Installing an Electric Trailer Brake Controller from Scratch on a 1997 Toyota 4Runner

Question:

I have a 97 4runner with a two package with 4 port. I ordered your P3 and it came in the mail with a wire harness, but it didnt come with a connector to the 4runner. Do you know if my 97 runner comes with the connector under the dash where I can just plug in your wire P3 harness?

asked by: Frank

Expert Reply:

The 1997 Toyota 4Runner did not come with a brake controller port from the factory, so you will need to hardwire the Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller, # 90195, to the vehicle. If you already have a 4-Way flat connector at the rear of the 4Runner, all you will need is the 7 and 4 Way Installation Kit, # ETBC7. If you do not have a 4-Way, you would also need to add the trailer wiring harness, # 118341 (installation details linked below).

With a 4-Way installed you would plug it into the back of the ETBC7 and then hardwire the remaining 4 wires to the vehicle. White grounds to vehicle frame. Yellow (or purple) gets connected to a reverse light wire behind one of the taillights. (If the trailer does not have reverse lights, this connection does not need to be made.) The blue and black wires will connect to the white and black wires, respectively, in the duplex cable included with the ETBC7. This cable is then route under the vehicle and up through the engine cab where the black wire connects to the positive battery terminal via a 40 amp circuit breaker and the white wire gets route through the fire wall and connects to the brake controller blue wire.

From there you can follow the brake controller installation details, linked below, along with an FAQ article I have added that explains how to install a brake controller from scratch. I have also included a video showing the installation of an ETBC7 kit that should help.

expert reply by: Michael H