Best Way to Wire the Redarc Brake Controller on 2020 Ford Ranger Without Tow Package

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Question:

I have a 2020 ford ranger xl without factory tow package. I want to install the redark proportional brake controller but cant find the 4 wires under the dash. There is an extra plug, but there appear to be more than 4 wires going to it, so it may be for some other option. Any advice?

asked by: Ludolph H

0

Expert Reply:

Thanks for the pictures you sent! It looks like you don't have the right plug under your dash which is due to not having the factory tow package on your 2020 Ford Ranger. That's ok, since there's still a solution to adding brake controller wiring to your truck.

Ford USA offers the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite # RED44FR with their own wiring kit included so it's confirmed that this controller is compatible with the 2020 Ford Ranger. I talked with Redarc and they explained how to wire your Ranger to match the wiring kit that Ford offers. This comes in handy if you already own your own Redarc Tow-Pro Elite.

First, you need a 7-way wiring harness. Since you already have a 4-way on your truck, you can use # ETBC7 to convert it to 7-way. From here, all you need is the blue wire from this converter to connect to your brake controller.

Second, you need to connect the white, black, and red wires from the wiring harness # RED69FR that came with your brake controller.

White - Ground connection

Black - Connect with circuit breaker like # 331-CBK30-EB to Battery Positive

Red - Connect to dedicated STEADY 12V brake light signal (CMHSL); Prevent feedback with # RED34FR

The red cable connection is a little bit different here. Since the 2020 Ford Ranger has driver assist braking, tapping straight into the brake pedal switch is not recommended. The stop lamp signal is a good source since it lights up under both types of braking events (driver and vehicle generated). However it must be a dedicated solid 12V signal to be used with the Tow-Pro.

This is where the CMHSL (Centre Mounted High Stop Light) at the rear of the roof comes in. This is a possible suitable source of the stop lamp signal, but you need to make sure it is solid 12V and not Pulse Width Modulated signal.

You also need to prevent reverse power on the brake signal wire which is why you use an encapsulated diode like # RED34FR.

Once you hook all four wires up, you're good to go!

expert reply by: Evangeline M

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Answer 1

The Redarc Encapsulated Power Diode #RED34FR is only needed on vehicles with certain advanced safety systems like the Adaptive Cruise Control, Assisted Emergency Braking and Autonomous Emergency Braking. If your 2016 Toyota Highlander has these…

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Answer 2

I think you are going in the right direction. I would definitely replace the 14 gauge wire going to the trailer brake magnets with 10 gauge wire or larger. Usually larger than 10 gauge is hard to get into the trailer connector though. I would also…

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Answer 3

In order to power the third brake light on a truck bed cap you will need the Pacer Performance 3rd Brake Light Logic Module part #PP20-702. The reason you need the module is that the brake/turn signal circuits and trailer lighting circuits are…

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Answer 4

The best place to find the stoplight circuit on a vehicle like your 2020 Subaru Outback is going to be at the brake pedal switch. You'll need to use a circuit tester like part #PTW2993 to test all of the wires till you find the circuit that only…

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Answer 5

The normal width for the mounting brackets for the Redarc Tow Pro Liberty #RED24FR is 1 inch wide and 1-1/2 inches tall. The knob is right at 3/4 inch in diameter so it would fit on a 7/8 inch panel but might be tight to grab if the panel you…

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Answer 6

You will not need to install a diode of any type when installing the Redarc Tow Pro Liberty part #RED24FR since you are using brake controller wiring already present on the vehicle from the factory.

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Answer 7

We have the parts you're looking for! It looks like Ford is using the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite, part #RED44FR, as the brake controller for a 2020 Ford Ranger. If your Ranger has a factory 7-way, then the harness you need to install this brake…

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Answer 8

When it comes to installing The Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty #RED52VR if there is no trailer connected, the active calibration may occur as normal without any indication from the LED., provided your brake light trigger point is active when there is no…

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Answer 9

The red wire on the brake controller connects to the stop light wire on the brake switch located above the brake pedal. You will need to use a circuit tester like #PTW2993 to probe the wires. You need the one that shows a signal ONLY when the brake…

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Answer 10

The only differences between the factory pigtail and the Redarc Pigtail #RED49FR (Redarc part number TPH-021) will indeed be the external ground and a diode pre-installed on the red wire. There were a few issues with brake controller wiring in the…

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Answer 11

I actually just recently ran into a similar issue with a Redarc brake controller on a Toyota vehicle. The issue was the integrated diode Redarc uses on the plug-in-play harness not allowing for 12 volts to be sent to the stop light switch circuit. I…

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Answer 12

On your 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, you do not disconnect the brake light switch. On Hybrids unless the battery is disconnected or ignition is in the off position you may set off a code in the computer system that limits the vehicle's motion.…

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Best Way to Wire the Redarc Brake Controller on 2020 Ford Ranger Without Tow Package

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