Installing The Bronco 4 & 7 Pin Factory Tow Package Wiring and Module

[@user-pk1fv4cb6n]

This is not getting the attention that it should. Thank you for posting your detailed install: the video angles, explanations, follow-through of the instructions...are all spot-on. Some of us want the 4/7 wiring and want it done correctly and this video should be the go-to for instruction.

[@whidbeyben]

Thanks for the great feedback. Happy Trails to you.

[@aeromechmike]

I've got a 22 Badlands Sas, where are the pigtails needed to be installed?

[@whidbeyben]

The very end of the wiring harness that plugs into the connectors in the driver side wheel well has pins that are incompatible with the pre 2023 model year connectors. It is a pretty simple matter to cut off the existing pins and use a butt splice connector to convert the wires. You can see the pigtails at 3:40. They provide some butt connectors, but I would recommend upgrading to butt connectors with adhesive lined heat shrink insulation to minimize the risk of corrosion developing in the wires over time.

[@whidbeyben]

3:24 you can see the connectors that need to be replaced with the colored wires under my index finger.

[@TheBrandonAF]

Thank you for taking the time to share this. I plan to install mine this weekend though its a 2024. I already have the pigtail since I paid for the tow package but assuming I still have to get inside the interior to plug the three cables in (module came with the hitch). Ford is shipping these late when you order, I opted to take my Bronco home vs wait for the tow package to show up and the dealership is 2.5 hours away. Anyone finding these comments it took a few weeks for the dealership to get the hitch in my instance.

[@cory-o-cookies95]

Absolute best video on this subject and so happy that I found it. I was about to bypass my desire for a full, true 7 pin setup and just use the curt 4pin harness, that taps into the rear taillights. I am fully confident that I can install this factory harness, thanks to your efforts sir. Well done and thank you!!

[@marshallness8874]

Nicely presented Sir. Just enough information to be able to remember how to get this installed and enough detail to avoid pitfalls. The link to the instruction PDF is appreciated. Thank you Sir.

[@samsilverman4654]

Great video! Saved me $600 from the dealer. Only headache is removing the wheel liner screws Ford uses

[@dmeman1]

Thank you!!! I followed your video and just completed the harness today. It took about an hour. Works perfectly!!

[@dustinstephens1915]

Thank you for this! Installing it tomorrow night

[@conniepenney5340]

Thanks!

[@whidbeyben]

😊😊😊

[@firelinemustangs]

Thank you for your help . Great detailed video.

[@brutemegahunk3895]

Video is well done

[@Tuckerboy417]

Excellent video.

[@thekorky27]

Fantastic video! 👍

[@whidbeyben]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@RichardYeargan-td4rn]

Curt has a plug and play wiring hiring harness that I added on my 22 bronco. I also added a brake controller. It was far simpler and cheaper. Also there is a factory plug for brake controllers in the floor board area to right of gas pedal.

[@whidbeyben]

The Curt plug and play kits are certainly less expensive and easy enough to install. They provide basic functionality for lighting but don't interface with the Bronco's vehicle stability software or other vehicle cameras and sensors (BLISS, parking cross traffic etc), so you may miss out on some safety and convenience features, but if you rarely tow, and only tow light trailers at low speeds, you may not notice not having all the Bronco safety and convenience features enabled.

[@spyderskipper]

Good Job!!

[@thehomerepairguy]

Great video. Thanks for the detail. Can you provide a copy of the installation instruction manual for the 7 pin wiring?

[@whidbeyben]

Thanks for asking. I've posted it on the Bronco6G forum in pdf for downloading. Use the link at the end of the video description. I'll repost it here as well. www.bronco6g.com/forum/attachments/fordbroncolumentrailertowkitinstall-pdf.606529/

[@cory-o-cookies95]

Also curious what the dealer charged to activate the tow programmable features. Was it costly for them to do that, or did they give you any issues doing it?

[@whidbeyben]

I haven't gotten it programmed since I live an hour from the nearest Ford dealership and I don't tow anything big enough, far enough to worry about the sway control programming. I have a 3/4 ton Silverado HD for that. Anyone with an FDRS terminal can do the simple programming. Shop around for the best estimate. Shouldn't take more than 5 minutes for someone who knows his/her way round FDRS, but most dealerships will charge a minimum 1hr labor rate. That's why I'm waiting for a recall notice so it can be tacked on to a warranty service and maybe get slipped in for free.

[@Ranwei1982]

I think this kit is only for 24 model year bronco with the pre-wired electrical harness. I overheard from other forum that for 21-23 model year, you also need the powering wiring harness.

[@whidbeyben]

I can't say for 2024 for certain, but the kit is for model years 2021-2023 but the pins on the end of the wiring harness have to be replaced with the included adapter pins for the 2021-22 model years' connector. If you have a 2023 or 2024, the wiring harness will not need any modification. The 2023 in the video did not require any other additional parts or wiring harnesses. It all plugs into the factory base wiring.

[@petermellinger8601]

I am curious as when you have completed the junction box connections where does the wiring harness exit the inside of the cab to run along the frame to the front? Thanks!

[@whidbeyben]

The electronic tow module installed inside the rear driver side panel is plugged into the vehicle wiring harness in place from the factory. The wiring harness part of the kit runs from the front driver side wheel well along the driver side frame to the rear of the Bronco to the hitch receiver entirely external to the cab. The instructions assume you have a vehicle lift, but I did the entire install with the vehicle on the ground. There is plenty of clearance to do so if you don't mind squatting and working on a creeper to get the wiring from the hitch receiver to the driver side front wheel well.

[@petermellinger8601]

I finally get it Ben! Thanks!

[@petermellinger8601]

One more question for you Ben...did you get the dealership to re-program the system for the new harness and how much did it cost you? Thanks!

[@whidbeyben]

Not yet. I'm waiting for the next Bronco Recall because our nearest Ford dealership is over 30 miles away. I'm guessing it will be the minimum labor charge because enabling the towbar function in FDRS should take a technician who knows how to use FDRS about 5 minutes to complete, but dealerships frequently find ways to gouge customers.@@petermellinger8601

[@petermellinger8601]

Wow, what recalls have you received may I ask? I have yet to take delivery on my 2024 Bronco Heritage although it is on it's way to the dealership and I should have it soon. Perhaps they have handled the recalled items before my build. I have been waiting 4 years! Ha! I called around today and got some quotes for the 'Flash' at various dealerships near me (I'm in Monroe, WA)) the least expensive quote I got was from Enumclaw and Eric there said it would be a 1/2 - 1 hour job. The most was from Pierre Lake City Ford and they said a whopping $337.50!

[@AMOffRoad]

Hi, I like your content. Do you accept sponsored products?

[@whidbeyben]

Yes I do! To date, none of my posts have featured any sponsored products, but there's always a first time.

[@AMOffRoad]

​@@whidbeyben Great! Do you have an email address? We can further our conversation there.

[@AMOffRoad]

@@whidbeyben Great!

[@AMOffRoad]

Do you have an email address or Instagram? We can further our conversation there.

[@AMOffRoad]

Do you have an email address?

[@Argtime938]

Did you have to have the dealer update the system? I went to hookup for the first time since install and was not getting any power to the 7-pin, blinkers were working though. RV place said it might need a flash.

[@whidbeyben]

Even without the FDRS reprograming, power will be sent to the 12V output on the 7 pin, but only if the Bronco detects a trailer attached during the start up process. So after connecting the trailer, shut down and then restart the Bronco to activate the charging circuit on the 7 pin output. If you use a VOM to test the pin, it will not show +12V without the trailer plugged in, nor will it show +12V if the Bronco was on and running when the trailer was plugged in. It took me a while to figure this out. It's not in the Bronco manual anywhere.

[@forrestmiller9814]

I just picked up the Draw tite 2 inch extended Hitch. Do you believe that will fit with the mounting bracket?

[@whidbeyben]

It should fit the Bronco, but as for the 4/7 socket mount, there are two brackets in the Lumen kit designed for variations of the CURT receiver. Hopefully one will fit the Draw Tite extended hitch. If not, you may have to modify one of the brackets or drill some new holes. Watch your shins on that extended receiver. I was tempted by the higher weight rating on the Draw Tite but the actual weight rating is determined by the rear crossmember on the Bronco frame so the higher rating is meaningless. I'm constantly opening the rear tailgate because my 2dr has such poor access to the rear of the vehicle for even little things. I got an extension to make it easier to couple trailers behind and under the spare tire, but only put it on when actually towing to save my shins.

[@forrestmiller9814]

@@whidbeyben Yes, I understand. Hopefully it is not a big issue. If it is I will change it out. I wanted to run a motorcycle ramp off the tongue, and the draw tite rating is better for that. Well shall see. It's my wife's car so if she complains too much I will be forced to switch it out. Thanks for the response.

[@whidbeyben]

Irregardless of the Drawtite's rating, it is the Bronco's rear frame member that limits the towing capacity. Too long of a lever arm could cause the frame member to bend and fail.

[@2031dj]

do you know if Forsacann will activate the module?

[@whidbeyben5675]

I don’t know if software other than FDRS can do this. It may depend on your comfort level with coding. These cars are so complex that transposing a digit could really mess up some entirely unrelated vehicle function. The good news is that for most users, the programming is probably unnecessary unless pulling a heavy trailer.

[@GH0ST369]

Are the adaptors for an alternative control box?

[@whidbeyben]

I'm not sure what you're referring to. An electric brake controller is a separate accessory that can plug into the wiring harness near the gas pedal. That is not part of this factory tow package wiring and module. This just allows you to connect a 4 or 7 pin trailer so that lighting and brake signals can be passed to the trailer from the Bronco.