2019-2021 Ford Ranger OEM Trailer Brake Controller Install
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- Опубликовано: 23 июн 2021
- Hey everyone welcome back to Harles Garage. In this video I show you how I installed the Ford OEM (by Redarc) Trailer Brake Controller kit. It might seem a little bit daunting at first but it wasn't too hard of an install. Hopefully this helps you out if you're looking to install the FORD TBC yourself.
#FordTrailerBrakeController #FordRanger #Ranger
Ford Ranger Trailer Brake Controller Install
How to install Trailer Brake Controller Ford Ranger
Ford OEM Trailer Brake Controller Install
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Updated 2023 Ford Ranger: First off thanks again for this video huge leg up on this project. I wanted to say I'm fairly handy but here are some nuances I ran into and honestly they were painful.
#1. popping off plastic panels i did break one or 2 of those pop clips which i think are the greatest and worst things invented. No big deal.
#2. The 2023 2 wires blue/yellow under the dash are the same, but they are end covered with an 1 inch of already shrunk hard cover... it was difficult to get off and worried getting that off and having enough reachable wire to connect. Hindsight 20/20... make sure you have a very good wire stripper(not one of the bargain ones) or cut long ways with razor to open up the sheathing without losing wire.
#3. The video here seemingly shows the plastic white brake light wire adapters... the kit comes with white and gray plastic adapters and my 2023 uses the gray. That said.. something was way off on the machining of those adapters and/or the 6 tiny cable pins that go into those 2 adapters. You have to match the 6 wires to the correct adapter and have the colors in the correct pin position... which tedious enough was still understandable. But when inserting the pins into the adapters the pins wouldn't go in or they would break... (Extremely irritating...) has to be a better way. In the end i was able to get 5 pins properly using the adapter but on one i had cut join one of the wires manually (thus cutting one of the factory wires because the plug in play adapter wouldn't work.) As expensive as this kit was this part should have been much easier...
#4. On the pillar post where you remove the seatbelt and pull away the plastic cover (Be careful) If you want that pillar post to snap back solidly when you're done you don't want to lose the 2 metal clips right behind that seatbelt bolt are 2 veritical and the little metal clips that sit into the holes come out ez and can fall back into the cab wall making it impossible to retrieve without nightmare amount of work.
Thanks Harles Garage for posting this video. I installed my controller yesterday and found this video super helpful. Only thing I did different was install the control knob in the driver side 12v socket.
Just to answer some of the Qs here:
- it took me a Saturday to do it. But I did go quite slow, and also pulled out the center console trim to checkout installing the control knob there. (but opted for the 12v socket instead).
- There is a way to tap into the 3rd brake wire under the dash somewhere, but you'll have to splice some wires, and actually running to the headliner was way easier than I expected even without the rear window.
- Tip: make sure those 2 pairs of 3 wires (black, purple, pink/white) for the CHMSL get pushed all the way into those either black or grey connectors until they click. If they didn't click, you might have the wires upside down, or otherwise, but you didn't do it right.
I'm having a hard time with the connections to the third brake light. I struggled to get the wires to line up correctly but finally was able to get the plugs to connect to each other. After all of that my 3rd brake light now doesn't work. Is there anything I'm missing here? I'm so frustrated with it I had to walk away.
@@gmaspoon Yeah for sure check that last tip that I mentioned above about feeling/hearing those 3 wire lugs “clicking” into both of those connectors. If they are not clicked in they won’t be positioned long enough inside the body of the connector to make a proper connection. And If you pushed in the small white piece at the front of either of those connectors you won’t be able to push the wires in properly. In that case you’ll need to pull that white part out again and start over.
Nicely done. I didn't realize Ford sold a controller specifically for the Ranger. Appreciate the detail you put into the video and how you showed every step along the way.
Thanks for the effort that went in to making this quality video! Just bought a 19 ranger about 4 months ago and this is on the top of the list of things for me to do as I get ready for my overlanding trailer build. This is really going to help me a lot. Had a full size Ford F-150 and it also did not come with a factory installed brake controller and I had to do that myself but it was much easier than this job is going to be! I can assure you you save me some time and frustration by seeing you do it first. Keep the ranger videos coming!
Very much appreciated this video. Looking at the OEM Module for my truck, but the install looked a little daunting. Confident I can do it now. Thanks again!
Well-done! I like the step by step approach and video. I plan to use it, hitting "pause" for each step, as I install mine this weekend.
Perfect timing! I just bought a Ranger on Wednesday and ordered the OEM controller today. Very helpful!
Awesome ! Enjoy
You have a link?
Missed the Ranger vids! Great content as always!
Thank you.!
GREAT video!
I just picked up a 2019 Ranger and a brake control module kit. I was doing greatright until the wires at the back. The module has black-purple-orange w/wh stripe.
The light connectors are Y-W-B on female side and orange(brn)-wh-blk on the male side.
Now I am stumped, but I did tuk everything away nice and neat to come back to it.
I want to also say thanks for going over the barbed wire on this one for us... Very well done.
My Ranger had a 4 wire harness near the left kick panel marked with blue tape. Trailer brake controller wired up to them, then I bolted the controller to the bracket under dash. My break controller replaces one of the 12 volt plugs in the center console right next to my right knee.
Just asking so it’s clear, you didn’t have to run them brake trigger to the third brake light? I thought that step in this video seemed unnecessary, should be able to locate a trigger under the dash.
Beat installation instructions out there on this somewhat PITA TBC install. Thank you.
Thank you !
Great video, wish I would have seen this before I did mine. I did do a video on it, but not a professional as yours. Great job.
Thank you so much! The paper "picture-only" instructions are confusing as hell. This is a clear, concise tutorial.
You make it look easy. Just ordered a brake controller, the local dealer won't install it because "it's too difficult," so I guess I'm going to DIY. Appreciate the step by step, should reduce the time I need to install it quite a lot.
Got the same story from the Ford dealer here. "To difficult". My question is: what do they do when a car comes in for service with a problem that is slightly more complicated than an oil change? Farm it out? I thought the guy was kidding when he told me it was to hard to do.
@@671mach Funny I just did my first oil change (literally this afternoon). Filter is a little tricky to get at, I figured if installation of the brake controller was too difficult for the dealer, this might be too tricky for them too ;-). Not bad to DIY, but did have to go to the parts store to get a filter wrench that would fit. Not much room inside to fit a strap wrench around the filter, had to get one of the cup kinds.
Module just arrived in the mail. Just need the Whataburger. Heading there now.
Haha! Figured someone would spot that
Thanks. This gives me an understanding of what I am facing. I think I'll have a little more trouble connecting to the 3rd brake light as I don't have a sliding rear window.
Would the over ride only light up the 3rd brake light
@@fulledbyarm It's been a while, so I'm not sure what you mean by 'over ride'. Ford kind of botched up the wiring in these trucks. When you push the brake pedal, a signal is sent to the module to apply brakes to the trailer. But if the Collision Avoidance, Automatic Emergency Braking or Adaptive Cruise Control are engaged by the computers, a signal would not be sent to the module to apply brakes to the trailer. The reason for connecting to the 3rd brake light is to get a brake signal FROM the 3rd light to activate the trailer brake control module.
Could you do a video on how to set it or calibrate it. Thanks
There's a lot of confusion about the unused white and violet/white wire. White is ground. It's not necessary because the brake controller module has a black wire with a ground lug already installed that connects to the other grounds, as shown in the video. The violet/white is the actual brake pedal signal (called BOO, or Brake On/Off). If you have emergency braking (EB) and adaptive cruise control (ACC) YOU CANNOT USE THIS WIRE. This is because if the EB or ACC applies the vehicle brakes, this wire does not indicate that. It's ONLY active if the brake pedal is depressed by the driver, not the EB or ACC system. While you could trace the 3rd brake light wire back to somewhere under the dash, you'd need to split open the harness (as others have mentioned) and free the wire enough to use one of those crappy vampire taps. So it's just easier for everyone (in Ford's mind) to tee into the existing connector up near the 3rd brake light.
If you do NOT have EB or ACC, then you could use the violet/white wire, since the only way the vehicle brakes can be applied is by the driver. But Ford isn't going to ask you to figure out which option you have, it's just easier to write the installation instructions to cover the worst case. Also, why'd you buy a vehicle without EB or ACC? Adaptive cruise control is the best thing since round wheels.
Surely there is a better way acquire a signal from the brake light system than to tear the interior apart. IJS
So it seems but after doing this install it makes sense to do it this way. This allows you to connect to the third brake light with simple plugs. Connecting under the dash would be messy and would require cutting into bundles, cutting wires and re-soldering. Connecting the two wires under the dash is tricky enough given the space. Removing and replacing trim was easy. So, I had the same thoughts as you but after doing the install myself this way makes more sense.
This was very helpful. I’m learning more and more about my Ranger watching these videos. 👍
Glad to be of some help !
Thanks man helped like Crazy
This video does not show the 3 pins wire connector, the sequence of the wires should be? thank you.
Great video
I just got the same brake controller installed on my 2022 Ranger by my Ford dealership, but I'm not sure if they did it correctly. Does your show 0 at the top when it's all the way to the left and 10 at the top when it's all the way to the right/on max? Mine doesn't
My ranger did not come with a tow package, But ive added my own hitch and I've added a 4pin to 7 round adapter. So Will installing this work through the adapter
My 2019 Ranger came with the Tow Package but not the Brake Controller as well. What is up with Ford! I just bought one of these to install now I watched your video. Thank you!
Well done!
Thank you for your great video, do you have a link to buy the trailer break controller? thank you.
I simply use a bluetooth brake controller and it works great.
Hey Harles Garage do you have to have it programmed after you install it or is it ready to go?
I just installed it but don’t understand how to calibrate it or set it up. Can you make a video on that ?
Thanks. Great video and really helped because the instructions included are awful. Easy instillation. I was able to do the install without removing the seatbelt harness and seat pillar trim. There’s enough room to work the wiring harness behind and into the ceiling headliner. Again, thanks.
The way you installed the Brake Unit was very impressive and Neat, fair dues. Question why Does'nt Nissan install the brake controller UNIT AND WIRING when Ranger been assembled, see'ing as they have the ''brake plug'' unit already fitted outside? Liam in IRELAND
You mean Ford, not Nissan? I question this too. You have a "tow package" without a brake controller quick connection? SMH
Will this installation and kit work for the 2022 Ford Ranger?
It’s so stupid that Rangers with the towing package don’t come with a brake controller. They like to tout the 7500 lbs towing capacity which is great for a midsize but you’d be crazy to tow that kind of weight without a brake controller and trailer brakes. I guess it’s all about those Benjamin’s. You’d think there would be some liability on their end if someone towed that kind of weight and wrecked because the truck’s brakes had faded to non existent from overuse. The diesel Colorado can tow that kind of weight and comes with a brake controller. I think even some of the gas models come with it too.
Yeah Even my old Titan which didnt have the controler was prewired so your could easily connect any controller. This is pretty lame from Ford
@@rickybobby8224 the ranger is prewired. It just doesn’t have the controller. I bought the curt wireless controller. Works fine on the ranger.
@@JonBecker81 Do you have the adaptive cruise control option? And you'd really trust a wireless device to apply brakes for you in an emergency situation? I work in the RF world, and I damn well wouldn't.
@@JCWren i do have the adaptive cruise control and no it doesn’t work with the wireless. It won’t work with any brake controller unless it’s the ford installed controller. I’ve never had any problems with it disconnecting and even if it did it’s not like I’m pulling a 20k lb load.
Wife’s 2021 Ranger with tow package is already wired for trailer brake controller. It’s right on the price tag.
The tow package includes the hitch receiver and 7-pin trailer harness. They are wired for brake controller, but probably doesn't have the actual modules to do so unless it was dealer installed. My '21 has the tow package, but the control module is a dealer item and has to be installed.
Will this system work if I skip the connection for the 3rd brake light. Thanks
6:46 Whataburger! You're making me hungry and the nearest one is 25 miles away.
So if i have the 4 pin connector and need a 7 pin where do I run the brake control wire??
Aah David i ''slipped up'', i should have said FORD Ranger, where i got ''nissan'' from, must be the long hours and early morning starts that's getting or ''old age'', again great video, sorry about the mistake, Liam in IRELAND
If you wire it to the headliner brake how does it get information from the 7 pin?
Thanks for making the video. The unit doesn't really look like an OEM should to me. If it didn't work any better than some other third party I can't see why I'd get one. Maybe it does work better, be great to hear comments about it.
It's the only controller that works with the Adaptive Cruise Control. If you don't have that option then any controller will work.
Ford kind of botched up the wiring in these trucks. When you push the brake pedal, a signal is sent to the module to apply brakes to the trailer. But if the Collision Avoidance and Automatic Emergency Braking are engaged by the computers, a signal would not be sent to the module to apply brakes to the trailer. The reason for connecting to the 3rd brake light is to get a brake signal FROM the 3rd light to activate the trailer brake control module.
Yeah, in typical Ford fashion, they really screwed the pooch on this. You'd think the designers had never grasped the concept that a pickup truck might be used to tow a trailer. If they'd done it correctly, it would A) be built into whichever ECU handles braking, or B) at least used a CAN bus interface and it would consist of adding the knob and plugging in a control box. None of this idiotic splicing into the 3rd taillight.
@@JCWren especially since towing and payload are the crown jewels for this midsized truck. Can't believe they left this piece out... Also upset that the non-US 2022 versions have an integrated brake controller. One would think that since Ford is an American company US would be 1st to get the latest stuff. Just bought a 2023 today. I knew it was missing the controller but wasn't anticipating having to wire all the way to the cab brake light.
Isn't there a way to tap that third brake wire at the fuse box or something?
How long does this install take?
Great video. How long should it take a Ford tech to do this installation?
Probably in a shorter time than it took me 😂. Filming always makes it take longer
I've ordered my trailer brake controller, but the Ford dealership says the unit needs to be programmed. How did you handle the programming?
Ford uses a RedArc TowPro Elite (plus a Lumen module to read the brake light). Calibration is basically just going for a drive or two so that it can figure out how it's oriented. I don't recall doing anything else when I installed mine.
I have a 2019 ranger fx4, I tow a trailer and a tow dolly. if you put the truck in tow haul mode, the truck actually will down shift when you are slowing down while pushing on brakes. I have never had an issue slowing down or stopping. not knocking this video, but crazy tearing whole side of truck apart.
Why are you running a wire all the way to the 3rd brake light? at the 4:00 mark those other 2 smaller wires are ground and brake switch signal.
Did you say this was a Ford kit from their parts department?
One more follow up on your injector issue; do you always use “top tier” fuel? My understanding is that fuel is refined better for the turbo charger.
Yes this is the Ford Kit.
And I almost always do. Most gas stations in my area offer it. I run 93 octane. I’m changing my oil this weekend so I’ll be doing another update soon. But everything seems fine so far.
Any other video or instructions on exactly how you went about tapping into the third light? My kit came with the 4 small clips both gray and black and the 6 separate wires I’m guessing go in those clips but I’m not exactly sure how to go about doing it
How long did it take you?
Doesn’t the third brake light wire come from dash or kick panel area? Surely you can tap into brake light control without going to rear of truck.
If you do this install you will realize that it is much easier to connect to the third brake light as the system is plug and play. Connecting under the dash would require cutting open bundles, cutting wires and re-soldering wires which is difficult given the space. Removing trim panels is easy and if you have done this once, this is the easiest option, particularly for Ford workshops.
This is Ford's 'authorized' method of installing the module. As Ben said, you could cut and splice wires elsewhere, but there is no way that Ford would allow their techs to cut into and splice wires.
There are 2 other wires under dash, white ground wire and violet for the brake pedal signal. No need to tear apart the interior at all.
If you have ACC and emergency braking then yes you do need it, to work with such systems. It need the signal from the third brake light. If you don't have or use the systems then yes you can just use the brake pedal signal otherwise
@@SPVenom36 I think you misunderstood my comment in this video he only shows the two wires there are two other wires taped up under there as well for those purposes. It's possible they started putting them there on the later models but they are there
@Joe Wilson, do you have a link to any instructions that cover that?
I’m confused, you ran a wire back to the brake light while another video from e trailer uses only the 4 wires under the dash to connect the TBC. How many wires did you have under the dash?
The Ranger has Automatic Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control, but the brake wire under the dash is only connected to the brake pedal. In order for AEB or ACC to activate the trailer brakes, a brake light signal is used instead of brake pedal signal. Ford provides a Lumen module that reads from the center brake light at the rear of the cab. The brake pedal cable is left unused. It's believed to be an oversight by Ford. After AEB and ACC were added to the vehicle for North America, they should have changed the wiring, but never did.
@@technicallyreal I have been looking for THIS answer everywhere
I'm trying to figure out why the truck wire gauges don't match the controller wire gauges.
How long does it take to do it?
Same here !
Just had mine installed by the dealership today. Do you run your controller on automatic or manual control?
How much did they charge? How much is just the controller?
@@jimh.412 I paid about 350 for the all. I got a cost discount for buying the truck.
@@timmartin3927 Cool. Is that with labor? Do you know how long it took them? Thanks!
@@jimh.412 it was with Labor. Took about six hours. But, the guy kept doing other jobs.
You should put the link for the module!
Is your truck equipped with the tow package?
Yeah he said in the beginning of the video
Installed the oem controller. Third brake works( the white light) but does not work when brakes are pressed (red light). Any one experience this? Thanks I’m advance.
Just installed mine, same issue, did you figure it out?
Do you have a link for this Ford controller and kit?...
You can search for Levittown Ford. You can get it thru them for $280.
It’s hard to believe that Ford doesn’t have a multi pin connector under the dash all ready to go. It’s almost absurd that you have to terret apart to hook into the third brake light. I would think the tow package would come with that wire in the cab just like your yellow and blue.
So you can get the standard RedARC controller for $215, but it coss $349 to ad the lumen controller that it is needed to connect to the thrid break light for the extra safety features? What a FORD thing to do. I can certainly see the advantage of utilizing the additional features, but has anyone had real world experience with these features in use? I generally don't use cruise control when I am towning my trailer and generally keep my distance. Thanks
You can get it for $280 from Levittown Ford, look it up. It's needed for more than just cruise control. Ford kind of botched up the wiring in these trucks. If the Collision Avoidance and Automatic Emergency Braking are engaged by the computers, a signal would not be sent to the module to apply brakes to the trailer. The reason for connecting to the. 3rd brake light is to get a brake signal FROM the 3rd light to activate the trailer brake control module.
I am also using Ryobi tools to complete this job 😂
nice ... did it work as expected ?
Yes it did. I’ll do a full video on the actual controller itself after I use it a bit more
Why didn’t you just use the four wires under the dash?? No need to go all the way to the third brake light.
Ok but where did you connect to power?
From the wires you heat shrink near the kick panel.
Lol can't you just get the curt wireless trailer brake
If you hook it up under dash creates problems explained in other videos
#1 reason there is not a ranger in my driveway. For a company that always tries to 1up the competition on towing capability the oversight of not using the same integrated brake controller of the F series is huge. As far as I can tell you cannot manually apply trailer brake in a emergency situation where there trailer is swaying and you don't want to brake the truck. Even the new low end ford maverick includes a integrated brake controller with their tow package. I suspect this is because ford didn't want to change much from the European version and the ranger we got was basically leftovers from an already aging truck.
Agree 100% but despite this it's an awesome truck.
I installed the same Redarc controller in my Tacoma. To manually apply the brakes you push the knob in.
Welcome to "One Ford". We'll sell under-engineered European/Australian designs to Americans and act surprised when they don't hold up. See EcoBoost head gaskets and block cracking, PowerShift transmissions, PowerStroke CP4 failures...
I couldn't take it anymore! Why that annoying music?!!! I'll have to come back later... it's too early and it gave me a headache.
He said 2024 Ford ranger lol..
Too much work
Damn dude. Turn that horrible music down.
Another video destroyed by stupid music.
Thumbs down! Long intro, bad music, blah, blah, blah. Just the facts man. Get to the point.
Well done!