Adding a Brake Controller to a 2004 Ford E-250 Fan with Factory 4-Way Trailer Connector

Updated 02/14/2017 | Published 02/13/2017

Products Featured in This Question

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

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Deka Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot

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Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

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Pollak Circuit Breaker - Cycling/Automatic Reset - 40 Amp - Straight Mount Bracket

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Question:

Im getting confused to what to buy for my E250 Van. Our trailers had to be updated With the 7 pin and trailer brakes we need a good controller and 7 pin round connector. We already have a flat 4 installed what is the best kit for installing and good controller. i have in my cart : TK90160 3035 ETBCT ETBCW It seem that I will have duplicate items. What do I really need?

asked by: Patrick

Expert Reply:

If your 2004 Ford E-250 van came with a factory installed 4-Way trailer connector then all you will need is 4- to 7-Way adapter # 37185 and enough wire, # 10-1-1 sold by the foot, to reach from the cab of the van back to the trailer connector. And of course the brake controller which looks like you have selected # TK90160 and the wiring harness # 3035-P.

If you need the 12 volt circuit to function on the 7-Way then instead of wire 10-1-1 you can use # 10-2-1 which is sold by the foot as well. You will also need a 40 amp circuit breaker # PK54540 which will be installed in line on the 12 volt circuit wire.

I have included some links that will help with this installation but only some of the parts are relevant so follow those parts and ignore the parts that do not pertain to this installation. One big difference is the fact that you will be using harness 3035-P instead of doing a complete hardwire.

What this means is that you won't have to run power and ground wires through the firewall. But you will have to cut the blue wire from the end of 3035-P that plugs into the van and splice it to the 10-1-1 or 10-2-1 wire, route that through the firewall, and then to the blue wire in 37185.