Installing brake controller in base?

Good question I was wondering the same also have base with the curt hitch and 4 pin harness

You can install the brake controller, but without the trailer tow package your vehicle does not have the TRM (trailer module)... this means a couple of things:

• You don't have a 7-pin trailer connector, which would be required to send the trailer brake signal to the trailer itself. You can add a 7-pin connector, but Ford doesn't provide an official Ford Accessory for one, so you'll have to go with an aftermarket option, which would require running a power line from the battery to the rear of the cable, and the trailer brake controller signal from the trailer brake controller to the rear of the vehicle.
• Your brake controller will not integrate with the vehicle's safety systems, such as trailer sway control

The connector by the driver side should have 4 cables going to it:

• White/Violet - Brake Signal from BCM
• Yellow/Red - Battery power
• Black/Blue - Ground
• Brown - Trailer Brake Signal to rear of vehicle

I do not know if Broncos without the trailer tow package has that Brown cable or not. If so... that brown cable should appear on the C201 connector, which is in the engine bay on the driver's side behind the wheel fender. You'd have to add a cable to that plug and run it to the rear of the vehicle.

RagnarKon

You can install the brake controller, but without the trailer tow package your vehicle does not have the TRM (trailer module)... this means a couple of things:

• You don't have a 7-pin trailer connector, which would be required to send the trailer brake signal to the trailer itself. You can add a 7-pin connector, but Ford doesn't provide an official Ford Accessory for one, so you'll have to go with an aftermarket option, which would require running a power line from the battery to the rear of the cable, and the trailer brake controller signal from the trailer brake controller to the rear of the vehicle.
• Your brake controller will not integrate with the vehicle's safety systems, such as trailer sway control

The connector by the driver side should have 4 cables going to it:

• White/Violet - Brake Signal from BCM
• Yellow/Red - Battery power
• Black/Blue - Ground
• Brown - Trailer Brake Signal to rear of vehicle

I do not know if Broncos without the trailer tow package has that Brown cable or not. If so... that brown cable should appear on the C201 connector, which is in the engine bay on the driver's side behind the wheel fender. You'd have to add a cable to that plug and run it to the rear of the vehicle.

Thank you for the information and excellent explanation!
I planned on running the brake signal wire from the controller to the trailer, I won't need the battery cable. I have a single axle trailer I added brakes and tow my side by side on, the entire thing only weighs about 2800#, but having the brakes with my short wheelbase 2 dr Bronco is a safety factor I want (I used to tow this with my Toyota Tacoma, and the added brakes made a huge difference).
I was surprised to find the plug under the dash for the controller, after your explanation this should be an easy hook up, thanks again!

Just wanted to give an update if anyone is interested.
I ordered a cheap Reese brake controller($45), and the plug for the Reese controller to the Ford connector($16). It was almost just a plug in, except I cut the brake control wire at the plug and ran a wire from it all the way back to the trailer plug. Everything works good with the trailer and the gain on the controller works real well.

THIS is why I LOVE forums. quick google search, this was the first thread to show up and now I know what I need to do (roughly) for our 2022 BigBend!

RagnarCon this should "supply" what I am missing yes? Ford OEM wiring

What I want to know is where this part comes into play: Trailer tow harness connector Is that part of the OEM wiring as seen above?

L.R.

LoneRanger

THIS is why I LOVE forums. quick google search, this was the first thread to show up and now I know what I need to do (roughly) for our 2022 BigBend!

RagnarCon this should "supply" what I am missing yes? Ford OEM wiring

What I want to know is where this part comes into play: Trailer tow harness connector Is that part of the OEM wiring as seen above?

L.R.

That is the plug that goes under the dash, then it plugs into the brake controller. But that part you posted I believe just has bare wires not an actual plug for the controller.
This is the plug I used, it plugged right into the Reese controller I bought. Amazon.com: RED WOLF Trailer Brake Control Wiring Harness Adapter Connector for 2009-2019 Ford F-150/Flex/Lincoln, 2019-2021 Bronco Fit Brake Controller to Towing Hitch Trailer Motorhome : Automotive

4x4e350

That is the plug that goes under the dash, then it plugs into the brake controller. But that part you posted I believe just has bare wires not an actual plug for the controller.
This is the plug I used, it plugged right into the Reese controller I bought. Amazon.com: RED WOLF Trailer Brake Control Wiring Harness Adapter Connector for 2009-2019 Ford F-150/Flex/Lincoln, 2019-2021 Bronco Fit Brake Controller to Towing Hitch Trailer Motorhome : Automotive

I see, that modular plug is included in the Ford electric brake kit though. See:Ford / Redarc brake controler
L.R.

LoneRanger
THIS is why I LOVE forums. quick google search, this was the first thread to show up and now I know what I need to do (roughly) for our 2022 BigBend!

RagnarCon this should "supply" what I am missing yes? Ford OEM wiring

What I want to know is where this part comes into play: Trailer tow harness connector Is that part of the OEM wiring as seen above?

L.R.

That first eBay link (Part No. FT1Z-15A416-A) is to add a 4-pin connector. It will not integrate with a trailer brake controller. But if you had a small utility trailer or a boat trailer with a 4-pin connector... that would work just fine. Here is the same part on Ford's Accessories website.

The second eBay link looks like the correct connector if you need to connect into Ford's factory wiring. That same connector is already on the official brake controller kit.

If you already have the trailer tow package, all you need is that brake controller kit to add a brake controller to your vehicle. If you don't have the trailer tow package, Ford does not offer a kit to add a 7-pin connector. So you will also need to buy an aftermarket 7-pin connector setup, and a bunch of cabling to get the various signals to the rear of the vehicle. In an earlier post I listed the cable colors you need in order to splice the trailer brake controller into the factory C201 wiring harness.

We wanted but got tired of waiting for a factory tow package. so now, I have a big bend squatch with no way to drag anything around.

I have ordered the receiver, the factory (4 pin) wiring, AND the brake controler. (all FORD parts)


I will dig up that post, I very much appreciate the help!

L.R.

For those of you that are like me and want a 7 pin system, e trailer has a complete wiring package that is designed to replace a damaged or non existing factory wiring. They also have a list of recommended brake controllers that are compatible with it. Great instructions on how to install as well. I will be putting this system in the near future.

Buy the controller that plugs into the 7 pin. Put the app on your phone, set the brake level you need, bingo/bango you are done. The phone app lets you change on the fly as well. No wire to run or controller to install. eTrailer has them.

James M.

For those of you that are like me and want a 7 pin system, e trailer has a complete wiring package that is designed to replace a damaged or non existing factory wiring. They also have a list of recommended brake controllers that are compatible with it. Great instructions on how to install as well. I will be putting this system in the near future.

Where is the link!

I want to know if I can find the small steel piece that holds the female 7 pin and the flat 4 pin onto the hitch! haha

L.R.

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit...Bronco/2022/TK55VR.html?VehicleID=20226009239

I don’t guarantee it will work. First one I found on the site. Don’t know how/if it effects automatic emergency braking.

LoneRanger

Where is the link!

I want to know if I can find the small steel piece that holds the female 7 pin and the flat 4 pin onto the hitch! haha

L.R.

Sorry about that, here it is:
https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Tekonsha/TK55VR.html

Thought I would contribute here. My "from scratch" trailer tow install. Here’s your shopping list:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09VXRP9NN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WCTNDWV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08YK48XHT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GNM9V4N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Bronco-Custo...mzn1.fos.fa474cd8-6dfc-4bad-a280-890f5a4e2f90
Here’s a link to my controller install:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...troller-install-made-easy.45970/#post-1557985

I used a heavy duty outdoor/weather rated 12 gauge extension cord from Home Depot to run 12 volt +, ground -, and brake circuit from engine bay to the rear. Just cut the ends off run and through the frame rail.

4x4e350

Just wanted to give an update if anyone is interested.
I ordered a cheap Reese brake controller($45), and the plug for the Reese controller to the Ford connector($16). It was almost just a plug in, except I cut the brake control wire at the plug and ran a wire from it all the way back to the trailer plug. Everything works good with the trailer and the gain on the controller works real well.

Did you have a factory hitch and wiring already?

RagnarKon

• White/Violet - Brake Signal from BCM
• Yellow/Red - Battery power
• Black/Blue - Ground
• Brown - Trailer Brake Signal to rear of vehicle.......

This post is almost a year old but pops up in searches. The response by RagnarKon is factual but one part might confuse people. The plug for the electric brake controller is under the dash right above the throttle pedal and is included on all Broncos, factory tow or no factory tow. The two different Broncos I've installed brake controllers on, the brake circuit wire is BLUE, not brown. Blue is the industry standard across all manufacturers for the electric trailer brake actuating circuit wiring.

Ghiaguy0

Did you have a factory hitch and wiring already?

Because 4x4e350 stated that he had cut the wire at connector (under dash) to run the "blue" brake circuit wiring to the rear of vehicle indicates that his Bronco did NOT have factory hitch and wiring. This is the simplest method to accomplish the brake circuit wiring to the rear of vehicle and connect your 7 pin receptacle.