Bed Liner Power Outlet

mvannie · Post by **mvannie** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 9:46 am

I have purchased an outlet to put in the bed, but being a little of a newb when it comes to trucks, and mods, I thought I had better get some advice before cutting anything, so here goes.

This is the unit I bought:

I want to put it in the bed liner of my 2003 ZR5, but I am not quite sure how to get the liner out to put a hole in it.

Second, it cone with 2 leads. The package says the the black lead (1 foot long) should go to ground, and the red lead (17 feet long) to the battery or the fuse box. I think that the lead may reach the frame of the truck, or my hitch wiring, and if not, I guess I will just extend it to reach one of those, but the other lead, should I take it to the battery, or is there somewhere else you can suggest at the back of the truck somewhere?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

AZS10Crew · Post by **AZS10Crew** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 10:21 am

I'd run it all the way to the battery or the positive terminal on the underhood fuse box...depending on which side you mount it on.

As for the bed liner, just pull it out...it's just slipped under the bed rails and not attached to anything.

Post by **HenryJ** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 12:16 pm

To remove the bed liner lift from the bottom center. This will draw the sides inward and out from under the bed sides.

As for a power source. I'd go to the under hood fuse box, add a maxi fuse for one of the un-used stud terminals.
Another option is to add a circuit breaker and attach it to a battery post much like how I mounted the power source for my winch-

mvannie · Post by **mvannie** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 1:41 pm

Thanks for the advice!

Cajun · Post by **Cajun** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:23 pm

mvinnie,

I've been thinking of doing the same mod. where did you locate you outlet? The one I found requires quite a bit of room behind the face plate. Your experience will be helpful!

Craig

jeff024 · Post by **jeff024** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:55 am

mvannie
welcome to the site

mvannie · Post by **mvannie** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:04 am

I found the outlet at Canadian Tire.

I am guessing you can't find one of those in the US.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

shift220 · Post by **shift220** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:04 pm

Not sure if you did it yet but here are some more tips. You can run the ground to the frame and it'll be fine. Just take some sandpaper or steel wool and clear a spot on the frame, then put a bolt through it. As for the positive wire, you can do what the others said and run it to the fuse box. What I would do is buy one of the those fuse holders at Canadian tire and run that inline close to the battery.

Depending on where you install it, i'm thinking 17 feet won't be long enough to reach the battery if you run it underneath the truck along the frame. If not just get some wire thats the same gauge or larger.

S10CREW01 · Post by **S10CREW01** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:20 am

Some helpful information for this MOD can be found here

Cajun · Post by **Cajun** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:35 am

thanks for the input. my original question was regarding finding a void between the plastic bed liner and the steel truck bed large enough to accommodate the depth of the socket and wiring. i may just install the outlet on the right side of the license plate in the bumper, but it would be nice to have it located out of the public eye.

Craig

mvannie · Post by **mvannie** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:00 pm

Sorry, I misunderstood you.

I placed the outlet in the bed liner near the tailgate close to the hole that is there for the tie down. I was able to find sufficient clearance back there for the outlet.

I will try to get a photo for you (if I can get the tailgate open cause it may be frozen shut right now)