4-Flat Trailer Connector for 2004 Ford Ranger With Damaged Factory Connector

Question:

I was mistaken previously thinking my Ranger did not have a factory trailer harness but that is not etrailers fault. H40655 does not fit cause the connector pins are too wide on my truck. I can now confirm it has a factory harness however the trailer connectors have been replaced via a butt splice job to a flat 4 pin by a previous owner. If I connect a small 6x8 ft trailer to the current flat 4 the anti-theft is triggered and the vehicle will not start. So, 1 I have no 7 pin to Tee into, 2 I need to cut out the existing butt splice job, 3 the only connector is a factory inline on the wiring harness behind the license plate. Do you think the Hopkins HM56004 will splice into that factory harness and give me a proper flat 4? My factory harness has a Y to the trailer connector followed by a large inline connector that appears to go to the license plate lights. I would abandon the existing Y and hope splicing in the 56004 will be my new 4 pin.

asked by: Ken R

Expert Reply:

Okay, so it sounds like your 2004 Ford Ranger has a damaged or cut off connector, and you are correct that you will need to splice in a new 4-flat, but the kit you asked about is not going to work. That is a wiring harness for flat towing and plugs into tail light assemblies. Instead, because of the damage done by the previous owner you will have to hardwire in a new connector, the 4-Pole Hardwire Kit with Circuit Tester # 18252.

This will give you the 4-flat you need at the rear of your 2004 Ford Ranger, and I have linked an installation video for you of this kit being installed on a Ranger which should be helpful.

expert reply by: Kyle S