Trailer brake controller installation ideas.

[DesertSand]

I did a little bit of research and you can order the factory bezel where the factory brake controller would click into.
The F-150 uses the same controller. If there is no controller the f-150 has a coin tray ML3Z-15519C36-AA.

People are selling a 3d printed blank to go into that hole in which a hole could be drilled and you could mount the REDARC or curt knob.

It would look near factory and you would have to drill into any expensive panels.

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[TractorFixer]

It's pretty simple and easy to drill the factory piece for a Redarc control knob. The trim piece is only ~$28 if you wanted a new replacement to keep on hand. Plus it retains the "coin tray"

 

[DesertSand]

It's pretty simple and easy to drill the factory piece for a Redarc control knob. The trim piece is only ~$28 if you wanted a new replacement to keep on hand. Plus it retains the "coin tray"

I like the way that looks too. I know people on the explorer forum drilled a hole in the blank spot on the headlight switch. The ranger switch would need the backside trimmed then the hole drilled to achieve this look.

 

[ExBronco]

I like the way that looks too. I know people on the explorer forum drilled a hole in the blank spot on the headlight switch. The ranger switch would need the backside trimmed then the hole drilled to achieve this look.

What did you end up doing?

 

[DesertSand]

Haven't gone through with the redarc purchase yet being winter and we had a trip to Mexico.

 

[ExBronco]

Haven't gone through with the redarc purchase yet being winter and we had a trip to Mexico.

So you won't try to go the OEM route ?

 

[DesertSand]

So you won't try to go the OEM route ?

Only if the wires are there. There has been no confirmation that the wires are inside the taped up harness.

 

[ExBronco]

Only if the wires are there. There has been no confirmation that the wires are inside the taped up harness.

Well let me know I saw bunch of your post and I want to retrofit oem so bad that I'm losing sleep on this!

 

[ExBronco]

It's pretty simple and easy to drill the factory piece for a Redarc control knob. The trim piece is only ~$28 if you wanted a new replacement to keep on hand. Plus it retains the "coin tray"

Do you get any info on this redarc brake controller on your center display? Like braking force or gain level etc? And does emergency braking works?

 

[TractorFixer]

Do you get any info on this redarc brake controller on your center display? Like braking force or gain level etc? And does emergency braking works?

The Redarc is pretty much standalone so no info on the Ford display.

The Redarc interface is cleverly simple...turn the knob to adjust the gain, press it to activate trailer brakes, LED for status. I've been happy with how it controls the brakes for both a flatbed and travel trailer.
As far as emergency braking...seems like it would work since Redarc gets brake signal from the vehicle, but I've never attempted to test (and really not concerned about it).

 

[ExBronco]

The Redarc is pretty much standalone so no info on the Ford display.

The Redarc interface is cleverly simple...turn the knob to adjust the gain, press it to activate trailer brakes, LED for status. I've been happy with how it controls the brakes for both a flatbed and travel trailer.
As far as emergency braking...seems like it would work since Redarc gets brake signal from the vehicle, but I've never attempted to test (and really not concerned about it).

Do you use the liberty or the pro one? (red controller or black controller). Not much use for the black one but I'm the guy who prefer to put more now so I don't have to change it later. But I can hardly justify the 100$ more.

 

[TractorFixer]

Do you use the liberty or the pro one? (red controller or black controller). Not much use for the black one but I'm the guy who prefer to put more now so I don't have to change it later. But I can hardly justify the 100$ more.

Tow-Pro Liberty
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Redarc/RED67CR.html

Its the same controller and install referenced in this thread:
https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/wires-for-trailer-brake-controller-24-ranger.11415/

 

[DesertSand]

Amazon is a cheaper place to get the redarc and the pigtail to go from factory plug by firewall to redarc unit.

 

[ExBronco]

Amazon is a cheaper place to get the redarc and the pigtail to go from factory plug by firewall to redarc unit.

I saw in another thread that you said the truck that came with tow package only had a different harness than the ones withe OEM TBC? Is that confirmed. This would really means the end for going the OEM route.

 

[White willy]

I went with the Liberty.

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