I bought at '05 F-250 XL. It doesn't have the towing package unfortunately. How do I connect a trailer brake controller? I looked under the dash and I don't see a place for it to plug in, so I assume I have to hard wire it? My question is, how do I do that? I found 4 wires that come to an end that look like the same wire on my controller.....do I simply splice into that? My controller has a red, white, blue and green wire. The four under the dash are red, white, blue, and black. It seems to simple if thats it, but I dunno, my old truck had the package and I just plugged it in.....really easy...

Thanks
Tim

 

It's there...it's pre-wired already.

Take the panel off under the steering column
On the right hand side....not in this area, but to the right..though a metal brace is a grey 6 pin connector attached to a black box.

This box is the turn signal/hazard relay. To make sure you are looking in the right area...turn on your hazard flashers and follow the noise. It will be easy to find...plug in your brake controller and you are done....voila.

 

Thanks, I'll look tonight....someone told me it was pre-wired, but I thought you had to have the towing package for it.....I have the connector to plug in.....

 

please listen to me I know, the truck is pre wired, the storage compartment "where the tow command goes" next to the pull out cup holders on the dash has some wires coming to the back of it that the tow command plugs right into, you will have to install a new master cylinder and bring truck to dealer for programming

 

Um...you don't have to install the factory tow-command.
You can install any brake controller. Like those used and installed in GM and Dodge or anything else for about $35-$200 depending on the style you want.
The Ford's are still pre-wired...and you don't need "dealer programming" or a "new master cylinder" unless you want to install a factory tow command and pay about $1500 plus.

Ford wires these trucks to accept either style of brake controller.

 

Once you get the cab wiring figured out for the controller, then you will need the round 7 pin connector for the bumper.... All you probably have is the flat 4 setup. No brake control wire (which is usually blue) on the flat four.

The truck is wired all the way back for this, you just have to get the full 7 pin wire harness, unplug the flat 4 setup and plug in the 7. Well, at least that's the way it is/was up to 2003?? I suspect it's the same with the new trucks too, but you should confirm that part too... Oh, and then you have to make sure you have the additional under hood fuses and relays that goes along with the 'tow package' as well...

Good luck!

Mitch

 

I have an extra factory connector that I think will work. Let me know what year truck you have and I"ll see if it works

The connector I think is out of a 04 Harley Truck but still works with my 97. If It doesnt then I'm sure someone will post that it will be inop.I can always send it to ya to see if it works.

 

I finally got a chance to mess with it tonight. Unfortunately I don't see the plug still. Are you guys sure that it is pre-wired for the plug?

Colorado Osprey, I found the black box, (the signal/hazard relay box) I could feel the ticking when the flashers were on, and it was exactly where you said it was, but there was no gray plug anywhere near it.... You said it was a 6 pin connector, but the wiring harness I got from the dealer to plug in looks like only a 4 pin one, its a big square one with 4 pins inside it. My old one from my old f-150 that I had was a six pin connector, but this one is shapped different and only 4 pins.

Mitch, the truck does have the 7 pin plug, it has both the 7 pin and the 4 pin, and I have an adapter for a 6 pin one, so that isn't a big deal.....but thanks.

I found a metal clip where the connector on my old truck was that had an empty space that looks like there should be a connector there, I wonder if they forgot to put it in?

 

cobra if you are still willin to get rid of your brake controller let me. It would sure make towing my box trailer a lot easier. I am even in NJ also. Thanks

 

Got it figured out last night....went to the dealer and they printed me a diagram out....pretty much had to take the center of the dash apart to find the darn plug....but it works....thanks for the help!

 

I put a 7 pin round connector on my 99 a few years ago. The wires were hangin there and capped off from the factory, so it was an easy install.

WARNING!!! unless they have changed since 99, the color coding on the ford wiring harness is different than the universal color coding for trailer hook ups. I don't remember what was different, but I know some of the colors were not what they should be. . . just check them with a test light before towing!!!

I will post colors when I find the paper I wrote them on.