What Parts Do I Need to Wire a Brake Controller on My 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup

Expert Reply:

If you have a working factory 4-way flat trailer connector then you will need a brake controller, a brake controller adapter a length of 10 gauge (blue preferably) wire long enough to reach the rear of the vehicle and a 4 pole to 7 pole adapter.

The Tekonsha P2 Proportional Brake Controller with Dodge Adapter, part # 90885-3020P, that you selected is a very good brake controller and comes with the vehicle specific wiring harness for your Dodge pickup.

The adapter, part # 30717, and wire, part # 10-1-1, are installed at the rear and then you have to run the blue wire (brake feed) to the front of the vehicle on the drivers side under the hood and splice it to the blue wire at the connector on the wheel well (see link below). Use a circuit tester, part # 3808 if you need one, to be sure you have the wire that goes hot when you press the brake pedal. The 7-way connector will be installed by plugging the 4-way in and then wiring the other wires needed such as the brake wire (blue), 12 volt accessory wire (black), and the auxiliary power wire (orange) if they are needed.

If a hot lead or auxiliary wiring is needed, they would need to be connected to the battery via a circuit breaker. Those wires would then connect to the black wire and center pole on the 7-way trailer connector adapter, respectively.

expert reply by: Bob G