inserted the switch. Did I say I have BIG hands?

Got to see first hand behind the cladding on the sail area, butt ugly, glad there's cladding! Alot of clear tape over voids in the sheet metal under the cladding.
After doing this mod and taking off the rear handhold/tie-downs, has anyone else thought it would be kool to install a rear arch that matched the cladding? ??? I'm just lookin for a good way to transport a ladder or canoe. I think I'll try half a roof rack and a receiver hitch goal-post.
 
Glad you did this...now where are pics?
 
I meant to! Switch location only. Couldn't take time to doc with pics since I had the Av in one of the firehouse bays and my other ride sitting outside, big red 2003 International 4400 Rescue body with a 530.
 

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ygm-nice mod-where did u hook up wire from? did u go to light and then back to switch(new)what is part# for the radio shack switch? thanks
 
FWIW, one of the nicest features of the remote tailgate mod by our innovative member Rod Andrews, is that the cargo light comes on when opening the tailgate or side bins, plus there is a toggle switch in the back of the bed which you can use to turn the cargo light OFF if you want to leave the tailgate open for a long period.

Thanks to Rod for a great work!

Makes me smile everytime I click that FOB remote and I hear that tailgate lock snap to attention!! :)

 
beige1 said:
ygm-nice mod-where did u hook up wire from? did u go to light and then back to switch(new)what is part# for the radio shack switch? thanks
Click to expand...
I do not remember switch number but is same as member mvfd03av after looking at the pic...

I tied into wires behind light on the side the switch is on and uses a snake to run them back behind bed sidewall stuff to the rear....

HTH

 
Ygmn,

If this mod is done. Does cargo light indicator on the instrumentation (dash) still light up to indicate that lights are on?
Still would like to have some reminder up front. More than once in a well lit structure have close tailgate w/lights on. Only to be reminder up front.

Thanks, have 03 w/o DIC.
 
On my 2002, the dash indicator does light up when the cargo lights are on because the tailgate is open.

I also had an on/off switch wired in to override the pinswitch if/when I want.
 
RENORCR said:
Ygmn,

If this mod is done. Does cargo light indicator on the instrumentation (dash) still light up to indicate that lights are on?
Still would like to have some reminder up front. More than once in a well lit structure have close tailgate w/lights on. Only to be reminder up front.

Thanks, have 03 w/o DIC.
Click to expand...

not sure on 2003...I have 2002 and has GP stated the dash thingy comes on when the cargo lights are on.....

Hopefully someone with a 2003 will answer...

HTH
 
RENORCR said:
Ygmn,

If this mod is done. Does cargo light indicator on the instrumentation (dash) still light up to indicate that lights are on?
Still would like to have some reminder up front. More than once in a well lit structure have close tailgate w/lights on. Only to be reminder up front.

Thanks, have 03 w/o DIC.
Click to expand...
I've done this mod to my 03 w/o DIC. The indicator in the instrument cluster DOES work when the lights are turned on by either switch. Works great and less filling!!! :love:
 
This is sorta off topic but as close as I can come...

I'm installing a set of PIAA 520's on my new WAAG guard...I want to "convert" the cargo light switch on the dash to control the driving lights...I'm going to convert the cargo lights to only use a switch in the bed.

Question: Does anyone know if it's possible to reprogram the display to show "Driving Lights On" rather than "Cargo On"?

Derek
 
Here is the switch that some of us have been using. I pre-connected the wires before stuffing it in and didn't have to use the nut (yet). :B:
 

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mvfd03av said:
Here is the switch that some of us have been using. I pre-connected the wires before stuffing it in and didn't have to use the nut (yet). :B:
Click to expand...
'
that looks like the switch I bought.....low profile ...good choice....
 
YGMN,
I got a question, After connecting to the "BLUE" wire just inches from the bulb - I touched to ground with my test light and only the test light came on. The cargo lights remained off. If I was to install a switch with one leg to ground and the other to the blue wire - I would expect the same results. I believe am Missing something here. PS - If one was to remove the three screws in the bed holding the light, they can easily access the blue wire.
 
Snaggle said:
YGMN,
I got a question, After connecting to the "BLUE" wire just inches from the bulb - I touched to ground with my test light and only the test light came on. The cargo lights remained off. If I was to install a switch with one leg to ground and the other to the blue wire - I would expect the same results. I believe am Missing something here. PS - If one was to remove the three screws in the bed holding the light, they can easily access the blue wire.
Click to expand...

Try testing without test light....but just put wire to ground....it worked on my 2002......good luck
 
This is one of those mods like amber drl's...everyone who is able to use a screwdriver should just do it. It's as easy as everyone says, it's cheap, nearly goof-proof, and I can't believe how I ever got along without being able to turn that light on from the back (y)
 
to see detailed dumbed down version of this install you can also see my 2 cent legacy version:

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?board=20;action=display;threadid=9285;start=msg358825#msg358825

One thing a lot of people don't mention is there is a timed relay to the blue power wire we're using here, (I believe the Avy manual mentions a 15 minute timer before the 'battery saver' auto-off function kicks in. And sometimes the switch won't work/(power on the lights, that is) for reasons I still don't understand but I know its timer-related. I think this can be remedied for the most part by opening and/or shutting the cab door to reset the timer but it doesn't always work for me. It happened to me during the install which made for a confusing install before I knew this. Nevertheless, a mah-velous mod!
 
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