2007 Ram quad cab, with the Laramie package. I'm going to add rear reading lights, because with kids in the back seat, you need a little light to read a book, fish snacks out of the cooler, and such, but the main light is way too bright for reading. I already have the lights - Hella flexible gooseneck reading lights with a 19" flexible arm. They will be easy to mount to the rear wall of the cab, after removing the seats.

So far, so good. Now comes the problem: The new lights need power. While we are at it, it would be a good idea to add a power socket underneath the rear seat; often enough, we have some accessory in there, usually a small 110V inverter, just big enough to power the Nintendo or the portable DVD player.

Where to get power from, most easily? I can see two options:

1. Power from the center console between the two front seats. Find the wire harness that must be somewhere under the front seats (I think I've seen it dangling towards the passenger seat). Put a splice in there. Run a 12-gauge wire (good enough for the 20A fuse) underneath the carpet to under the back seat. Problem with this: Lots of work to lift the carpet and sneak the wire under there.

2. Drill a hole right underneath the floor pan, put a rubber grommet in it, run the wire underneath the body (well protected), all the way back to the engine compartment. I already have an extra fuse box next to the battery, for other accessories. Problem with this: Lots of work running and protecting the wire underneath the body.

3. Is there any other power source underneath or behind the seat?

Once installed, I think both versions will work just the same. Both ways the wire is reasonably well protected, but not perfect. I think what it really comes down to: Which one is less work?

Advice and comments welcome.

 

instead of running it underneath.... what under the edge of the carpets by the kick panels then run it through the firewall to the extra fuse panel you have? that way you wouldnt have to drill in your floor pan

 

i haven't looked , so I don't know but if the wire running to the center cosole is on a 15 amp circuit, it won't do you any good to run a thicker wire and a 20 amp fuse for the rear lights and power connector, the smaller 15 amp fuse would blow first. Might check into it and that woud make your decision for you

 

The kick panel plan is valid, but you can also use a fish-tape. Harbor Freight has fiberglass fish tapes that will help you run it under the carpet without a lot of hassle. Go ahead and run heavier wire, but the added length will increase the current draw. DON'T use a larger fuse.

 

it takes 20 minutes to get the carpet out. i just did it

 

If I were looking to power several small things back there like you are, i would run a 12ga wire from the battery, through the firewall, down the kick panel and door sills, under the carpet and where ever you want to go from there.