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  1. Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
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FITS 2004 Ford Explorer
4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w/ 72" Harness, Circuit Tester and Wire Taps

4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w/ 72" Harness, Circuit Tester and Wire Taps

Item # 18252
Our Price: $28.94
Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
Confirmed to Fit
2004 Ford Explorer

without factory trailer connector

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Call etrailer.com at 1-800-940-8924 for expert service. We are your Ford custom fit vehicle wiring experts, and offer a great price. etrailer.com carries a complete line of Tekonsha products for your Ford Explorer 2004. 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w/ 72" Harness, Circuit Tester and Wire Taps part 18252 from Tekonsha can be ordered online at etrailer.com. Complete custom fit vehicle wiring installation instructions and technical support.
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2004 Ford Explorer - 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w/ 72" Harness, Circuit Tester and Wire Taps

  • Trailer Hitch Wiring
  • 4 Flat
  • No Converter
  • Tekonsha

This universal, splice-in wiring kit includes a 4-way flat connector, circuit tester, 72" of bonded wire, and 4 wire tap connectors. Color-coded, bonded wires have functions printed on them to make installation easier.


Features:

  • Provides a 4-way flat trailer connector at the back of your vehicle to power your trailer's signal lights
    • Compatible with 5-pole, 6-pole, and 7-pole adapters (sold separately)
  • Works with 2-wire electrical systems
  • Splices into your vehicle's wiring with the included quick-splice connectors
    • Bonded wires are color coded (see wiring configuration below) and labeled
    • Included circuit tester helps ensure wiring is correct during installation
  • Includes durable, molded-rubber, standard female output socket


Specs:

  • Harness length: 72"
  • Max amperage: 7.5 amps per circuit
  • Wire gauge: 18
  • Limited 1-year warranty


4-Way Trailer Connector Installation

Because the color/function of the wires on this connector may not match the color/function of those on your vehicle, be sure to use the included tester to double check the function of each wire on your vehicle's tail light wiring harness before installing this connector. Once you've figured out the functions of your vehicle's wiring, use the included quick-splice connectors to connect the corresponding wires on the trailer connector. Quick-splices, or "wire taps," offer a quick way to make connections without you having to strip and twist wires. Just place the wires in it and snap the cover down.


The number 1 reason trailer wiring comes up faulty is a bad ground, so make sure your ground wire has a solid and clean connection to metal. To make this connection, you'll need a self-tapping screw and a ring terminal (sold separately).


Wiring Configuration

Wire Color Wire Function
Green Right turn and brake light
Brown Tail lights and running lights
White Ground
Yellow Left turn and brake light


Quick Tips:

We install a lot of wiring harness around here, so we thought we'd share a few tips we've picked up over the years:

  • Butt connectors - especially heat-shrink ones - provide the most secure, longest-lasting connection, so we'd recommend you grab a few and swap them out for the quick-splices in this kit.
  • Use a circuit tester on the plug terminals once the harness is installed to make sure everything's working. There's nothing worse than figuring out that you have a bad ground or a faulty connection right before you're about to hit the road.
  • Be sure to put a little bit of dielectric grease on the 4-way plug to protect the terminals from dirt, grime, and corrosion.


18252 Tekonsha Ford Explorer Wiring Harness with Ford Explorer End 4-Pole Connector Kit and Circuit Tester - 6' Long

20252 Alternate

Installation Details 18252 Installation instructions

California residents: click here


Customer Satisfaction Score:


Customer Reviews

4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w/ 72" Harness, Circuit Tester and Wire Taps - 18252

Average Customer Rating:  4.6 out of 5 stars   (209 Customer Reviews)

This universal, splice-in wiring kit includes a 4-way flat connector, circuit tester, 72" of bonded wire, and 4 wire tap connectors. Color-coded, bonded wires have functions printed on them to make installation easier.

by:
2014 Smart fortwo

Thanks to the video I did not have a problem installing the trailer wiring on my 2014 Smart Fortwo.
Thanks

Vincent S.

5/31/2020

Just fine.



by:

Awesome product never any issues use along easy install practically don’t need instructions



by:

Worked great for 6 mo. Ish. I’ve had the right side wire become loose/break so occasionally the right side will randomly choose to quit working but (at least for me) that’s not a huge deal with how little I use my trailer. solid purchase overall.

Etrailer Expert

Katrina B.

11/18/2022

I have contacted the manufacturer and the have suggested that the wiring harness should be checked for a good connection, it sounds like the harness may not be connected correctly.



by:
Chevrolet Corvette

This harness worked great for my Corvet te.



by:

First thing I noticed were the online videos that can be saved to a file. nice! also noticed the instructions for assembly of the tow bar was small and difficult to read, (my mechanic was crying throughout the installation) There were no instructions on the wiring kit installation, even a photo of the wire to wire color placement would have helped, but my mechanic went on line and got the photo from an outside source - thus the 4 stars, not five. - other than that it worked out very well, the products are solid, well made, and superbly engineered. everything was inside! thanks !

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

3/15/2019

We have a link to the installation instructions as well as some install videos on the product description page.



by:
1990 Dodge Van

Took me almost a year to actually get to installing this on the van, but wanting to use the trailer was a strong motivator. Its just a basic wiring set with quick connect clips in a bag. The fact that I was installing this on an extended camper version of the van this was designed for complicated the install, but "fortunately" there were enough rust holes that I could drill where I need to drill. Wires were long enough for the job (exactly the length needed) and the clips came pre-filled with silicone grease. Nice. Came with no instructions, but the on-line installation video is *excellent* and guided me thru the entire process. Overall, it was a convenient way to buy and install a wiring harness on my older van. Only two minor complaints:
* Did NOT include a weather-proof cap for the plug, which hangs outside by the hitch. I took the one included with the wiring kit for my Suburu (from etrailer) since that plug is stored inside the vehicle.
* The 12v circuit tester did NOT work. Fortunately I had my own tester.



by:
2006 Ford Focus

The installation documentation, along with the video aid, was very helpful and easy to understand. It helped a lot, and made the installation fast and easy. I like it a lot, and I appreciate the support I got on a minor issue which was easily and quickly taken care of.

Russell

4/4/2018

The products I purchased work beautifully! I haven’t experienced a single issue with anything.You guys are terrific!



by:
1984 Jeep CJ-7

I got a 4-wire harness to connect my jeep to a utility trailer. The harness worked perfectly.
The connectors were good--surprisingly, they were stuffed with noncorroding gel so that the jeep's wires are protected. There were no specific instructions for the hookup, but simply removing the taillight lenses showed which color wires to splice.
The supplied tester failed to function, but that wasn't a problem at all--I didn't really wish to poke additional holes into the wires anyway.
Took a half hour to complete.



by:
2007 Ford Focus

This was a pain in the rear end. Wires were not labeled and the tester was useless. Had to go to online for some instructions (none included with kit). Took a long time to get it wired to the car.

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

12/17/2018

On the product page, we have a link to the instructions as well as a couple of install videos.



by:

Product as described and very easy to install. In my case it didn't work, because the original wiring on my truck apparently is bad and I couldn't figure out what was faulty, so I ended up getting another harness that plugs into existing tail light harness, which worked great.



by:
2005 Ford Focus

I installed this wiring kit along with a hitch. This was pretty easy to install, and the directions were easy to follow. The hardest part was pulling up the the liner in the hatch back area to get to the wires.



by:

I needed a hitch and wiring harness to pull a small trailer for hauling lumber. The harness was easy to install and has worked without any problems over the past year.



by:

Each trailer is the best. Very easy to order from. Also, Sherry was very helpful and friendly.



by:
2001 GMC Sierra

Has held up great over a year so far. I recommend wrapping the wiring in electrical conduet to help make the set up last even longer like I have

Kyle

3/23/2018

Perfect!



by:
1998 Chevrolet Blazer

Only thing that needed to be changed was wire connectors. Type included with the plug are easy to install (no insulation stripping, just clamp) but are not reliable. Throw those away and use standard crimp butt splices. Plenty of wire included, so I cut to more convenient length, spliced, and taped 8 inches on both side of splice. Tester is a nice touch, save in your tool box after installation.



by:

The box of contents I received was partially damaged and the boxes inside not properly secured and wrapped and damaged inside.There was a hole in the box and am missing one elecrical connector. Everything else was O.K.

Etrailer Expert

Jenny N.

11/16/2021

I will have our customer service team reach out to you.



by:

Your product was easy to install and works fine. However, one thing that I think would be a good idea, would be to include a set of installation instructions with the product. I didn't know that the metal tabs on the connectors had to be pushed all the way down before snapping the plastic hinge over the top of the tab. A friend of mine informed me of that.



by:
Hummer H3

Everything was sent according to order and mailed extremely quickly. Product was easy to use on a Hummer H-3 for a trailer hitch.



by:

I purchased the Draw-Tite Receiver and wiring kit. All parts were easily identified. Good printed instructions. Everything assembled easily and fit perfectly. It took about 1.5 hrs to complete. It will be used to tow a small utility trailer. Highly recommend this equipment and etrailer.com. Thanks.



by:
2006 Chevrolet Malibu

I watched the video online to install the wires and did it all by myself. Product arrived in good condition.

Tj

12/26/2014

No problems, whatsoever! Good product for the price. I especially loved the fact that one could watch the video online on how to install it. Thanks!



by:
2005 Ford Focus

Picture



by:

4-pole Hardwire Kit with circuit tester.

I
needed the kit to attach rear (break/lights/back-up/tail lights) assembly.



by:
1992 Dodge Van

Over all good experience
Missed the bolt
package in my delivery but it was sent out right away... Friendly customer service... Hitch went on without a hitch. Great product..I will use this company again.. Thank you



by:
2013 Ford Edge

Worked perfect. I used it to extend the pigtail on my tow dolly. etrailer has great shipping & service. Have bought from them many times.



by:

Ordered a few weld on trailer hitch receiver tubes among other trailer parts. Parts were delivered in a timely manner and the quality of the receiver tubes is excellent. I will buy from this group in the future when I need trailer parts.


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