Recommended 7-Way Wiring and Brake Controller Installation on 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 with 4-Way Wiring

Published 02/23/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6614)

$179.85

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

(323)

$3.94

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Dodge

(961)

$18.94

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3373)

$121.30

Hopkins Endurance Quick-Install Trailer Connector Adapter - 4-Way Flat to 7-Blade

(47)

$34.36

Question:

Okay I am going to use the p3 controller the etbc7 and the adapter 3020-p for 1996 dodge ram 2500 .I understand I am fishing thru chassis the 10 guage wire from the 7 prong goes to pos. battery terminal with the inline 40 amp fuse Where does other wire go in the gray duplex harness . I think youre saying to splice into blue wire for brake controller which I have not located yet Am I looking in the wiring harness by fuse box top of wheel well. Is a 10 guage wire lite blue or regular blue 14guage????

asked by: Gary

Helpful Expert Reply:

For your 1996 Dodge Ram 2500, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 for your brake controller which will connect to the factory harness you mentioned using wiring harness # 3020-P. This brake controller is easy to use with its presets and LCD screen.

For the 7-way, you will then use # ETBC7 and splice into the factory wiring located under the driver's side wheel well. This will give your the wiring functions needed to complete your 7-way and give you the brake controller functionality.

expert reply by: Jason S

Gary

2/23/2018

If i have the tow plug for brake controll under dash board area why would i use the brake controll without a end plug with a dodge adapter harness with plug ends.

Jason S.

2/23/2018

When you add a brake controller to your 1996 Ram 2500, you will use the wiring harness to make the dash connection clean and easy. For some reason, the manufacturer terminated the wires for the brake output and 12V power just above the wheel well on the driver's side instead of running them all the way back. You will need to use extra wiring to connect the 7-way to that wiring. You don't need to use the # ETBC7 for that, that is just one option. You may choose to use the Hopkins # HM47200 along with wiring like # 10-2-1 sold by the foot for the brake output and 12V connections.

Gary

2/23/2018

Jason S.

2/23/2018

Since you are running the 12V wire to the battery, I recommend you bypass the frame rail wiring and splice into your Brake Controller output wiring in the harness. You will use the black wire of the duplex wiring in the # ETBC7 kit for your 12V power and then you will use the white wire of that duplex wiring for your brake controller output wire that will connect to the blue wire of your wiring adapter # 3020-P. I've attached a couple videos to assist that completely hardwire the brake controller, which you can do if you desire instead of using the adapter # 3020-P. The only real benefit to the wiring adapter at this point is not splicing into your brake light switch, but I personally would save the money on the adapter and just hardwire it. I've attached some videos to assist. The benefit of hardwiring is that you will have a thicker gauge of wire than the factory wiring.