Recommended 7-Way Connector and Brake Controller for a 1996 Dodge Ram w/out Factory Connectors

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Question:

96 dodge ram 1500 with NO factory wiring harness for trailer lights/brakes. What do I need to add a 7 pole connector AND brake controller. Your previous answers refer to a truck WITH a 4 prong factory wiring harness already installed. Im starting from scratch....what to I need?

asked by: Bill C

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

To install a 7-Way harness on your 1996 Dodge Ram without the factory connector, you will need two separate wiring harnesses because they don't make just one that'll do the job.

The first harness you'll need is the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
Item # C55329. This custom-fit T-connector plugs into your Dodge's wiring harness, which is located behind the rear bumper, on the driver's and passenger's sides. This will provide you with a 4-flat connector.

The second harness you will need is the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller item # ETBC7. The kit includes a pre-wired 7- and 4-way trailer connector that mounts easily at the rear of your truck with an included bracket. This kit is designed for use on a vehicle with an existing 4-way flat trailer connector and plugs directly into it.

To add a brake controller, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 item # 90195. This is a proportional brake controller that activates your trailer's brakes based on the deceleration of your truck's braking action. The brakes activate immediately, there is no pausing like with time-delayed brake controllers.

I have linked installation videos to all three of these parts below to help you get them set up.

expert reply by: Jerred H

1

Answer 1

The two products you compare, 4-pole trailer wiring harnesses #118329 and #C55329, are functionally the same and connect to your 1999 Dodge Dakota in exactly the same way. Both take stop/tail/turn light signals from your Dakota and through plug-in…

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Answer 2

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 3

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 4

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 5

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 6

Yes, it will work. You'll just need to cut the Lance 6-pin connector out and rewire it into the etrailer Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit w/ Junction Box and RV Style Connector item #e99011. Here are the individual functions of that Lance 6-pin:…

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Answer 7

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 8

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 9

Hey Jeff. There is definitely a correlation between weight and capacity. I've listed the weight of all three of the Power Mountain Tallboy Off-Road Bottle Jacks we have below: Power Mountain Tallboy Off-Road Bottle Jack - 7-15/16" to…

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Answer 10

Hey Jon; I was actually just talking to Furrion about heat options for the Chill Cube yesterday (1/21/2025). At this time, the only way to have heat with this unit is through a furnace on a ducted setup. The Furrion Chill Cube RV AC w/ Air…

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Answer 11

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 12

Since wire color codes are NOT universal, we always recommend wiring by function, rather than wire color. If you look at the Trailer Wiring FAQ article I have linked you to, you can see some diagrams showing the proper way to wire a vehicle and…

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Recommended 7-Way Connector and Brake Controller for a 1996 Dodge Ram w/out Factory Connectors

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