Finally completed Redarc Tow Pro Liberty brake controller

[Icemanhd]

On my 23 XL. I've been procrastinating this ever since I bought my 7x18 enclosed car hauler but fortunately it went to my buddy's place to get self tapping sheet metal screws switched to steel rivets, fix a small leak, and install D ring tie downs, a winch, and get new tires put on.

I mounted the controller on the stamped sheet metal plate behind the bottom fold down cover and used the posi-tap connectors to hook up the 4 wires. Call me crazy but I mounted the manual override in the blank switch plate to the left of the console kind of behind the left turn signal stalk. Its a proportional controller (and is the same one used in the much more expensive Ford factory brake controller kit). My enclosed trailer is 2000 lbs and the my drag ghia is about 1400 lbs so I'm only using 45% of the 7500 lb tow capacity. Having an automatic proportional controller I don't intend to be using the manual override ever but who knows, that may change.

EVERYTHING takes me longer than I think it will, I left the shrink tubing on the 4 wires I dug out of the factory harness that were wrapped in blue to use the posi tap connectors which made it a little harder to get the connectors installed (since I had less wire to work with). Mounting the brake controller on the 2 existing holes required minor mods to open the holes up on the brake controller and the same on one of the holes on the sheet metal panel. Lastly the blank switch panel to the left of the instrument console I thought would pop/pry out so after some minor damage figured this wasn't happening. Thanks to @airline tech the small upper panel pops out with 3 friction fit fasteners and you can access the backside easily. The panel, which is used on higher models than my XL for side view mirror adjustment had the factory connector plugged into it which meant the whole connector receptacle had to be cut/ground off to make room for the brake controller adjustment/override and led.

This is a job you CAN DO yourself. The Tow-Pro liberty brake controller and universal pig tail harness were $147 shipped from Amazon. You don't need the Elite model if you have a 1 or 2 axle trailer, the Elite adds in an option for 3 axles and 28V power source mostly for off road applications.

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[Cmar]

They're good units, if somewhat pricey, I use the Tow Pro Elite myself for a dual axle caravan weighing in at ~ 2400 Kg. I put the controller in the centre console in a fitting I 3d printed, and the box behind the drivers side kick panel.

 

[Davidjc]

They're good units, if somewhat pricey, I use the Tow Pro Elite myself for a dual axle caravan weighing in at ~ 2400 Kg. I put the controller in the centre console in a fitting I 3d printed, and the box behind the drivers side kick panel.

Nice. The hardest part to me was getting the 4 wire pigtail out of the dash. Here's my controller.

 

[Cmar]

Nice. The hardest part to me was getting the 4 wire pigtail out of the dash. Here's my controller.

That's a good spot for it, in fact that's where Redarc recommends it for Rangers. I didn't do that because some kind previous owner had previously had a brake controller in the car and then not so kindly removed it before trading it! So I had most of the wiring in but non standard colours and install, nothing labelled, so once I figured out which wire went where, I just put it where the existing wires would easily reach.

 

[Frenchy]

The blank you used would be a switch for the Power Mirrors on the XLT and Lariat. That said to my understanding that particular brake controller is top notch! I have thought about it for my old Pathfinder, but I don't see myself towing that much with it that much.

 

[Jedadiah]

Without power mirrors, I think that's a pretty cool spot. I removed the left 12v port for mine on my XLT. I've been happy with the Liberty. Unless you know you'll need more manual controls off-road, it does all you'll need it too.

 

[Frenchy]

Without power mirrors, I think that's a pretty cool spot. I removed the left 12v port for mine on my XLT. I've been happy with the Liberty. Unless you know you'll need more manual controls off-road, it does all you'll need it too.

The Liberty is not recommend for OffRoad use. The Tow Pro Elite is what it recommend for OffRoad use as it is able to shut off the Trailer Brakes during OffRoad Travel

 

[subquark]

On my 23 XL. I've been procrastinating this ever since I bought my 7x18 enclosed car hauler but fortunately it went to my buddy's place to get self tapping sheet metal screws switched to steel rivets, fix a small leak, and install D ring tie downs, a winch, and get new tires put on.

I mounted the controller on the stamped sheet metal plate behind the bottom fold down cover and used the posi-tap connectors to hook up the 4 wires. Call me crazy but I mounted the manual override in the blank switch plate to the left of the console kind of behind the left turn signal stalk. Its a proportional controller (and is the same one used in the much more expensive Ford factory brake controller kit). My enclosed trailer is 2000 lbs and the my drag ghia is about 1400 lbs so I'm only using 45% of the 7500 lb tow capacity. Having an automatic proportional controller I don't intend to be using the manual override ever but who knows, that may change.

EVERYTHING takes me longer than I think it will, I left the shrink tubing on the 4 wires I dug out of the factory harness that were wrapped in blue to use the posi tap connectors which made it a little harder to get the connectors installed (since I had less wire to work with). Mounting the brake controller on the 2 existing holes required minor mods to open the holes up on the brake controller and the same on one of the holes on the sheet metal panel. Lastly the blank switch panel to the left of the instrument console I thought would pop/pry out so after some minor damage figured this wasn't happening. Thanks to @airline tech the small upper panel pops out with 3 friction fit fasteners and you can access the backside easily. The panel, which is used on higher models than my XL for side view mirror adjustment had the factory connector plugged into it which meant the whole connector receptacle had to be cut/ground off to make room for the brake controller adjustment/override and led.

This is a job you CAN DO yourself. The Tow-Pro liberty brake controller and universal pig tail harness were $147 shipped from Amazon. You don't need the Elite model if you have a 1 or 2 axle trailer, the Elite adds in an option for 3 axles and 28V power source mostly for off road applications.

I know this is late, somehow I missed your post.

Thanks for the pics, I was wondering about that location as I also have an XL.

It looks really great there. I was thinking of mounting mine where the passenger could access it, but am worried about the dog stepping on it if next to the gear shift.

Just when I thought I knew where I was mounting it, I run across your post!

LOL, if that's my biggest isdue, life is good!

Thanks again. =)

 

[Icemanhd]

@subquark I haven't found the need to press the button and manually override the brake controller other than to confirm the brakes are working. I think in an emergency situation you should focus on paying attention to your driving as opposed to taking your eyes off the road momentarily to press the button (if its next to the shifter), the electronics will react faster than you will.

 

[craw169]

Nice. The hardest part to me was getting the 4 wire pigtail out of the dash. Here's my controller.

i like this spot but i installed mine under the steering wheel where u pull the fuse panel cover off. reason being we were recently on a long trip and we would drop our phones into the storage in front of the drive mode selector shown...once or twice our phones hit a button by accident (one time we turned on the differential lock by accident). so i was worried to put the brake controller there since i could see it getting bumped easily.

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