How Can I Use One Brake Controller on a 2006 Jeep Commander and a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Question:

I have a 3500lb trailer with single axle electric brakes. My 2 tow vehicles are: 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited i6 automatic trans 2006 Jeep Commander 4.7 liter v-8 automatic trans I need to install brake control for use with either vehicle. Please advise on 1 - controller ion - Primus or IQ? 2 - 2nd mounting bracket - to allow moving controller between vehicles 3 - Wiring adapter for Commander - I believe factory 7-pin is fully wired including E-brake and Hot. 4 - Wiring kit for Wrangler - Aftermarket 7-pin does not have E-brake or Hot wired yet. Both vehicles currently have 7-pin connectors in place. Id like to have a single controller that I can store when not in use and move between vehicles when needed. Thanks

asked by: Reid A

Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Primus IQ Brake Controller, # TK90160, would be an excellent choice for your 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and your 2006 Jeep Commander. This brake controller comes with one wiring harness and dash clip, so you will just need one more wiring harness, # 20127, and a way to secure the controller. This will allow you to move the brake controller and transfer it from Jeep to Jeep.

The brake controller wiring harness will need to be completely hardwired for both Jeeps with the Wiring Kit for 2, 4, 6 and 8 Brake Electric Brake Controllers, # 5506, and 10 gauge blue wire, # 10-1-1. The following steps will apply for both Jeeps.

Attach the black wire on the brake controller to the black wire in the duplex cable. Attach the white wire on the brake controller to the white wire on the duplex cable. Route the duplex cable through the firewall to the battery. Separate the two wires and connect the white wire to the negative battery terminal. Connect the black wire to a 20 amp breaker, # 9506P. The breaker can be mounted on the fire wall or near the battery. Then connect a wire from the breaker to the positive battery terminal.

If your Jeep Wrangler Unlimited does not have a power wire ran to the 7-way connector, then you will want to run a power wire from the positive terminal on the battery to the pin on the trailer connector in the 1 oclock position via a 40 amp circuit breaker, # 9510.

Next, you will take the blue wire from the brake controller harness and attach it to a length of the 10 guage blue wire, # 10-1-1, that will run through the firewall to the trailer connector at the back of the Jeep. For your Jeep Commander, you will want to cut the brake output wire at the 7-way connector and use a butt connector to attach the blue wire from the brake controller to the brake output wire on the trailer connector. On Jeeps, this wire is typically light green, however, I recommend checking that you are cutting the correct wire. It should be the wire connected to the pin in the 5 oclock position on the trailer connector.

If you do not have this wire ran to the connector on your Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, then you can connect this wire to the pin at the 5 oclock position on the trailer connector.

Finally, we will just have the red wire from the brake controller wiring harness. This wire will connect to the stop light switch which is normally located directly off of the vehicles brake pedal. It will be the wire that only has a signal when the brake pedal is pressed. I recommend using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test for signal.

I have attached three FAQ articles on brake controllers and wiring for you to review that will explain the wiring procedures that I mentioned. I also attached a brake controller installation video for you to check out. The vehicle in the video is different from your Jeeps, but the installation process will be the same. Just keep in mind that the wire colors on the vehicle in the video may not match up with the wire colors on your Jeeps so I recommend testing a circuit for function using a circuit tester if you are not sure of a wires function.