Brake Controller Install on 2017 Ford Expedition with OEM 4-Pole Trailer Connector

Question:

Ive got a 2017 Ford Expedition EL XLT VIN# 1FMJK1JT5HEA74389 that a long-time customer just purchased and theyre wanting to tow a 2-horse trailer. It has the factory hitch and flat-4 connector. It looks like the blue brake wire that is blunt cutinch AT the hitch, however, theres no factory controller in this vehicle. With that said, does anyone know where Im going to find the front end of that blue wire? Im assuming it runs into the body and terminates somewhere under the drivers side of the dashboard, and how should I proceed as far as hardware needed, ect. Is there a jumperinch available? This vehicle would have a trailer brake control module that interacts with the body control module under the left side dashboard, somewhere behind the knee bolster, but I dont see one, let alone a connector dangling anywhere nearby. Based on customer input per her last trailer brake controller and after watching one of your videos, Im thinking Id like to install a proportional setup with a dash mounted dial. Can you give me a list of what my options are and Ill proceed from there. Thanks in advance

asked by: Jonathan A

Expert Reply:

The blue wire you found at the rear should terminate in the brake controller install connector that's located behind the dash panel as shown in the provided photo. Just to the right of the steering column there's a coin tray where the OEM brake controller would have been installed, had the vehicle been so equipped. The connector you're looking for is pinned to the back of that coin tray as shown in the photo. You'll need to remove the dash panel surrounding the coin tray to remove it from the dash and access the connector.

To convert the existing 4-pole connector into a 7-way, use the # 37185 adapter. The adapter plugs into the existing 4-pole, and will have 3 additional wires. The white wire grounds to the vehicle. The yellow wire is for a reverse lamp circuit. You can tap that into the reverse lamp if necessary, but unless your customer is towing a boat trailer that has a surge coupler with a reverse lockout, it won't be necessary. The blue wire on the adapter will connect to the blue wire you found under the vehicle which carries the output from the brake controller. There should be an orange or red wire next to the blue wire you located that connects to the black wire coming off the adapter. This circuit carries 12V from the battery to help keep a trailer mounted battery topped off. If this wire isn't present, you can use a length of # 10-1-1 wire and a # 9510 40A circuit breaker and run a feed circuit to the positive battery terminal.

For a remote mounted proportional brake brake controller like you described, I'd recommend the Tow-Pro Liberty, part # RED24FR. The main portion of the controller mounts under the dash so it's out of sight and out of the way. The brakes are actuated and the output adjusted via a control knob that mounts on the dash within the driver's reach. If an unused switch knockout is available, it would be the ideal mounting location for the knob. If one isn't available, Redarc offers a mounting bezel, part # 331-TPSI-001 that would make for a super-clean, factory installed appearance. You'll also need the # 331-TPH-007 wiring harness to join the controller module to the connector behind the coin tray mentioned above.

I've linked to a video showing how the Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller works.