2019 Ranger XLT Trailer brake controller and foldable mirror questions

[The_Kings_apostle]

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I need help and I've spent a very long time looking for the answers and the dealership has no idea and says they can't help me.

(Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

For backstory, I had a 2021 F-150 with all of the available features and it got totaled 3 months after I got it and my Ranger was the cheapest truck that I could find in my area. I bought it used. I can't afford a bigger truck so please don't waste our time saying "just get a bigger truck". The number of times I've read that online is innumerable! If I could afford it, I would!

1: I'm trying my hardest to get the "OEM" Redarc Trailer Brake controller with the third brake light wiring harness. The dealership says that they're "obsolete", whatever that is supposed to mean, and that they can't get it no matter what. Does anyone know where I can get it? Also, is there anywhere else that I can put it that's not where Ford said to put it?

Or is there an alternative to it that I can get that will work with the automatic emergency braking? I've been checking out the Curt Spectrum but I'd prefer the Redarc.

2: Can I add the power folding mirrors/the floodlight mirrors? If so, what is needed to do that?

If something has been talked about before, and you can give me the link to it, you don't have to explain it to me, if you don't want to. You can just reply with the link.

I appreciate any information on the subject.

Thank you guys for helping!

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[airline tech]

The Ford TBC was discontinued about 6 months ago, IDK why, but it was.
You may get lucky and still find one from an online seller, but doubtful, there are quite a few options out there but I have not dug into researching the ones that incorporate into the AEB (Alternatives)
There are quite a few members that (Tow - Heavy) on a regular basis that may be able to help for that.

As far as adding - The Power Folding Mirrors, note this is not Auto Fold, you must press the button

This thread ties in adding (Heated & Power Folding) mirrors

(1) How to add Lariat heated mirrors to an XLT | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

 

[JoeF]

I am having this TBC installed tomorrow. This is being done by a company that sells and services commercial trailers but has done a lot of these installs on Rangers. I asked about tying into the EBS, and they say they know about that, but we will see.

After that, I will probably go with these mirrors or maybe these. These are just designed to be telescoping mirrors that match the factory capabilities otherwise; no floodlight. Do not know what to say about a floodlight.

 

[Josh Stretch]

How bad do you want the brake controller to work with the emergency braking system? Because that's the only difference between the Ford Redarc brake controller (discontinued) and the regular Redarc brake controller (still available). Both have wires going to the third brake light. Here is a Genuine Ford Redarc brake controller on eBay, but is a Canadian seller and it's spendy. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2357011197...vu2bx3Gkd5gD+4ZpO66U/9Kmc=|tkp:Bk9SR4rTrc_hZQ
And here is one from a google search.https://www.fordoempartsoutlet.com/parts/ford-oem-new-ford-module-trailer-brake-vkb3z-2c006-a-vkb3z2c006a?origin=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20912568620&gbraid=0AAAAAqpN50cHHyGSJ4sMqnmN-DId5D_wE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwotDBBhCQARIsAG5pinMajmhOhrndl-DJRf3QGtxhof9QZGl3jC8UA_Dxt0G9VeRD_H7E0hEaAtDqEALw_wcB

 

[Josh Stretch]

And here is one from a google search.
https://www.fordoempartsoutlet.com/...hof9QZGl3jC8UA_Dxt0G9VeRD_H7E0hEaAtDqEALw_wcB

 

[airline tech]

And here is one from a google search.
https://www.fordoempartsoutlet.com/...hof9QZGl3jC8UA_Dxt0G9VeRD_H7E0hEaAtDqEALw_wcB

The problem with the Ford sites - its a gamble if they actually have it in stock. When the information first broke that this was a discontinued item, some members reported that they were getting emails about order was cancelled - Out of Stock.
I am quite sure the system has not been fully depleted (yet) so just be aware that this may be the outcome after you place the order.

 

[Frenchy]

As already mentioned above the only difference between the Ford version and non Ford version of the RedArc Trailer Brake Controller is whether or not it works during automatic braking. Is it needed? No, but then again we have been towing trailers for how long without a lot of the technology for how long now? Personally I would just go to RedArc and get one of their Trailer Brake Controllers.

As for the mirror floodlights and folding mirrors. If you have a XLT then you should be set. If it's the XL then IDK if the harness is the same or different. If it's different adding power mirrors is a challenge. Also the Ranger did not have a Floodlight built into the mirror.

 

[The_Kings_apostle]

How bad do you want the brake controller to work with the emergency braking system? Because that's the only difference between the Ford Redarc brake controller (discontinued) and the regular Redarc brake controller (still available). Both have wires going to the third brake light. Here is a Genuine Ford Redarc brake controller on eBay, but is a Canadian seller and it's spendy. https://www.ebay.com/itm/235701119735?_skw=2019+for+ranger+trailer+brake+controller&itmmeta=01JW6FBD5SE163DH4XA0Z9X61A&hash=item36e0e1aaf7:g:lrMAAOSwTcxnQNzT&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dzSvs8ApB4Z5Eg+Ktkqq798AfVCFdQzwuE3Zftgp0KrYnkUPoH6jQ7rQprjhgSI8H494BEhcRg/EBFlojmA031xOoRkfM9JDVOsXGxjTFNytSLttj860ft6kO8tBH02c8ni6qHPjf60+iBZIHIwNrTcBHgubPlJNwcglEesMxODi6NfvwAjVm7ujJxgbQ7X3ck9ziGsNzo6UAW5lKFyKaIUKwHlYNNSYtKh2oVvwmh0JaVsqUM1Z9TL/pKRHmEDD8qnah6qltX+KSyTCrUyCCmrXULCwd5Jh1nh3z7lKvu2bx3Gkd5gD+4ZpO66U/9Kmc=|tkp:Bk9SR4rTrc_hZQ
And here is one from a google search.https://www.fordoempartsoutlet.com/parts/ford-oem-new-ford-module-trailer-brake-vkb3z-2c006-a-vkb3z2c006a?origin=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20912568620&gbraid=0AAAAAqpN50cHHyGSJ4sMqnmN-DId5D_wE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwotDBBhCQARIsAG5pinMajmhOhrndl-DJRf3QGtxhof9QZGl3jC8UA_Dxt0G9VeRD_H7E0hEaAtDqEALw_wcB

I'd very much prefer that it also work with the emergency braking, which is why I'm trying my hardest to find the "OEM" TBC.

I took apart my whole dash yesterday looking for a better looking place to put it and it doesn't look like there is another place to put it. I might try to put it next to the shifter, but I haven't gotten around to taking apart the console to see if I can.

I really appreciate your help!

 

[The_Kings_apostle]

I am having this TBC installed tomorrow. This is being done by a company that sells and services commercial trailers but has done a lot of these installs on Rangers. I asked about tying into the EBS, and they say they know about that, but we will see.

After that, I will probably go with these mirrors or maybe these. These are just designed to be telescoping mirrors that match the factory capabilities otherwise; no floodlight. Do not know what to say about a floodlight.

I'm thinking about either getting the Clearview and San Hima mirrors but I want to get the button activated folding ones, possibly with the puddle lights. I thought that if I had the ability to easily add on the OEM option of the folding mirrors, I would also be able to easily add on those, as well. That's what I'm trying to find out; Does it need to be programmed? Do I need a different wiring harness? Or can I just buy the switch and mirrors and plug and play?

 

[The_Kings_apostle]

And here is one from a google search.
https://www.fordoempartsoutlet.com/...hof9QZGl3jC8UA_Dxt0G9VeRD_H7E0hEaAtDqEALw_wcB

Idk who you are but I love you!!!! Thank you so much for helping! I couldn't find this anywhere! I have been looking for this for weeks! I wanted the one with the wiring harness to the third brake light and you found it! Thank you so much! And the one from Ford was $350 USD and that's so much cheaper! Thank you!

 

[Josh Stretch]

I got a light force switch fascia and put the trailer brake controller in that with a couple of other switches.

 

[The_Kings_apostle]

I got a light force switch fascia and put the trailer brake controller in that with a couple of other switches.

What do your other switches go to?

 

[Josh Stretch]

The switch on the right is an up, auto, down switch for my amp research power steps. The dual switch in the middle is for future ditch lights (top) and future driving lights / winch interchangeable on a front receiver hitch with an Anderson connector (bottom).

 

[The_Kings_apostle]

The switch on the right is an up, auto, down switch for my amp research power steps. The dual switch in the middle is for future ditch lights (top) and future driving lights / winch interchangeable on a front receiver hitch with an Anderson connector (bottom).

I took apart that section of the dash and it didn't seem like there was enough room to put the TBC there.

 

[Josh Stretch]

The switch fascia creates the space. I had no problem running everything.

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