Trucks w/o Tow Package?

joeb427

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FYI...I HIGHLY recommend Tasca Ford parts. I got the harness parts in about 3 weeks when most places said they were on "national backorder".

Now to install them and order a hitch (that I'll probably never use LOL)
I wouldn't use the hitch but love the look. I hate the plug cutout line on the plastic trim. I would go oem but not a fan of the $700+ cost dealer install with parts.
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mransr

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I think I am more excited about picking a hitch cover :crackup:
 

PNW_Ranger87

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Awesome info in here! I'm glad I went through this thread before buying the cheaper aftermarket hitch. I don't think my setup would have allowed for the clearance lost by using the add-on hitch.
 

RangerFropa

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For those of you that installed the OEM Towing Hitch, what are you doing with the original non-Towing Hitch, harness, and plastic trim piece?
 

DrSafety

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I didn't install the OEM Hitch but I did install the OEM wiring harness with the 7 and 4 pin connectors. The old harness is in a box in my garage. No plans to do anything with it.
 


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To reiterate what was previously shown earlier on in this thread, the rear bumper center section is different when your truck has the factory tow package.

It's modified to move the hitch receiver up higher, thus giving the truck a better rear approach angle.

I'm surprised they don't make note of this on shop.ford.com?

Factory vs Aftermarket Hitch.jpg


Without Tow Package.JPG
With Tow Package.JPG
 

RangerFropa

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Those bumper trim pieces on both sides of the receiver are included inside the box with the OEM tow hitch. They're listed as parts B and C in the trailer hitch installation instructions.

Speaking of the installation instructions, I found a couple of typos/errors (at least in my experience). a.) Section 20 lists a T35, but it's actually a T40. b.) Section 17 lists 10 mm, but it's actually 13 mm. No biggies, just worth noting.
 

Stic-o

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I have a factory hitch if anyone is interested. My truck was rear ended, and it only bent a simple brace for the rear bumper, that can be bent back with pliers, nothing structural. PM me a offer, for pickup up in So Cal.
 

Gguillory

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I wouldn't use the hitch but love the look. I hate the plug cutout line on the plastic trim. I would go oem but not a fan of the $700+ cost dealer install with parts.
Is that what the dealer wanted to charge for install?? That's outrageous!
 

ausable

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Think something like this would work since we already have the 4 pin connectors? https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopkins/37185.html
It looks like it would save a little bit of wiring but does anyone know if it can be used with a brake controller?

Oh sure these work. I've wired a number of them on trucks that did not have the wiring from the factory. The look and quality, however, is sub par. If your truck doesn't come with factory tow package, E-trailer.com has a good video showing the slight differences in the two hitches (Hidden Hitch/Draw Tite IIRC, versus the Curt brand they also sell. It is such an easy install and pretty darn affordable. If you're not comfortable doing the install of the hitch or the wiring, trailer shops, U-Haul, etc will do it all for you. If your truck did not come with ANY brake controller wiring, as the OP's seems to be the rare case, then wires will have to be run from the front, cab area back to the 7 way female.

You can also get the Ford, factory plug for the through the fascia install for a clean, factory look. You will have to cut the hole, through the vinyl. Lots of posts elsewhere of folks doing just that. I makes for a factory look.

Wiring a brake controller is pretty easy, if you're skill level is adequate. If your truck has the four wires by the kick panel, it's as easy/hard as anyone who has the factory tow package, as none come with the controller installed. See my posts above in this thread. But again, a trailer shop, hitch shop, would do this for you.

Also, There are lots of posts elsewhere on the forum that help those who did not get the factory tow package install the factory wiring harness that installs in the very rear of the truck. Take out your rear harness and plug in the towing version, install the new plug through the fascia and done. Many ways, different way, to get the job done.
 

Tailgunner

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Also, There are lots of posts elsewhere on the forum that help those who did not get the factory tow package install the factory wiring harness that installs in the very rear of the truck.
Has anyone posted a guide? just looking under the truck I don't really see a simple path to run the wire which seems to be the hard part.
 

ausable

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Has anyone posted a guide? just looking under the truck I don't really see a simple path to run the wire which seems to be the hard part.
Our 2015 Tacoma (very similar) also did not come with anything but the "flat four" pigtail in back. We installed a hitch. Easy. Then the hard part, as you say, pulling the wire from front to back for the brake controller. I watched video after video on E-trailer about doing just that on many, many models. I bought 25' of heavy gauge, coated wire from E trailer, an assortment of butt connectors, ring terminals, and couple of circuit breakers and had at it. Basically, the master cylinder has lines that feed the rear brakes all the way from front to rear. The factory runs wire the entire length too, of course. Unfortunately, E trailer is going to have dozens of videos of doing what you need to do, but is not likely to ever have a specific 2019-20 Ranger how-to video because only a very small handful of Rangers lack the proper harness.
 

Gguillory

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When you add the 7 pin and 4 pin plug is it a whole new wiring kit?
 

ausable

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Even the the Rangers without the factory tow package HAVE the basics, including the 4 wires taped up above the driver's kick panel . All that is needed is a change out of the small, rear harness. Apparently, a small number of early rangers did come through without
When you add the 7 pin and 4 pin plug is it a whole new wiring kit?

I've seen several posts on this, both here and on FaceBook. The conversion harness is just a smaller harness for the rear of the truck. You also need the receptacle plug and must cut a hole through the vinyl of the rear bumper. These parts are available from Ford Parts.

Here's one of the threads: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/trailer-wiring-and-connector.2903/
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