wires for trailer brake controller '24 Ranger?

[Hootbro]

My 2014 f150 had to just be "turned on" Im guessing it should be just as easy. Just like adding factory cruise to the xl Mavericks when they came out in 2022

Do whatever you want but understand it is at risk. If you have read this whole thread, a lot of people have dived into this to figure out how to add a aftermarket TBC for those with the standard tow package. In that journey, it has been discovered there is wiring difference between those with no tow package, basic tow package and the advance tow package. To my knowledge, no one has shown those with the basic tow package have the wiring dead ended or taped up for the advance tow package trailer brake controller.

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[RangerDangerStranger]

Looks like then just 4 wires, then to the 4 -pin connector (factory installed) under the rear bumper? What installing an aftermarket Trailer Br

Per the invoice and a follow up with Ford Customer Service, no trailering package installed on my 2024 XLT. However, I had the service department at the local Ford dealership look up the build of my vehicle on the OASIS system ,and was told it has “Towing Package 1A” from the factory. However, just the 4pin connector (lights only), no hitch receiver.

I've heard that the wiring for the 7 pin is back there, should be easy to look and see. Can't confirm because don't have access to a Non tow package Truck. That connector under the dash you pictured has basically 4 wires in it- Power, Ground, Brake On/Off- (including AEB), and Trailer Brake Signal out. The only one that goes out to the back from that connector would only go to a 7 pin trailer Conn, that's the Trailer Brake signal out wire. The other 3 in the under dash connector power the after market Trailer Brake controller module and supply it with need info- Brake On/Off status. From earlier wiring diagrams, it did seem like non Tow package equiped Trucks did not have the required module to drive the 7 Pin connector that is not installed. That may have changed, and yours might have the module to feed the other 6 wires in the 7 pin Conn. However, yours might have the 7 pin wiring to the rear, w/o the 7 pin Connector, but lack feed to 2 of the wires, as the 7 pin conn shares 4 of the wires fronm the 4 pin. You would have to locate the wire bundle at the rear, then test functiion to the 6 wires, as the Trailer brake controller wire can only be tested for continuity w/o a Controller installed. but if the connector is there under the dash, it should work. So look for a 7 wire bundle behind the rear panel, near the 4 pin trailer connector. It it's there, you might be able to add the 7 pin Rear connector and controller under the dash and be good.

 

[DesertSand]

Do whatever you want but understand it is at risk. If you have read this whole thread, a lot of people have dived into this to figure out how to add a aftermarket TBC for those with the standard tow package. In that journey, it has been discovered there is wiring difference between those with no tow package, basic tow package and the advance tow package. To my knowledge, no one has shown those with the basic tow package have the wiring dead ended or taped up for the advance tow package trailer brake controller.

My 2025 xl I ordered has the tow package with 4 and 7 pin. It just won't have the controller. Im still thinking it's all there for the factory controller. Ford will just need to check off the boxes like I stated before. It would be nice to see a few more with regular tow package chime in. I foresee more people addressing this.

 

[Hootbro]

My 2025 xl I ordered has the tow package with 4 and 7 pin. It just won't have the controller. Im still thinking it's all there for the factory controller. Ford will just need to check off the boxes like I stated before. It would be nice to see a few more with regular tow package chime in. I foresee more people addressing this.

Good luck with that.

 

[Fr8Dawg77]

To further muddy the waters on my ‘24 Ranger XLT; I removed the cover on the connector I found behind the left kick panel, and was able to get a closer look at the 4 wires going into it: yellow/red tracer, blue, violet, and black. The 4-pin connector under the rear bumper wires though are green, yellow, brown, & white. From the Fuse Diagram, there is a fuse in position “F91” that is labeled for the “Tow Control Module”.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

My 2025 xl I ordered has the tow package with 4 and 7 pin. It just won't have the controller. Im still thinking it's all there for the factory controller. Ford will just need to check off the boxes like I stated before. It would be nice to see a few more with regular tow package chime in. I foresee more people addressing this.

I've seen some ancillary Information that suggest you may be right. For the 2025s the Advance tow is only 825 vs 495 for the basic tow, or, you can add a TBC from Ford with the basic tow package for 330 more. Odd combos, but seems it might back up what your saying. If i were ordering, I'd just get the advance Tow.

 

[DesertSand]

I've seen some ancillary Information that suggest you may be right. For the 2025s the Advance tow is only 825 vs 495 for the basic tow, or, you can add a TBC from Ford with the basic tow package for 330 more. Odd combos, but seems it might back up what your saying. If i were ordering, I'd just get the advance Tow.

We don't have the money for the XLT. That's why we just ordered the base xl with trailer tow package and block heater. They threw in the bed mat and added factory flaps. In Canada you can't get the xl with advance tow unfortunately.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

To further muddy the waters on my ‘24 Ranger XLT; I removed the cover on the connector I found behind the left kick panel, and was able to get a closer look at the 4 wires going into it: yellow/red tracer, blue, violet, and black. The 4-pin connector under the rear bumper wires though are green, yellow, brown, & white. From the Fuse Diagram, there is a fuse in position “F91” that is labeled for the “Tow Control Module”.

This doesn't muddy anything. Read the thread. That Connector is for a plug in TBC. The 4 wires are 12V power, Grnd, Brake On/Off signal, and Trailer Brakes out- variable. The only one that leaves from that connector to the back is the Trailer brakes out. I verified this in this very thread.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

We don't have the money for the XLT. That's why we just ordered the base xl with trailer tow package and block heater. They threw in the bed mat and added factory flaps. In Canada you can't get the xl with advance tow unfortunately.

I noticed that a Factory TBC wasn't an option on an 2025 XL for some reason. I beleive there was a guy on this or companion thread that had a XL with basic Tow that had the needed connector and put in a RedArc TBC and the connector got the varible signal on the TB pin at the 7 pin Conn, which I verified is on the XLTs at the 7 pin conn.
I would think that if you have Basic Tow, and you find that connector, you should be able to put a RedArc in it and be good to go with Trailer brakes.
IF you have a *2025* XL, you MAY be able to add a Ford OEM TBC to it. MAy is the key word here. It Does look like you should be able to add a OEM Controller to the XLT, for a 2025 that is. Not sure if it would be back compatable to a 2024. Only Ford knows that.

 

[Fr8Dawg77]

Well, I am to blame for my own ignorance on this issue. I bought the truck off the lot, but figured it had a trailer brake control option already installed as there is a trailering function already blatantly featured on the infotainment menu. I did not catch there would be an issue until pickicing up the truck after payying for a third party Linex bed protector to be sprayed in when I realized here was not a towing receiver installed! “Buyer Beware”!

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

Well, I am to blame for my own ignorance on this issue. I bought the truck off the lot, but figured it had a trailer brake control option already installed as there is a trailering function already blatantly featured on the infotainment menu. I did not catch there would be an issue until pickicing up the truck after payying for a third party Linex bed protector to be sprayed in when I realized here was not a towing receiver installed! “Buyer Beware”!

No one here has looked at adding it to an Ranger w/o Basic Tow, but it can be done.

The key detail needed is a Brake On/Off signal that goes High during AEB. That connector has that signal. Everything else is just wiring.

 

[chino101]

My 2014 f150 had to just be "turned on" Im guessing it should be just as easy. Just like adding factory cruise to the xl Mavericks when they came out in 2022

Unfortunately it looks like the 2024 Rangers with the "Advanced Trailering Package" (ATP) instrument panel mounted trailer brake controller (TBC) has a different wiring harness than those without. So I don't believe you can add the switches and 'turn on' the the trailer brake controller in 'FORscan' like the F-150s.

Wiring Harness with TBC P/N: N1WZ-14401-WC $1219
Wiring Harness without TBC P/N: N1WZ-14401-VW $588

https://www.fordoempartsdirect.com/v-2024-ford-ranger--xlt--2-3l-l4-gas/electrical--wiring-harness

For those that want the Ford factory 7-pin harness and vehicle interface, I believe this is it for about $300. But will still need an aftermarket trailer brake controller.

https://www.fordoempartsdirect.com/oem-parts/ford-kit-trailer-hitch-electrics-lk4z15a416a?c=bD0xOCZuPVNlYXJjaCBSZXN1bHRzJmE9Zm9yZCZvPXJhbmdlciZ5PTIwMjQmdD14bHQmZT0yLTNsLWw0LWdhcw==

(Edited to correct error)

 

[DesertSand]

Unfortunately it looks like the 2024 Rangers with the "Advanced Trailering Package" (ATP) has a different wiring harness than those without. So I don't believe you can add the switches and 'turn on' the the trailer brake controller in 'FORscan' like the F-150s.

Wiring Harness with ATP P/N: N1WZ-14401-WC $1219
Wiring Harness without ATP P/N: N1WZ-14401-VW $588

https://www.fordoempartsdirect.com/v-2024-ford-ranger--xlt--2-3l-l4-gas/electrical--wiring-harness

For those that want the Ford factory 7-pin harness and vehicle interface, I believe this is it for about $300. But will still need an aftermarket trailer brake controller.

https://www.fordoempartsdirect.com/oem-parts/ford-kit-trailer-hitch-electrics-lk4z15a416a?c=bD0xOCZuPVNlYXJjaCBSZXN1bHRzJmE9Zm9yZCZvPXJhbmdlciZ5PTIwMjQmdD14bHQmZT0yLTNsLWw0LWdhcw==

I don't want the advanced package just the trailer brake controller. My truck has the trailer package ordered with it which includes 7 and 4 pin and receiver. I doubt ford would make a separate harness. I will investigate further once it arrives in March/April.

 

[chino101]

I don't want the advanced package just the trailer brake controller. My truck has the trailer package ordered with it which includes 7 and 4 pin and receiver. I doubt ford would make a separate harness. I will investigate further once it arrives in March/April.

Oops sorry, I misspoke. In the Ford Parts link the wiring harnesses are different for those with an 'Instrument panel with electric trailer brake controller', they have different part numbers. I will fix my post.

In addition I removed the instrument panel bezel and didn't find a connector for a trailer brake controller switch in the location where it would be installed by the factory.

In the image below, the wire shown is for my Redarc TBC in the factory location.

 

[HWMTB]

Hi All!

I'm new to the forum and this my first post! I might be a little early posting this but I'm eager to share my experience of installing a receiver and brake controller on a 2024 Ranger XLT without the tow package. This thread has been a huge asset in the process so thank you EVERYONE in advance for your research to this point.

I'm basically duplicating what chino101 did in his Ranger. I'm still in the process of connecting and testing everything so I don't have much to report yet. Once I confirm my installation is a success (or a failure), I'll report back with details of the install and equipment. I should have this done by the weekend (by 1/26/2025).

Until then, I can share this:

• The window sticker for my Ranger does not indicate a "tow-package" was included. The truck did not come with a receiver. That said, I do have a 4-pin connector tucked behind the rear bumper.
• My "non-tow-package" Ranger has the under-dash connector as explained chino101 and others.
• The brake controller and harness I purchased connected to the under-dash connector without an issue.
• With no trailer connected, pressing the manual override brake button on controller activated all brake lights. (That's a small win my opinion!)

I still need to review how to correctly test the voltage on each wire at the 7-pin on the back of the truck. Also need to figure out how to test the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) function without actually running into a wall.

So with that, thanks for everything ladies and gentlemen!

~HWMTB

PS -Does the forum allow a contributor (me) to tag individual members? For example, Jason B might be interested in my install since it seems he also does not have the tow package.

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