How to Rewire Land Rover Defender with European 13-Pin to US 4-Pole Flat

Updated 10/09/2019 | Published 10/08/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Trailer Connector Adapter for Land Rover - 7-Way, Round Pin, European Style to 4-Way Flat

(99)

$25.94

Mounting Bracket 4-Pole Flat

(6117)

$9.88

Curt Powered Tail Light Converter w/ 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector and Install Kit

(141)

$165.66

Question:

Hello oh, I have a 1988 Land Rover defender with a 13 pin plug. I would like to hookup my US trailer. The trailer has a flat plug. What do you recommend to upgrade the European 13 pin. I would like to have a new receiver plug on the truck that is US to make it easier when I tow different trailers. I assume I need a wiring kit as well as a new receiver plug. What would you recommend?

asked by: Peter

Expert Reply:

To rewire your 1988 Land Rover Defender with a European 13-Pin plug, I recommend the 4 Pole Harness # C59496. This is ideal since it will combine your current 3-wire system into a simple 2-wire system which is the standard for US trailers. This Modulite connects directly to your battery to prevent drawing too much power from your Defender's tail lights. You can use # 18144 to securely mount the plug to your hitch.

This kit also comes with a basic circuit tester which you will need to use to test the functions of your 13-Pin plug. Once identified, you can connect them to the corresponding wires on the # C59496 as follows:

Red Wire - Brake Lights
Yellow Wire - Left Turn Signal
Green Wire - Right Turn Signal
Brown Wire - Tail Lights/Running Lights
White Wire - Ground

The 13-Euro Plug has the following functions, of which you will only use 1 and 3-7:

1 - L/H Indicator (yellow)
2 - Fog Light (blue)
3 - Earth (white)
4 - R/H Indicator (green)
5 - R/H Sidelight (brown)
6 - Brake Lights (red)
7 - L/H Sidelight (black)
8 - Reverse Light (yellow or pink)
9 - 12 V Supply (green)
10 - Fridge (blue)
11 - Earth for Fridge (red, white/black or clear)
12 - Spare (brown, white/blue or beige)
13 - Earth for pin 9 (white or white/red)

*This is a typical guide, wire colors may vary.

Note that you will need to consolidate 5 and 7 to connect to the brown wire on the # C59496 and leave out the rest of the wires/functions that are not used in the US 4-Flat.

I have attached a Trailer Wiring FAQ at the bottom of this page which I recommend checking out.