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dubblbubbl
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2002
11:48:47
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 Subject: 12v outlet in bed
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Message:
I have the need to install a 12v power outlet in the factory bed liner in my '02 QC. When camping I use an Igloo thermoelectric cooler which has to stay plugged in to a hot 12v source, i.e. unswitched. Has anyone done this installation? I picked it up at Wally world the other day and you have to drill a hole in the liner and run the wires to the battery and a grounding point.
Question #1 - is there a rubber plug in the Dak's bed that can be used to run the wires? or do I have to drill-n-fill a hole.
Question #2 - how do you de-install the factory bed liner. The only screws I could find are on the sides near the tailgate. Based on this, it looks like I just take them out then work the liner out from under the box rails and it pops out.
Thanks in advance for your help.
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BB2DAK
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2002
13:49:03
|  RE: 12v outlet in bed
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Message:
I have an ARE Camper shell on my truck, and we do quite a bit of camping. When I had the ARE shell installed they installed a 12Volt light in the back.
To run the power for that, they ran a wire direct from the battery using an inline circuit breaker up by the battery.The wires are routed into the bed through a hole near the left taillight.
I wanted to be able to plug in my Coleman Thermoelectric cooler. I spliced the power wire for the light, and installed a waterproof 12V power adapter in the back of the truck.
The cooler works well back there. Just remember to leave room for the vent from the thermoelectric fan, so the airflow is not blocked.
On hot days, I also open windows on the camper shell to help keep it cool.
Sorry, can't help you with the liner. I bought a 'sprayed-in' armacoat liner for my truck
www.armacoatings.com
2001 Quad Cab SLT+ 4.7L, 5-Spd, 3.55 Lsd
ARE Cap, ArmaCoat Bed-liner, Pilot PILPL119X Fog Lights
Autolite 3923's, IAT Adjuster, K&N Drop-in w/modified intake
http://members.aol.com/bsbets/truck/intake4.jpg
http://www.dodgedakota.net/albums/viewer/101.htm
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Bri
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2002
15:45:01
|  RE: 12v outlet in bed
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Message:
The bed liner should just be able to flex out. Try pulling one side of it.
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handi2
GenIII
 
3/14/2002
16:44:09
| RE: 12v outlet in bed
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Message:
On another truck (not my new one, yet) I installed the 12v outlet in the right side post next to the tailgate facing inward toward the bed. It looks like there is plenty of room on the Dakota to do the same. I think I used 12awg stranded wire from the battery with a 20 amp fuse. You can groung right at the mounting site or to the frame. I followed the harness under the truck, removed the taillight, drilled the mounting hole and was able to easily access the wiring w/the light removed. You can do this without removing the bedliner.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/handi254310/lst?.dir=/
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Available Option
Access Tonnoue Cover/Bedrug/Airaid Intake/Jet Stage 2
180 Robertshaw/Roadmaster Active Suspension
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dubblbubbl
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2002
12:15:50
|  Here's what I did...
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There was a 'post' in the bed liner where the front 'tie down loop' was located on the driver's side. I popped out the RAM plug that covers the hole where the tie-down is, which gave me access behind the liner. I then drilled a 1 1/8" hole in the rear facing side and ran the ground one of the bolts holding the cargo tie down loop (had to use 1/2" short wall socket and universal joint to get to it). Ran the hot lead behind the liner and over the top rail on the front of the bed. Then it was just a matter of running the hot wire along the frame (out of harm's way) to the engine compartment, then up along the inside of the right front wheel well. I then wired an inline fuse holder to the 'hot' terminal inside the main breaker/fuse box just behind the battery. The other end of the fuse holder wire was run through an already existing hole in the breaker box and joined to the hot wire from the outlet using wirenut which was then filled with caulk and wrapped with electrical tape to make it waterproof. The inline fuse holder is inside the main breaker box so I didn't have to use a waterproof one.
The outlet itself is two inches below the top rail and faces rearward at an angle. It has a spring loaded cover which helps keep the water out, but being that close to the top of the rail I don't think much water will ever make it there.
The total job took about 30 minutes, give or take a few. I had to use a 1" hole blade on my drill and then use a cutting bit on the Dremel to enlarge the hole to 1 1/8" (required by the outlet). You can buy 1 1/8" hole saws but the only ones I could find were for metal and cost more than $10 (too much for a one-time use item).
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dubblbubbl
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2002
15:56:06
| correction
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The hot wire is run under the driver's side of the truck and up along the left front wheel well into the engine compartment.
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