Matt Gecko LED Bed Lights For 3rd Gen Tacoma – Review

Lights are arguably one of the most popular modifications for our trucks.

From upgrading headlights to adding light bars, ditch lights, rock lights, and more, almost all of us have done at least one lighting upgrade to our rig. Each of these lights serves a purpose, but they also look cool. One lighting upgrade that I think is often overlooked is bed lighting.

The stock cargo light works, but barely. It’s dim and hardly noticeable in daylight, and the switch is inconveniently located in the cab. It also does absolutely nothing if you have a tonneau cover or bed rack in use.

My solution to this problem is the LED Bed Light Kit from Matt Gecko LEDs. The kit provides three LED strips that mount under the rails and hook up to a switch in the bed. It has been extremely useful, as my truck has the factory tonneau cover. Having installed this kit, I can easily say it has been one of my favorite upgrades.

Even my wife loves it! It provides all the light I need, regardless of the time of day, all at the push of a button inside the bed! So whether you have a bed rack, tonneau cover, or a wide-open bed, I’d highly recommend adding this to your list of upgrades.

What Included?

The kit is a plug-and-play setup with just a little bit of extra hands-on work. Even the most novice DIY person could complete it in just a couple of hours.

Although I installed this kit on a 3rd Gen Tacoma, there is no difference between the 2nd and 3rd Gen. The parts and install are identical.

Kit Contents

• Pre-Wired Waterproof 5050 LED Strips (x3)
• 28’ of Wiring
• Waterproof Switch
• Inline Fuse & Fuse Cover
• Heat Shrink Connectors
• Adhesive Squares
• Zip Ties

Install Overview

This may seem a little daunting for a beginner, but trust me, the in-depth instructions and installation video lead you through each step. The best advice I can share is to give yourself time. Other than that, it’s just drilling a couple of holes and connecting some wires. Pictured above, you can see the waterproof push-button switch, which I mounted next to the outlet in the back of my truck for easy access.

I took my time lining up the LED strips so they were perfectly centered on the rails, but I’m a very particular person when it comes to detail. Wiring everything together and grounding it all under the bed was very clearly spelled out, and the kit is designed so that the installer has very minimal ‘wiring’ to do.

The most time-consuming part for me was running the power wire under the truck into the engine bay. Feeding the power wire along the existing wire loom was tedious. Maneuvering the coil of wire around the frame and other parts and zip-tying it, all while lying on my back under the truck and holding a flashlight, was not easy.

My second piece of advice is to try to get your hands on a mechanic’s creeper! The final step was running the wire around the engine bay and connecting it to the battery. Overall, it was a very fun project and can be done by even the most beginner DIYer.

Pros & Cons

Pros

My truck’s bed has a tonneau cover 90% of the time, so the little cargo light does zilch for providing me with adequate light when I need it. This kit does everything I need from a light source in my truck bed.

The lights are always hot, meaning they always have power, whether the truck is on or not. I don’t have to worry about turning the truck on auxiliary or replacing batteries. The plug is conveniently installed in the bed so you can turn it on without going to the cab. The best part is that these lights are low profile. They fit right into an area that is always out of the way but still provides adequate lighting for the whole bed.

These lights are super bright, and I even went with the warm white look. You might even say they are too bright, but who am I kidding? Can lights ever be too bright?

Cons

None! Seriously, there is nothing that I don’t like about this kit.

I was a little nervous about wiring it up on my own, but I trusted they were telling the truth when they said anyone could do it. If you have any reservations about whether you can tackle this job, make sure to check out the installation video linked below.

Final Thoughts

If you are in the market for some additional lighting for your truck bed, this would, hands down, be my top pick. Above, I combined before-and-after images to give you a better idea of the difference between the OEM bed lights and the new Matt Gecko kit. It’s a huge difference! It’s even more noticeable in person.

I love that the switch is located in the bed. I can still reach the switch even with the tonneau on and my bed packed full. The install was actually fun to tackle and well within my ability since they make the kit super simple to install. I promise this project is doable no matter your skill level.

By the way, did I mention that the lights are super bright? There isn’t one nook or cranny in the bed that isn’t lit up when they are on. In my opinion, you will get plenty of use from these lights whether you use your bed for everyday chores or for hauling gear for a weekend in the wilderness. I use mine every chance I get!