Brake Controller Installation on 2008 Ford E250 Van with No Tow Package
Question:
i am switching from 05 e250 to 08 e250 work van. the 05 came with trailer package that included a 4 pin receptacle for trailer brakes above the differential. the newer 08 did not come with trailer tow pakage, and only has 1 receptacle for turn signals and stop lights. i cant find any other plug in for trailer brakes any where underneath the van, but there is a plug-in under the dash for the brake controler.my question is, are there any wires from under dash to under side of van? does ford not install plug-in, but leave trailer wiring dead-ended some where? sorry for long explanation, any help is appreciated.
asked by: mark w
Expert Reply:
So, the 2008 Ford Van has the 4 pole connector for providing the lighting, but not the 12 volt accessory power or brake output, is that correct?
You will need a 4 to 7-Way Adapter, part # 37185, a length of Jacketed 2 Conductor Brake Wire, part # 10-2-1, a 40 Amp Inline Circuit Breaker, part # 9510 and a Brake Controller Wiring Adapter, part # 3035-P.
Plug the 4 to 7-way adapter into the existing 4 way. Run the wire for the 12 volt accessory lead (if needed) to the positive battery terminal, using the 40 amp inline fuse. Then, run the brake output wire from the trailer connector up to the engine compartment and then through the firewall. You can then mount the brake controller in the desired location. The wiring adapter would wire to the brake controller, color to color with the exception of the blue wire. You will need to attach the blue wire directly to the wire running to the trailer connector that you have run through the firewall, bypassing the wiring adapter.
The blue wire from the port actually runs into the engine compartment, but finding it can be very difficult as its location and wire color can vary from model year to model year. That is why I have recommended you just run your own wire.
Products Referenced in This Question
Deka Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot
- Wiring
- Wire
- Jacketed Wire
- 2 Wire
- 10 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Wiring Adapter
- Plugs into Brake Controller
- Vehicle Specific
- Tekonsha
more information >
Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring Adapters
- Multi-Function Adapter
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- 7 Round - Blade
- Hopkins
more information >
40 Amp In-Line Circuit Breaker - Perpendicular Mount Bracket
- Accessories and Parts
- Wiring
- Circuit Breaker
- 40 Amp
- Pollak
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
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on Trailer Brake Controller
