99 Mountaineer trailer light harness

[IowaBob]

2 questions. 1) How do I tell if my 99 Mountaineer has a tow package? 2) Any suggestions on a trailer light harness that will work for a 99 mountaineer?

 

[Turdle]

1 look under the driver side tail light, tucked under the bumper you should find a round plug. You might get better access to it by removing the driver tail light housing


2- right here looks like the correct harness

Tow Package Wiring Harness with 4 Pole Trailer Connector Tekonsha Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring 118241

 

[IowaBob]

Thanks. I saw the round plug with a red dust cover in it. Someone told me that it doesn't work unless the vehicle has a tow package. I thought that sounded fishy. Why install at factory if it won't work? I'll give the one you listed a try.

 

[Turdle]

do you see a small auxiliary transmission cooler in front of the radiator?

This thread has a picture, and more information for you

Tow package question - 98 Mountaineer

 

[GLOCKer]

I don't know if my 98 Explorer has the tow package or not. But I added the trailer harness to that existing harness and it worked just fine.

 

[Mbrooks420]

All V8s have the tow package. If you have the red dust cover, you have the tow package. All it includes is the D4 axle, trailer prep wiring harness, and cooler.

 

[koda2000]

All V8s have the tow package. If you have the red dust cover, you have the tow package. All it includes is the D4 axle, trailer prep wiring harness, and cooler.

I might be wrong (and I'm not crawling under any vehicles in the rain) but I don't know if it's true that all the V8s came with the towing package, I think our '00 Mountaineer didn't. It did come with 3:73 LSD, but I think it may have one less leaf on the rear spring stack then my '01 Explorer V8. I know the Mountaineer has always had a much more compliant ride than my Expl. Like I said I could be wrong. As far as the trans cooler mounted by the radiator, every one of our Explorer's and Mountaineers (even the '97 Sport) has/had that. I seem to recall there were years that used a different type of oil cooler that I think ran coolant around the oil filter and I also believe some years didn't have the trans cooler. Most of my experience has been with 2000's and 2001's (except the '97 Sport) so I don't claim to be an expert on trans coolers.

On the subject of the trailer harness connector with the red cap behind the left tail light, every one of my trucks has/had that. I'm thinking it might be one of those wiring harness things that Ford used on all it's Explorers, because it was cheaper/easier for them to have only one harness (just like an unused connector found on the left side-back of the radio bezel that I think was for the 4WD switch. All my 2WD trucks have had that connector.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I certainly could be wrong, but I’ve never looked at one that didn’t have it. I read somewhere on here it was standard, but that’s not always right.

I was looking at mountaineers mostly, which are often a little better equipped.

 

[IowaBob]

Thanks to all who added info to this thread. What a great community!!! I found the correct connector on Amazon and I'll post the link at the end of this. As for being 100% about the tow package, I'm pretty sure it has it, but wouldn't bet my life on it. I always thought there would be a code within the VIN that would give it away. That was a self induced belief as far as I can tell. My Mounty has the little trans cooler radiator, the wiring harness seems to be standard on most Explorer's and Mountaineers.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GBLPHO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1