Brake Controller Installation on 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Updated 08/28/2012 | Published 08/25/2012

Products Featured in This Question

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

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$1.61

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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$14.40

Question:

My Sport Trac has factory tow package for 3500 lbs. We want to add a electric brake. i found the factory plug under the dash and purchased a pig tail to connect to it and the brake controller. We cant find where the wires coming from the front for electric brake are near the rear hitch area. Did Ford run the blue brake wire to the rear and will I have to run a separate one? thanks!

asked by: Rick

Expert Reply:

In my research, I can find no reference whatsoever to a Explorer Sport Trac being equipped with the factory tow package, so it must be a rare option. Which trailer connector does your Sport Trac have?

You can confirm that the connector under the dash is active, and that the pig tail you have had power to the black wire, and the red wire shows voltage when the brake pedal is pressed by using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 on each wire.

If that checks out, you will need to examine the rear frame rail on the driver's side, looking for the blue brake controller output wire.

If you cannot find the wire on the frame rail, it is safe to assume that either the wire has not been ran, or that it terminates in an unknown or inaccessible location. You can sever the blue wire exiting the rear of your controller (see provided diagram), and use a length of 10 gauge wire like part # 10-1-1 to connect the brake controller output circuit to the # 2 terminal on the 7-way trailer connector.

expert reply by: Mike L