Trailer Wiring Installation on 1999 Ford E450 Van

Updated 10/01/2014 | Published 09/30/2014

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Question:

When you spliced into the harness was it before or after where I see the 2 separate plugs in the video? Then was it wired directly to the 7 prong plug?

asked by: Alan A

Expert Reply:

If you're speaking of the video showing the # 119178 being installed on a 1999 Ford Van (see link), the harness is wired into the vehicle side of the van, closer to the front of the vehicle. The vehicle being wired in the video had a 'separate' taillight system, meaning that the turn signal and brake lamp are combined on the same circuit. You can quickly tell if your vehicle has this type of system by looking at the taillights. If the turn signals use a separate amber bulb or there's an amber lens over the bulb, then the system is wired separately and would be installed as shown in the video.

If however the brake lamps and turn signals use the same bulb, with no amber bulb or lens over the turn signal, the converter would be installed differently. The green, yellow and brown wire would be installed as shown, but the red wire would be grounded with the white wire. You'd also need to run a power wire to the battery, which is why I'd recommend going with the # 119178KIT.

The outputs from the converter box could plug into a 4-pole to 7-way adapter like part # 37185, or the 4-pole connector can be cut off, and wired directly into a 7-way using a connector/pigtail like part # HM40975-11998. The # 37185 would be the easy installation, but using the # HM40975-11998 would be more durable in the long run.