12v Outlet In Bed Of Truck
by christian dorton(trevelyn1015) & dave southern(wvedge2001, on genedge)


First thing's first...Go to a local auto parts store, wal mart, or marine equipment store. Find yourself the 12v outlet of your choice, styles differ, but they all basically do the same thing. We chose to get one from wal-mart. It is for marine, auto, and rv use. It claims to be water resistent, and came with about 20 feet of wire(power and ground).


---The way I chose to mount it, was under the bed caps of my Ford Ranger Edge. It seemed like an area that would not see much abuse or water. The stock bed already had holes predrilled for other accesories to bolt into. It will need a little dremeling, though.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_180_full.jpg


---We decided to first remove the rear-driver side taillight to gain easier access. Then Dave started dremeling.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_181_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_182_full.jpg


---After that, we fed the wires through the hole.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_179_full.jpg


---We(dave, my slave) then ran the red wire(power) underneath the truck, how you do this is your own personal preference. We decided to run it through the taillight hole, under the bed, inside of the frame, so to be protected. Then we(dave, my slave) ran it on the safe side of the heat shields, so it will be safe from the heat of my exhaust or engine.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_286_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_287_full.jpg


---Next, we(dave, my slave) ran the wire straight to the fuse box's power supply. Well, sorta...(read below)
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_183_full.jpg
[img]http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_285_full.jpg

---I figured if somehow, water got into the outlet, I didn't want to risk frying my whole electrical system, so we made a relay(is that what it is called) with a fuse(30 amp), we also coated all the electrical contact points with silicone to keep water from damaging it. Also, we wrapped most of the wiring with electrical tape.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_288_full.jpg

---Then, we got all the wiring tucked nicely, so it won't move around, and got started on the ground wire.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_185_full.jpg


---I thought it would be best to put it somewhere virtually invisible. So, we did it behind the taillight, we already had removed.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_184_full.jpg


---Dave dremeled a hole for our screw to feed into, then we screwed the ground wire in, after crimping it to a spare wire i had from my kc lights(on of those wires with a metal, circular end)
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_289_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_187_full.jpg


---Then, we replaced the taillight assembly, plugged in a spot light and tested it out.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_188_full.jpg


---Final, installed picture:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328249_186_full.jpg


*hope this is helpful to all, it is one of my favorite little touches...


edit: it wouldn't let me have all of the pictures in the post. for the full "how to" check out this site...
How To: 12v Outlet In The Bed Of Your Truck (http://www.generation-edge.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10698)

**RPS Admin- This Article is now on Ranger Power Sports.
12 Volt Power Supply Article (http://www.rangerpowersports.com/tech/general/12volt.shtml) **

Thats a pretty sweet idea...

Me likey very much...

How much did that cost ya ... and what kinda time did you have in it?

Later.
Cody

sweet. very sweet. would work very nicely with a tent bed.

Wow!....Dave is Sexy!

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.J/K!

Ok that's a pretty good idea.... but what are you gonna use it for?
Charge your cell phone in the bed of your truck?

You'd have to know Christian and Dave. They probably have some kind of machine gun that runs on 12v :)

Anyway, a few things come to mind:

Spotlights
air compressor
TV
Cooler
etc

i will use it for hog hunting (spotlight), camping (tv, radio, spotlight, heater, anything) and i have already found a few other uses. now, i am going to install an inverter under my dash, and run an extension cord to the bed.

it cost 10 bucks and took a little over an hour, cuz we didn't know what we were doing initially...