4 to 7 way trailer plug conversion, any hidden plugs?

[blue83ranger]

I have an '04 Sport trac that didn't come with a tow package but does have the 4 flat trailer plug. The trailer I have has the 7 way plug and I'm going to add one and a receiver hitch and was wondering if there's any stock wiring hidden on my ST that would make the conversion easier? or do I have to run the extra 3 wires my self? I've read on here that a same year "plain" explorer would have a plug by one of the tail lights and a plug by the glove box for a brake controller but I didn't see any plug by either of my tail lights. thanks for any help.

 

[swshawaii]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373320&highlight=trailer+plug+4+7
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343161&highlight=trailer+plug+4+7
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=295005&highlight=trailer+plug+4+7
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273622&highlight=trailer+plug+4+7

 

[01STrunner]

I didn't find any wires when I converted mine. For the reverse lights, I tapped into the drivers side revers lamp. For the constant 12V I tapped into the 12V outlet in the bed since it really isn't used while I'm towing.

I didn't hook up the trailer brakes though because I have only towed an empty car trailer and everything else that I tow is a boat with the flat 5 (not 4) pin with surge brakes. However, there is a switch/wire right at the linkage to the brake pedal in the footwell.

 

[blue83ranger]

thanks for the tips. I was hoping for a hidden plug though but it's not hard to run a few wires. Any suggestions on a plug? I would like one with a 4 and 7 and I've seen a few different ones, I guess any of them should be pretty good.

 

[01STrunner]

I've always had great experience with Reese products

 

[blue83ranger]

Just yesterday I bought both front and rear receivers that are Reese. I'll see what kind of price I can find for their plug too.

 

[05dakotatrac]

Any way you hack it you will need to mount an aftermarket 7pin I did on mine and 4 wires are there to just tap. The reverse wire is at either taillight and for 12volt and brake you run two wires into the cab.

 

[blue83ranger]

That's what I figured. I just saw a few other aftermarket and ford plugs for different ford trucks that just plug into the trucks stock harness with no running of any extra wires and was hoping there was one available for ST.

 

[05dakotatrac]

Second gen tracs have a plug and play harness for a electric brake controller us first gens have to hard wire all of it

 

[429CJ-3X2]

That's what I figured. I just saw a few other aftermarket and ford plugs for different ford trucks that just plug into the trucks stock harness with no running of any extra wires and was hoping there was one available for ST.

I've used those plugs on my '78 F100, '89 Bronco II, and '94 Explorer, and on all 3 everything worked great - until I hit the brakes with the headlights on. Then the taillights/brake lights would go out and just the turn signal would work. This is not something that one typically discovers when checking a new installation. Brake lights and turn signals worked fine together with the headlights off. I read on one of the forums several years ago that it's a grounding problem and a ground wire needs to be added somewhere. Of course when I wanted to fix the problem, I couldn't find the thread again.

 

[blue83ranger]

I'll remember to check that when I get mine wired up.