This is the best forum! Are I to understand that if my 04 F-150 came with the towing package that I can buy a harness from ford and just plug in my electric brake box? I see a blue box under the dash, is that where in plugs in? what part number on the harness? You have made my day. thanks

 

Hi Double G,

Yes and No. If you have the factory tow package then you are prewired for a brake controller. However, you need to order the harness from whomever manufactured your brake controller and specify that it is for an '04 F150. This way it will have the correct plugs on each end - one to match the Ford prewire and the other to match your specific controller. I'm not sure what color the prewire plug is for '04 - my '08 is gray - but it would be located under the dash and would obvioulsy match the wiring harness that you order.

 

Check and see if you already have the relay in your fuse box located behind the passenger side kick panel.


The relay is normally in a plastic bag with the above mentioned pigtail. Look at your fuse box. If the relay spot is empty take a trip down to your parts house or FORD parts dealer. I would be displeased if hours after I install the brake controller I finally relaize why there is no power to the controller.

 

KingRanch is right, you do need a relay as well - but not to power the brake controller. The relay that is supplied with the factory tow package limits trailer battery charging so that your trailer batteries (if it has any) will charge, but not overcharge, during towing.

See the sticky on "relay locations" in this same forum category for the relay location.

 

Ok, pulled the fuse cover and I am missing the R05 relay ( trailer tow battery charge) so. .this means that I need to go to ford and get the relay and pigtail to hook to my electric brake box? or do I get the pigtail from to brake box company?

 

Me personally, get the relay. When you buy your controller get the wiring kit specific for your truck. It will have a plug on both ends so all you have to do is plug it into the controller then plug the other end into your truck. Buy the factory pigtail from Ford and it will only have one end on it. You get to solder the other end onto it.

I have the prodigy controller. At the RV shop I bought it from the wiring kits were right next to the controllers. Just had to pick the right one. The wiring harness was 9.95 back then.

I bought my controller and wiring kit from these guys. They were running a sale back then.
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/preowne...FRw0kgod3H0IpA

 

I just had a digital Pilot installed in an old pickup and took it out before I sold it. I see 4 wires coming out of the back of the box, I guess the installer cut the pigtail off or it was a universal unit. If I go to ford then the one end plugs in under the dash and the other wires I can connect to the box, is that correct? Can I get the relay anywhere? Auto Zone .. etc

 

You will probably need to get the relay from Ford. Any dealer parts counter should have them in stock. As for the pigtail - I would try to get one from Pilot to fit your F150. You could probably get the Ford pigatil from your dealer parts counter as well, but then you will have to solder or crimp-connect the wires. This wouldn't be such a big deal except that the color coding may not be the same for all the wires so you run the risk of misconnecting everything and shorting your controller. I say spend $10-$12 and get the correct pigtail with both connectors in place from Pilot.

 

thanks so much for the help. I can't wait to get everthing worked out so I can hit the road.