wires for trailer brake controller '24 Ranger?

[Jason B]

As for the wire harness, I'm near certain it is the same harness as the basic/advance tow models; the only thing missing in the non-tow model is the TRM (in my opinion!) which I believe completes the circuit to/from the brake on-off signal and brake controller harness under the dash board. Again, this is my opinion; I have no facts to support it.

You may be onto something about the missing TRM on non-tow trucks. Maybe that's why the Curt 7-pin harness has you run electric brake, 12V pwr and reverse lights up into the cab.

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[pezdyspensr]

Looking more closely at your photo against what I have, I do not have that grey plug. This is incredibly discouraging. I have some poor reference photos from kickplate region and rear bumper wiring as well, wondering if I am essentially bricked to 3000lbs with my STX.
Even though you can't see it well in the 3rd and 4th photos, there are 8 wires coming into that rear harness and theres a blue and violet back there so I THINK that could carry a 7 pin.. but the front is less encouraging.

This makes logical sense to me! I also saw several comments about the similarities between Bronco and Rangers.



This is interesting.... I definitely have the non-tow package (which I think lacks the TRM) and there is indeed a connector that accepts the RedArc brake controller wire harness. The connector has a "cover" on it and it is tucked up along the left footwell, zip tied to a large wire bundle near the firewall. See the picture below: The RED STAR is the "cover", the RED ARROW points to the connector in question. The YELLOW square shows female end of the RedArc harness.

 

[HWMTB]

Looking more closely at your photo against what I have, I do not have that grey plug. This is incredibly discouraging. I have some poor reference photos from kickplate region and rear bumper wiring as well, wondering if I am essentially bricked to 3000lbs with my STX.
Even though you can't see it well in the 3rd and 4th photos, there are 8 wires coming into that rear harness and theres a blue and violet back there so I THINK that could carry a 7 pin.. but the front is less encouraging.

First, the disclaimer: Consult with Ford before making any modifications. I DO NOT recommend you use this information to modify your vehicle in any way. You've been warned.

I don't think you are "bricked at 3000-lbs" but it might take a little more "effort" to make the connections to the trailer brake controller, meaning, wires will need to be spliced. But, proceed with caution; don't void warranties! I'd recommend chatting with your Ford service department (hopefully they are nicer than the ones by me) then maybe a visit to a reputable trailer sales and service center for a consultation.

In its simplest form, adding a brake controller is 4 wires (power, ground, vehicle brake signal input and trailer brake signal output). Cars are rolling computers these days.... sensors are everywhere, CAN buses control fancy LEDs... messing with "simple" trailer wiring gets more complicated and the risk of shorting out other equipment is real!

That is a lot of words to say: consult an expert! Let us know what path you take!

 

[Jason B]

Looking more closely at your photo against what I have, I do not have that grey plug. This is incredibly discouraging. I have some poor reference photos from kickplate region and rear bumper wiring as well, wondering if I am essentially bricked to 3000lbs with my STX.
Even though you can't see it well in the 3rd and 4th photos, there are 8 wires coming into that rear harness and theres a blue and violet back there so I THINK that could carry a 7 pin.. but the front is less encouraging.

And so it was for 2019 Ranger XL. They didn't have the wiring up front to add a TBC or 7-pin. Only 2019 XLT and higher had it. IIRC, they changed it in 2020 or 2021 so that all Rangers had the wiring.

Your options are this Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7) | etrailer.com

or this 2024 Ford Ranger Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 7-Way Trailer Connector

along with one of these 2024 Ford Ranger Brake Controller | etrailer.com

 

[ShadowDragon24]

let me add a little knowledge from earlier in the thread. The basic tow package trucks have a module that feeds everything needed in the seven pin connector. There's also a connector that you can plug into a aftermarket like ared arc made for the bronco which will give you a trailer break signal. A trailer brake controller. for non-tow package trucks, that seven pin module is not there. There is a more basic one for the four pin also, it seemed that the gray connector which would feed the trailer brake controller was there, which has power, ground, break on off and output to the seven pin. Everything was functional except the brake on off signal which comes from the body control Module was not active on the non-tow package equip trucks. The workaround was to tap the high amount of stoplight, which was done on the previous model as well,. That would give you your brake on off, signal under normal conditions and automatic emergency breaking. However, as yet I haven't seen the high mounted stoplight, tested under automatic emergency breaking. It can be done easily. Very slowly backing up towards a soft object like a bush with automatic emergency breaking on while not touching the brake pedal. The truck will automatically break and you can see if that light goes on. Now the 2025 had an option for the stock trailer brake controller without the advanced tow package. I'm not sure how well that would integrate into a 2024 but that also doesn't help the non-tow package equipment trucks. As far as I know, though even the non-tow package equiped trucks had that Connector for the trailer brake controller, even though the BOO signal is not active.

Too add to your post. ford calls the bumper hole and 4 pin. "tow package level 1"

Tow lvl 2 give you the factoey hitch, and 4/7pin plug. and lvl 3 gets you the intragrated brake controller.

My xlt has the lvl 2 tow package.

I added a hopkins tbc from my previous vehicle. I used your post(i think was you) to find the redarc harness I needed. then lokked up the vehicle redarc said it was compatible with, and got the hopkins harness and plugged right in. and works flawlessly.

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...-xlt-with-basic-tow-package.20279/post-293293

 

[superj]

Too add to your post. ford calls the bumper hole and 4 pin. "tow package level 1"

Tow lvl 2 give you the factoey hitch, and 4/7pin plug. and lvl 3 gets you the intragrated brake controller.

So i have level2? My stx has the 4 and 7 plus factory reciever under the bumper.

I can just get the stuff you got and have the brake controller also?

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

Too add to your post. ford calls the bumper hole and 4 pin. "tow package level 1"

Tow lvl 2 give you the factoey hitch, and 4/7pin plug. and lvl 3 gets you the intragrated brake controller.

My xlt has the lvl 2 tow package.

I added a hopkins tbc from my previous vehicle. I used your post(i think was you) to find the redarc harness I needed. then lokked up the vehicle redarc said it was compatible with, and got the hopkins harness and plugged right in. and works flawlessly.

Glad it worked out for you, I think the basic tow package is the sweet spot in all this. Cost is good and with bronco harness being a plug-in playing it's pretty seamless. Also works with AEB.

 

[ShadowDragon24]

Glad it worked out for you, I think the basic tow package is the sweet spot in all this. Cost is good and with bronco harness being a plug-in playing it's pretty seamless. Also works with AEB.

Yupp. the hopkins is advertised as works with the aeb. its a inertia and proportional controller and when it senses a hard brake, with no brake signal input, it will activate the trailer brakes, and brake lights. and proportional the harder you brake, the harder it applies.

and with the ford harness it was plug and play. the main module is mounted under the trm. and the display and gain are remotes, they have long cables so you can mount where you want, and dont take up a lot of real-estate.

Im also gunna be taking the radio out the fall. to see if the plug is there for the ITBC. my 25 xlt is prewired for heated mirrors, and that. so should be pre wired for the itbc. but when i took the dash trim piece. to get to the harness theres not enough room. either have to cut the dash, or take the radio out. lol

 

[ShadowDragon24]

So i have level2? My stx has the 4 and 7 plus factory reciever under the bumper.

I can just get the stuff you got and have the brake controller also?

Yupp when you look at the window sticker "tow package" aka basic tow. is tow lvl 2 according to ford parts and the diagrams. you just need to get a aftermarket tbc and the ford plug. if they are not updated to show the rangers, get the one for the bronco/f150/expedition etc as its the same plug on the ranger. I linked the hopkins harness and tbc in my link above to comment I made

and the advance tow package is tow package level 3.

lvl 2 and 3 you can can get with the tech package

and the no tow package (bumper hole and 4pin plug) is tow package level 1


https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...-xlt-with-basic-tow-package.20279/post-293293

 

[superj]

Ok, thanks

 

[pezdyspensr]

Does your STX have the gray plug by the firewall in the cab?

So i have level2? My stx has the 4 and 7 plus factory reciever under the bumper.

I can just get the stuff you got and have the brake controller also?

 

[superj]

i need to open it up and look.

Does your STX have the gray plug by the firewall in the cab?

 

[superj]

I looked under my the left side of the driver foot well and this is the only grey plug i can see easily.

 

[pezdyspensr]

Looks like you got it. I am the lone star here with an STX no tow package and no gray plug. Literally the worst combo.

I looked under my the left side of the driver foot well and this is the only grey plug i can see easily.

 

[superj]

I have to ask my son, he has an stx also and no tow package

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