Az19
Member
- First Name
- Winston
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2021
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 8
- Location
- California
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 (Lariat)
- Thread starter
- #1
Long time listener first time caller here.
I purchased a 2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 Lariat In February of last year. In an idiot move I didn’t realize it didn’t have the factory tow package until the finance stage. I could have backed out but decided I would just deal with it down the line.
I’ve read all the posts here regarding retrofitting the factory installed tow package (great info thanks). It seems as time has passed from the initial introduction of the new Ranger much clarity has been shed on how and what is needed to accomplish the retrofit.
I will be buying a travel trailer shortly and as such decided to go to my local Ford Dealer here in Temecula, CA to feel them out about getting the work down.
Talking to the service department and after market sales it was as if I was asking about them to install a functioning dishwasher to the back of my truck.
First in the service department I was told they don’t install hitches and was told to go to a muffler shop ( Ranch Muffler & Truck Accessories Inc). Then when I inquired in the parts department they said if I’m having factory parts installed of course they could do the installation and sent me to speak to another person in the service department.
This individual once informed of what I wanted stated that my truck could not be retrofitted based on my vin #. I informed him the only difference between my truck and another sitting on the lot is my truck doesn’t have the tow package. Nothing else different about the trucks. He was adamant that it couldn’t be done.
The reasons this service department employee gave were that adding the tow package would screw my suspension up, my suspension isn’t made for the tow package, that my truck based on the vin # could only tow 2500 pounds and only use a class 1 hitch not a class 3. I informed him that my Ranger was capable of towing 7500 pounds and I already had a list of the parts I needed and wanted installed. He looked at me with pity so I decided to cut my loses and left. As I turned the corner inside the dealership I could hear the employees conferring about how preposterous what I was asking was.
Next I drove 15 miles to Lake Elsinore Ford.
Spoke with an individual in the service department. He straight out told me that his and many other Ford dealerships don’t retrofit the Rangers with the tow packages anymore because they had to many complaints and problems and didn’t want the liability as well as something about how they wouldn’t want to change the class 1 hitch to a class 3 hitch. Well at least this guy didn’t look at me as if I was insane and speaking in tongues. I asked him if adding the towing package would void my extended warranty and he said not at all and recommended the same muffler shop for the installation.
Next I went to the muffler shop recommended. I was impressed with their setup. The muffler guy said no problem he could install 3rd party parts or if I ordered the parts I wanted he would install them. He said he had done it many times (not sure about oem). He said the only thing he couldn’t install was the oem brake controller. He could install a 3rd party brake controller all day long but if I wanted the oem Ford one I would have to have the dealership do that.
So back to the first dealership. Talked to someone else in the service department who confirmed they could install the brake controller.
So what about all that prattle the first dealership guy went on about. He was misinformed, right? The Rangers with the tow package don’t have special springs or shocks or suspension or frames made specifically for the tow package ?
Am I correct in my believe that what separates a Ranger with and without the tow packages are the following and ONLY the following
1. Part # KB3Z-15K868-D Wire Harness
2. Part # FU5Z-14489-A Trailer Tow Harness Connector
3. Part # KB3Z-19D520-A TRAILER HITCH - FOR 2 INCH RECEIVER
Also for those that might be curious about the trailer I’m going to pair with the Ranger it is going to be between these two:
Surveyor Legend 19BHLE (Forest River)
Hitch Weight 405 lb.
UVW 3814 lb.
Exterior Length 23’ 4”
Apex Nano 294BHS
Hitch Weight 428 lb.
UVW 3634 lb.
Exterior Length 22’ 8”
Also the dealership quoted me around $600 for the installation of the brake controller (Part No VKB3Z-2C006-A TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL - TOWING PACK 2)
And the muffler shop quoted me around $300 for the tow package.
So guys have any feedback or suggestions before I order the parts? Am I wrong or mistaken or have I overlooked anything regarding the parts I need.
Those first dealership people have got me worried that I’m screwing up my truck if I retrofit it with the stock tow package. I wish I hadn’t been such a dumbass and gotten a Ranger without the factory installed tow package.
I purchased a 2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 Lariat In February of last year. In an idiot move I didn’t realize it didn’t have the factory tow package until the finance stage. I could have backed out but decided I would just deal with it down the line.
I’ve read all the posts here regarding retrofitting the factory installed tow package (great info thanks). It seems as time has passed from the initial introduction of the new Ranger much clarity has been shed on how and what is needed to accomplish the retrofit.
I will be buying a travel trailer shortly and as such decided to go to my local Ford Dealer here in Temecula, CA to feel them out about getting the work down.
Talking to the service department and after market sales it was as if I was asking about them to install a functioning dishwasher to the back of my truck.
First in the service department I was told they don’t install hitches and was told to go to a muffler shop ( Ranch Muffler & Truck Accessories Inc). Then when I inquired in the parts department they said if I’m having factory parts installed of course they could do the installation and sent me to speak to another person in the service department.
This individual once informed of what I wanted stated that my truck could not be retrofitted based on my vin #. I informed him the only difference between my truck and another sitting on the lot is my truck doesn’t have the tow package. Nothing else different about the trucks. He was adamant that it couldn’t be done.
The reasons this service department employee gave were that adding the tow package would screw my suspension up, my suspension isn’t made for the tow package, that my truck based on the vin # could only tow 2500 pounds and only use a class 1 hitch not a class 3. I informed him that my Ranger was capable of towing 7500 pounds and I already had a list of the parts I needed and wanted installed. He looked at me with pity so I decided to cut my loses and left. As I turned the corner inside the dealership I could hear the employees conferring about how preposterous what I was asking was.
Next I drove 15 miles to Lake Elsinore Ford.
Spoke with an individual in the service department. He straight out told me that his and many other Ford dealerships don’t retrofit the Rangers with the tow packages anymore because they had to many complaints and problems and didn’t want the liability as well as something about how they wouldn’t want to change the class 1 hitch to a class 3 hitch. Well at least this guy didn’t look at me as if I was insane and speaking in tongues. I asked him if adding the towing package would void my extended warranty and he said not at all and recommended the same muffler shop for the installation.
Next I went to the muffler shop recommended. I was impressed with their setup. The muffler guy said no problem he could install 3rd party parts or if I ordered the parts I wanted he would install them. He said he had done it many times (not sure about oem). He said the only thing he couldn’t install was the oem brake controller. He could install a 3rd party brake controller all day long but if I wanted the oem Ford one I would have to have the dealership do that.
So back to the first dealership. Talked to someone else in the service department who confirmed they could install the brake controller.
So what about all that prattle the first dealership guy went on about. He was misinformed, right? The Rangers with the tow package don’t have special springs or shocks or suspension or frames made specifically for the tow package ?
Am I correct in my believe that what separates a Ranger with and without the tow packages are the following and ONLY the following
1. Part # KB3Z-15K868-D Wire Harness
2. Part # FU5Z-14489-A Trailer Tow Harness Connector
3. Part # KB3Z-19D520-A TRAILER HITCH - FOR 2 INCH RECEIVER
Also for those that might be curious about the trailer I’m going to pair with the Ranger it is going to be between these two:
Surveyor Legend 19BHLE (Forest River)
Hitch Weight 405 lb.
UVW 3814 lb.
Exterior Length 23’ 4”
Apex Nano 294BHS
Hitch Weight 428 lb.
UVW 3634 lb.
Exterior Length 22’ 8”
Also the dealership quoted me around $600 for the installation of the brake controller (Part No VKB3Z-2C006-A TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL - TOWING PACK 2)
And the muffler shop quoted me around $300 for the tow package.
So guys have any feedback or suggestions before I order the parts? Am I wrong or mistaken or have I overlooked anything regarding the parts I need.
Those first dealership people have got me worried that I’m screwing up my truck if I retrofit it with the stock tow package. I wish I hadn’t been such a dumbass and gotten a Ranger without the factory installed tow package.
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