Bronco trailer set up and FORD DEALERSHIP ISSUES WITH WIRING HARNESS

DRV
Mar 08, 2024

Rank 0

Mar 08, 2024

I have a new ford bronco black diamond 2023. Recently had a Curtis receiver and Curtis 4 pin wiring harness installed. i wanted the 4 pin connection mounted to or under the bumper, so I the 4 pin connection was like an outlet style connection (sorry I don’t understand the proper terminology to use) with a cover or flap to protect it. When I picked it up at Farm and Fleet, all I had was a four pin connection with loose wires and the four pin connection just hanging there. I clearly told him what I wanted but they didn’t understand so I decided I wouldn’t deal with them more and decided to go to my local Ford dealership. Before going to the dealership I went to ford.com and found a complete wiring harness set up for $279 which includes both the four pin and seven pin connection with a bracket that mounts the set up to or maybe underneath the bumper and Ford advertises $120 connection fee at a local dealer. I went to my local Ford dealer not the one I purchased the car at because it’s too far away they told me I didn’t need the whole $279 set up. They ordered me a four pin and seven pin connection and mounting bracket for $90 but they told me it would take 3 1/2 hours to do the job because they had to take a cover off the bumper.. so the other day I took my car in and that’s when the fun started the dealer called me back and said that the set up that they had told me would work would not work.. they texted me several estimates three different options all around six to $700. I I called and asked them if they could just connect the $$279 wiring harness with 3 1/2 hours labor and that would be all I need at first they told me that would be fine. I got a call back a little while later and was told that the job would be more because there were additional parts and labor needed to make the seven pin connection work, so the new estimate would be around $900. I explained to them I don’t have a seven pin trailer and I don’t care if I’m set up for a seven pin connection I just need the four pin set up. I was told by a guy at the dealership he said my boss doesn’t want to do it that way if you have to set up both the four pin and seven pin or nothing at all , I came into the dealership to pick up my vehicle spoke to the parts department and the service manager and service manager indicated before he could see what they could do for me. He needed to talk to the tech who was supposed to work on my car so now more fun ensues and they can’t find my find my fob and it turns out the tech locked it in his toolbox and now I have to wait a half hour till he comes back to the dealer with my fob. Now the dealer calls me back today and says we can do what you want we can install a $279 wiring harness it will take 3 1/2 hours labor because we have to remove the bumper cover so it’s gonna cost a lot more than $120 that Ford says it should cost on their website. They also said I don’t have to pay for additional parts I can just pay for a seven pin connection. If and when I needed it in the future . SO I’m pretty frustrated and wonder if I’m getting the runaround if they’re charging me too much don’t have much experience with this, any honest input on what people think would be helpful .
Deano Bronc

Rank IV

Mar 08, 2024

#1
Sound awful but not suprised. This has been an issue from day one for many people trying to add hitches and various wiring plug connections.
I can’t really blame dealers for only wanting to do the correct installation. What I have been reading for the last few years is horror stories of folks butchering their wiring and gutting interiors to effectively make things work.
Personally the factory 4 and 7 pin connectors is the way to go. Maybe you have no need but when you come to sell it may be a big deal breaker for some.
Good luck

Rank 0

Mar 08, 2024

#2
Sound awful but not suprised. This has been an issue from day one for many people trying to add hitches and various wiring plug connections.
I can’t really blame dealers for only wanting to do the correct installation. What I have been reading for the last few years is horror stories of folks butchering their wiring and gutting interiors to effectively make things work.
Personally the factory 4 and 7 pin connectors is the way to go. Maybe you have no need but when you come to sell it may be a big deal breaker for some.
Good luck

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. Just wanted to know if maybe I was out of line or my expectations were out of line but I am going to have the dealer install. It just gonna have to bite the bullet.

Rank IV

Mar 08, 2024

#3
Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. Just wanted to know if maybe I was out of line or my expectations were out of line but I am going to have the dealer install. It just gonna have to bite the bullet.
There’s always going to be people that disagree. Do what you feel is best for your Bronco.
Cheers

O-===-O BRONCO, Trail Rated is standard

Mar 09, 2024

#4
The labor always costs more then the Ford site shows. It will be worth it to just purchase the part and install through Ford using a dealership that you input at that time. That's a contract and it is my understanding that Ford requires them to honor that rate and that Ford somehow compensates the dealership.
JoergH

Rank II

Mar 09, 2024

#5
If you order the part on accessories.ford, and add the installation and paid for both. The dealer has to honor it. I have brought numerous items from accessories and paid for install on the site and got it cheaper than paying at the dealership.
23 SAS Badlands 2D Area 51
OrangecrushBronco

No Ragerts

Mar 09, 2024

#6
Sorry to hear about your woes. Installing the proper 4 pin harness is fairly easy and it has been well documented here and on YouTube.

But, if I am reading your post correctly you just need to buy one of these and you will be all set for just $2.80

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- 2023 Raptor / Shadow Black / MGV (DOB 8/30/23)
- 2023 Heritage Limited Edition / Robin’s Egg Blue / 4dr / (stolen from my dealer 11/15/23)
djp, 615_Bronco

Hey y’all, watch this!

Mar 09, 2024

#7
Sorry to hear about your woes. Installing the proper 4 pin harness is fairly easy and it has been well documented here and on YouTube.

But, if I am reading your post correctly you just need to buy one of these and you will be all set for just $2.80

Same thing I was thinking.
‘23 Hot Pepper Red Wildtrak 2.7L-V6 4 dr. MIC Sas Lux and Lovin’ it!!
Bschurr

Rank V

Mar 10, 2024

#8
I had a dealership install the 4/7 pin harness 2 weeks ago. No trouble at all. I used my Ford Pass points to buy the kit. Installation was $180.00. I purchased and installed the hitch receiver myself. No need to remove the bumper cover.
"There's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a Bronco" - John Bronco
Sam I Am 1966

Rank IV

Mar 10, 2024

#9
I can’t believe how many of these posts I have come across.
Moderator

Life is a Highway

Mar 10, 2024

#10
I too waited for it from the factor and I am glad I did. Another one of those constrained items back in the day
JoergH, extra toasty

Driving Daydrinking Daryl

Mar 10, 2024

#11
I too waited for it from the factor and I am glad I did. Another one of those constrained items back in the day

Same here.....
extra toasty, DRV

Rank 0

Mar 10, 2024

#12
There’s always going to be people that disagree. Do what you feel is best for your Bronco.
Cheers

Good tip maybe I’ll cancel install and set it up online with ford when my ford reward points arrive in my account

Rank 0

Mar 10, 2024

#13
If you order the part on accessories.ford, and add the installation and paid for both. The dealer has to honor it. I have brought numerous items from accessories and paid for install on the site and got it cheaper than paying at the dealership.

Thanks for the tip. I didn’t know that this is my first Ford. Much appreciated.

Accepts All Cookies

Mar 10, 2024

#14
I originally ordered the Trailer Tow Package but canceled it when it came time to reorder because it was a constrained item. I got scheduled for production three days later. It might have been a coincidence. Who knows? Anyway, all I needed the hitch for was a bike rack, so no wiring was required. I bought the hitch from Ford and installed it in minutes (I had to drop the bumper, which was simple). I doubt I'll ever get a trailer, but if I do, I'll worry about wiring it up then.
2023 Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch • 2-Door • Velocity Blue • 2.7L V6 • 10-Speed • Lux • Various Mods...
"True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future." - SENECA

Hey y’all, watch this!

Mar 10, 2024

#15
Same here, dropped the hitch (but kept the MIC) and went into production a few days later. When it arrived I drove literally straight across the street to a 4x4 shop and had a hitch installed for around $250. Sure, it’s only a 4-pin but that’s all I need for my small trailer and the limited towing capacity of the Bronco.
‘23 Hot Pepper Red Wildtrak 2.7L-V6 4 dr. MIC Sas Lux and Lovin’ it!!

Rank II

Mar 10, 2024

#16
I have a new ford bronco black diamond 2023. Recently had a Curtis receiver and Curtis 4 pin wiring harness installed. i wanted the 4 pin connection mounted to or under the bumper, so I the 4 pin connection was like an outlet style connection (sorry I don’t understand the proper terminology to use) with a cover or flap to protect it. When I picked it up at Farm and Fleet, all I had was a four pin connection with loose wires and the four pin connection just hanging there. I clearly told him what I wanted but they didn’t understand so I decided I wouldn’t deal with them more and decided to go to my local Ford dealership. Before going to the dealership I went to ford.com and found a complete wiring harness set up for $279 which includes both the four pin and seven pin connection with a bracket that mounts the set up to or maybe underneath the bumper and Ford advertises $120 connection fee at a local dealer. I went to my local Ford dealer not the one I purchased the car at because it’s too far away they told me I didn’t need the whole $279 set up. They ordered me a four pin and seven pin connection and mounting bracket for $90 but they told me it would take 3 1/2 hours to do the job because they had to take a cover off the bumper.. so the other day I took my car in and that’s when the fun started the dealer called me back and said that the set up that they had told me would work would not work.. they texted me several estimates three different options all around six to $700. I I called and asked them if they could just connect the $$279 wiring harness with 3 1/2 hours labor and that would be all I need at first they told me that would be fine. I got a call back a little while later and was told that the job would be more because there were additional parts and labor needed to make the seven pin connection work, so the new estimate would be around $900. I explained to them I don’t have a seven pin trailer and I don’t care if I’m set up for a seven pin connection I just need the four pin set up. I was told by a guy at the dealership he said my boss doesn’t want to do it that way if you have to set up both the four pin and seven pin or nothing at all , I came into the dealership to pick up my vehicle spoke to the parts department and the service manager and service manager indicated before he could see what they could do for me. He needed to talk to the tech who was supposed to work on my car so now more fun ensues and they can’t find my find my fob and it turns out the tech locked it in his toolbox and now I have to wait a half hour till he comes back to the dealer with my fob. Now the dealer calls me back today and says we can do what you want we can install a $279 wiring harness it will take 3 1/2 hours labor because we have to remove the bumper cover so it’s gonna cost a lot more than $120 that Ford says it should cost on their website. They also said I don’t have to pay for additional parts I can just pay for a seven pin connection. If and when I needed it in the future . SO I’m pretty frustrated and wonder if I’m getting the runaround if they’re charging me too much don’t have much experience with this, any honest input on what people think would be helpful .

Tough to hear. I personally like this little $5 flat mount, just drill into your hitch mount or trailer or bottom of bumper.
If you dont need a 7-pin no need for that bulky box.

1710081681642.png
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...QyiTtRutt2MwMSK0r_2NS2ejPWFKZ5mhoC_hUQAvD_BwE


:)
Dan
BroncoBikini.com
100-mph - Waterproof Bimini's
DRV

Rank 0

Mar 13, 2024

#17
Same thing I was thinking.

Tough to hear. I personally like this little $5 flat mount, just drill into your hitch mount or trailer or bottom of bumper.
If you dont need a 7-pin no need for that bulky box.

1710081681642.png
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...QyiTtRutt2MwMSK0r_2NS2ejPWFKZ5mhoC_hUQAvD_BwE


:)
Dan
BroncoBikini.com
100-mph - Waterproof Bimini's


Sorry to hear about your woes. Installing the proper 4 pin harness is fairly easy and it has been well documented here and on YouTube.

But, if I am reading your post correctly you just need to buy one of these and you will be all set for just $2.80

I’m buying the part you suggested plus this one other suggested by Curt trailer that I’m attaching to this but thank you for opening my eyes I went and looked at the back bumper and it looks like there’s plenty of places to mount this. Plus there was one other good connector suggestion that I may try if this doesn’t work but I’m pretty sure that this will work out much appreciate the help. Thank you.

Attachments

Sam I Am 1966, Bschurr

Rank 0

Mar 13, 2024

#18
Tough to hear. I personally like this little $5 flat mount, just drill into your hitch mount or trailer or bottom of bumper.
If you dont need a 7-pin no need for that bulky box.

1710081681642.png
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessorie...QyiTtRutt2MwMSK0r_2NS2ejPWFKZ5mhoC_hUQAvD_BwE


:)
Dan
BroncoBikini.com
100-mph - Waterproof Bimini's

I’m getting a bracket someone else suggested in another part of this post from Curt plus an additional Curt part and after I looked at my bumper it looks like they’ll work just fine but if they don’t work out then I may try your solution because it also looks pretty good thank you for taking the time to make a suggestion. Much appreciated.

That's a terrible idea, when do we start?

Mar 13, 2024

#19
I too waited for it from the factor and I am glad I did. Another one of those constrained items back in the day

Yup, same here. The reason it's such a nightmare is that it's wired into the computer on the Bronco. Once that's done the Bronco will detect a connection and then do things like turn off bind spot detection, etc. Others you have to go into Features and turn on trailer attached yourself to get it to do that.
4 Door BadSquatch | Soft-top | Velocity Blue | 2.7 Auto | Towing | Lux | Leather
TK1215, extra toasty

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