94 LMTD, Where can I find the Trailer/Towing electric Hookups?

[protomind]

I have a 94 explorer limited fully loaded, or so I thought. IT IS supposed to have a towing package on it, there is a bumper with a hole in it, holes for the hooks, trans radiator, the onlything I can not find is the electrical hookups to plus into the trailer so I can get brakes. I have heard that they may be hidden up underneather near the drivers taillight but I can not find anything at all.
I need to figure out where the hookup is, any ideas?
Is there a way I can tell from the VIN or otherwise for certain whether I have the towing package?
How can I tell what rear end I have?
If I do not in fact have the towing package, then is there a plug in kit that I can buy to make my trailer get electric turn signals and brakes? Ifso what is the part and possibly the part number?

I bought the trailer last night and really need to pick it up today so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[gsmaclean]

I was wondering the same thing - I have the same truck, with the transmission cooler, a bumper-mounted ball AND a frame-mounted receiver. I see no evidence of electrical wiring for the trailer however - although I haven't looked all that hard.

 

[91exploreron37]

I'm not sure if you can tell from the VIN but I think all explorers with the auto tranny has a transmission cooler behind the grill and I'm pretty sure they all came with a hole in the bumper.
An auto parts place like autozone should sell the trailer wiring harness and if not U-haul for a fact sells them.

 

[protomind]

It was my understanding that all eddie bauer and limited explorers came standard with towing package. Is this not true?


ALSO MY Explorer says total GV weight is 52XX, does that mean the total towing and cargo capacity?

 

[MrShorty]

On my '92, there's an 8 pin round connector in the driver's frame rail close to the bumper. Your trailer adaptor would plug into that connector. The trailer lights are powered by relays in the driver's side rear panel, next to the 4x4 shift module and rear washer reservoir. Years ago I posted a generic wiring diagram to understand how the trailer lights work in the Explorer.

You can identify your rear axle using the tag attached to one of the rear diff cover bolts.

 

[91exploreron37]

It was my understanding that all eddie bauer and limited explorers came standard with towing package. Is this not true?


ALSO MY Explorer says total GV weight is 52XX, does that mean the total towing and cargo capacity?

Well not towing capacity but cargo capacity inside the vehicle
http://www.rvda-alberta.org/rvtips/gvwr.htm

 

[91exploreron37]

On my '92, there's an 8 pin round connector in the driver's frame rail close to the bumper. Your trailer adaptor would plug into that connector. The trailer lights are powered by relays in the driver's side rear panel, next to the 4x4 shift module and rear washer reservoir. Years ago I posted a generic wiring diagram to understand how the trailer lights work in the Explorer.

You can identify your rear axle using the tag attached to one of the rear diff cover bolts.

Hmmm.. I saw that plug on my ex, so thats what its for haha.
Mines an Eddie Bauer so I guess EBs and LMTDs did come with a tow package.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I think this is what will plug into your harness if you have the round connector underneath. Mine is a '95, but it should be similar...

 

[protomind]

Can anyone tell me if any of this looks like part of the towing package?

The first pic is from where my jack is located in the cargo area, should be obvious to most.
The second and thierd are of a cable that comes down the drivers side frame just behind the spare tire(behind the tire standing at the back of the truck that is) it suspiciouly comes toward the back of the truck and for no apparent reason goes straight back to the front of the truck.
Any ideas?

BTW I have circled the connectors in question.

 

[91exploreron37]

It isnt inside the vehicle and The wire that goes back towards the front isnt it either, your looking too far foward, Look right underneath the rear bumper on the the driverside frame rail before the spring shackle. Take some pics of that area.

 

[04sd]

My brother bought an '92 Ex new with the towing package. Not sure what all was included but it had the 3.73 gears and a receiver hitch on it. It did not have an electric brake controller. If you bought a trailer with electric brakes you'll need to by a controller and wire it in. It wasn't until 2005 I think that Ford started offering a factory installed controller on it's trucks.

 

[91exploreron37]

Yea see I thought the towing package included an actual receiver hitch as most trucks and suvs come with a basic hole in the bumper for a ball.

Protomind are you talking about an electric brake controller or just the trailer lights?

 

[protomind]

Well I dont need the brake controller, as the trailer I will be towing has none. But i am starting to think DOES NOT have the towing package at all, that is all right though since I should just be able to install hopkins part # 40305 and that will let me pass on the brake lights and reverse lights as well as turn signals to the trailer.

Now to upgrade the trans with a extra tranny cooler and temp gauge.

 

[MrShorty]

For future reference, the connector you have pictured above the axle is the one for the fuel pump/fuel level sender.

 

[91exploreron37]

I was looking through my jack compartment and found a trailer wiring harness connector that I didn't even know I had So i'm positive I have the towing package. It was in front of the washer fluid resevoir.
Also here's a crappy pic of the frame connector.