How to Install a Trailer Brake Controller on a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 with Factory 4-Way

Updated 10/31/2013 | Published 10/30/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Predator DX2 Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 2 Axles - Proportional

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$167.11

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

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$3.91

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

(962)

$19.70

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

(49)

$7.40

Question:

i am trying to add a trailer break control to my 1996 dodge ram 1500 4x4 but i cant seem to find where the connector is. it has one somewhere just dont know where. also i had a 4 flat trailer light connector and i bought a 4 flat to a 4 flat 7 blade combo and im not sure about the trailer break wire, the reverse wire and the aux wire. so complicated.

asked by: Colin T

Expert Reply:

On a 1996 Dodge Ram that came with a factory 4-Way trailer connector there is a factory harness you can plug into to install a brake controller. The harness is located underneath the dash, to the left of the steering column, taped to another harness near the emergency brake pedal. I have included a link to a video that should help.

For the Dexter brake controller, # 58-8 you referenced, you would need wiring harness # 3020-P.

To wire in your 7-Way that you have you will need to hardwire the 4 wires. White grounds to the vehicle frame. The reverse light wire will need to connect to a reverse light wire at a reverse light. The wire is otherwise not easily accessible. The power wire will need to connect to the positive battery terminal via a 40 amp circuit breaker, # PK54540. You will need some additional wire for this. You will also need wire for the brake output wire. You can use wire # 10-2-1. This is 2 wires, use the white for the brake wire and the black for the power wire.

Attach the wires to the 7-Way then route them under the truck forward, avoiding areas that could pinch or burn the wire. Separate out the black wire and run it up through the engine compartment near the battery. Attach the circuit breaker to the metal of the engine compartment then bring up the black wire to it. Cut off the slack and attach the end to the AUX post. Using the left over wire, attach one end to the BAT post and then other end to the positive battery terminal.

The white wire will actually need to go to a connector at the driver side front wheel well. The brake (blue) wire from where the brake controller plugs in, does not run all the way back to the 4-pole at the rear; it stops at the connector that is located under the drivers side wheel well. In order to finalize the installation you must splice into this wire using the white wire you ran.