I have a 2015 3.5 Eco that came with what I call the "basic tow package" it has the flat 4 connector and that is it. I have installed a receiver hitch and want to add a brake controller. and would prefer to go with OEM controller

I have searched the forum and found a lot of info about adding the OEM controller if you have the tow package that comes with the 7 pin round plug and how you can just plug it in and have the controller flashed. So I pulled my dash apart and the wires are there plugged into the back of the "coin" holder that is in place of the OEM controller. So I have not looked yet but i am assuming that the wires are also ran to the back just with out the 7 pin round plug???

So does anyone know if i got the 7 pin round plug and the wiring and the OEM controller would it work?? if the wires are there i don't see why it wouldn't?

hate to spend the money on the parts and it not work.

Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

 

I did this exact project last weekend. Good guy Ford indeed ran the wiring from front to back at the factory so you can do this plug and play - no soldering. You'll need the controller, the replacement harness for your back end, the 7 pin socket, and the bracket to mount that socket. Your dealer will need to enable the brake controller. I paid my dealer to install the controller itself and they waived the programming fee, which essentially worked out to be free install. I then spent an hour under the back of my truck to swap out the harness and mount the socket. Be sure to verify that your dealer is ordering the correct bracket - I had to dremel, grind, and powder coat my bracket to make it fit. Make sure you install the bracket before swapping wiring harnesses. This will dictate how you lay out the plugs.

Once the front end work is done, it's time to replace your factory wiring harness at the rear. Drop your spare tire and push it as far forward as you can. This will give you much better space to do the wiring. If you buy the Ford harness it will be plug and play. The master plug is located on top of the driver side frame runner. Starting with that plug, replace the factory 4-pin harness with the new harness at each connection. Be sure to swap out the rivets as well. The trickiest part will be the connectors for your license plate lights. As a tip, you can twist the plugs to pop the entire bulb assemblies out for easier access to the pinch connectors. Don't make yourself suffer by trying to pop off the connectors while the bulb assemblies are still in their sockets.

The Ford controller works beautifully and the install was not a big deal. I'd recommend doing the back end yourself.

 

that was a great post. Glad to read some helpful chatter. 👍👍

 

That is great and just what i was hoping to hear!!

Any chance you have the OEM part number for the replacement harness? Or the 7 pin plug? Did you get these from your dealer or online?

thanks again!!

 

I bought all parts through my dealer. I'll see if I still have boxes with part numbers on them. If you provide a VIN to your dealer they shouldn't have any difficulty looking these up. It's all factory parts available to dealers. I think the harness was $30-$40, the socket was less than that, and the Ford controller was around $90.

 

Thanks again for the response! If you have any of those part numbers it would be great.

 

Wire harness is FL3Z13A576B. Price $36.64. Couldn't find any of the other boxes.

 

Thanks! Picked up the controller yesterday and they had to order the harness and plug, supposed to be in today.

Dealer quoted me 89.99 to flash the ECU! that seems ridiculous for 5 minutes of work. Might call around and see if i can find someone to do it cheaper.

Hopefully i'll get it all installed today and get the flash done sometime this week. I'll report back when all done.

 

Yeah they literally plug in their computer, scroll to the personalities menu, and enable an option. $90 is outrageous, especially when you buy parts through the same shop.