Dexter Predator Brake Controller 58-8 Installation in 2005 Ford F150

Updated 04/19/2013 | Published 04/17/2013

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Question:

Cant locate the charge wire and brake light wire. The turn signals and the brake lights work. Controller does not apply brakes. I have a 7 wire hook-up and only 4 wires can be located on the truck. I am trying to use the Predator DX2 part # 058-008-00 and the wiring harness that plugs in under the dash that plugs in to a gray 4-way plug.

asked by: Larry W

Expert Reply:

If your 2005 Ford F-150 has only 4 wires at the bumper (or only a 4-pole connector) and you need to install a 7-way vehicle-side connector, you could use the Hopkins # 37185. If you already have the 7-way connector on your truck, you will need to make the additional wire connections for the brake controller. (The 4 wires you have carry the brake light, running light and turn light signals for your trailer, plus a ground: white = ground, brown = running/brake lights, green = right turn signal and yellow = left turn signal.)

Please refer to the photo attached; this shows the Hopkins 7-way connector and includes labels for the functions carried on each wire. If you have a 4-pole connector this will plug into the 4-pole lead on the Hopkins adapter (or if you have bare wires you can cut off the 4-pole on the Hopkins adapter and connect these to the 4 wires from the vehicle color for color). It is always a good idea to use a circuit tester like # PTW2979 to confirm wiring functions, however.

Ford wires the front of the vehicle as if it will be manufactured with a 7-Way plug. All the 7-Way wires are run to a connector on the frame rail; they may not continue all the way to the rear bumper. Follow the 4-way trailer connector wires from the trailer connector toward the front of the vehicle. These wires connect to a factory plug along the frame rail, usually on the driver's side, between the back tires and the rear bumper.

Snip the blue and orange Ford wires next to the plug coming from the front of the truck. Connect them to the blue and black wires on the 7-way adapter. Using a self-tapping screw, secure the white wire to the vehicle frame to ground the adapter. You may wish to refer to the included article on trailer brake controller installation in Ford trucks. I have also include a second image showing a vehicle-side 7-way and where each wire/function should attach.

You will also want to make sure that all fuses/relays required for towing are installed in the fuse box under the hood.

expert reply by: Adam R