Cheap, Easy, Fun Mods!!
04-07-2018, 09:13 AM
#401
Now an XLT in Colorado
04-07-2018, 12:34 PM
#402
Senior Member
So, this is a cheap and easy mod that I did in regards to changing the location of the trailer plug, i tow a trailer and a boat around quite often but I got tired of replacing the 7pin plug every year in the spring so I decided to mount it beside my license plate like I noticed a lot of the newer trucks are doing from factory.
I took off my license plate and cut a slot into the metal large enough to take butt end of the plug, I did have to use a dremel and carefully remove some of the plastic ribbing on the plug to get it to fit just right, keep in mind though that you do need to re drill the license plate holes and either screw it on or bolt it on, I went with a bolt on method using nylock nuts.
I did this about 2 years ago and I havent had to replace a plug since but previously I replaced 3 plugs because of where it got mounted, which was under the bumper.
I got the plug as far over as I could and I found that it was skinnier having it sideways as well.
This is what it looks like when looking at it from the rear. if you look on the bottom left under the bumper you will see the remnants of the bracket from the old plug, I dont know exactly why I havent taken it fully off yet, but that happened after I backed into a snow bank to turn around and it caught a piece of ice and ripped out the plug wiring from the plug itself.
I took off my license plate and cut a slot into the metal large enough to take butt end of the plug, I did have to use a dremel and carefully remove some of the plastic ribbing on the plug to get it to fit just right, keep in mind though that you do need to re drill the license plate holes and either screw it on or bolt it on, I went with a bolt on method using nylock nuts.
I did this about 2 years ago and I havent had to replace a plug since but previously I replaced 3 plugs because of where it got mounted, which was under the bumper.
I got the plug as far over as I could and I found that it was skinnier having it sideways as well.
This is what it looks like when looking at it from the rear. if you look on the bottom left under the bumper you will see the remnants of the bracket from the old plug, I dont know exactly why I havent taken it fully off yet, but that happened after I backed into a snow bank to turn around and it caught a piece of ice and ripped out the plug wiring from the plug itself.
04-07-2018, 12:57 PM
#403
Now an XLT in Colorado
I didn't have a problem with the '99 after several years in Ohio, and the' 03's looks good as new. What is this "boot" to which you refer, though?
04-07-2018, 02:06 PM
#404
Senior Member
It's a weather tight formed boot that installs on the backside. They're nice, don't leak at all. The dielectric remains fresh on the inside. I might have purchased it, 15 years ago or so, can't remember. I recall the harness that connects to the big plug inside the frame rotted out with time. Rock Auto makes or has a ready built replacement harness for that. It connects up to the 7 pin and tails.
Last edited by Jbrew; 04-07-2018 at 02:11 PM.
04-07-2018, 10:18 PM
#405
04-07-2018, 10:20 PM
#406
I had a problem with them completely breaking off and dangling down and then the plug getting messed up from bouncing off the road, replaced 2 or 3 plugs before I did this.
04-07-2018, 11:05 PM
#407
Senior Member
Well, it's too late now, but as you most likley realized, the absolute weakest points that should first be corrected is that cheap tin can of a L bracket/mounting bracket most companies tack onto their hitches lol. Useless, and the first thing to get rid of. It's easy enough to make or purchase one 3/16 or better. This way you don't bend the snot out it from just attempting to connect up . The sealed pin set ups run maybe 70-80 bucks. One of those things , you get what you pay for and a problem that's only noticed by those who actually pull trailers often enough. Rear of these trucks take quite a bit of abuse, specially through the winter months....have to use the good stuff back there if you want to work when needed. You probably know all about that as well lol.
04-08-2018, 12:00 AM
#408
Yea, there's a lot cheap set ups for sale, see them all the time at 3rd party stores...it's all they carry lol. Probably could paid for good set up by now vs going with what's available locally in most places.
Well, it's too late now, but as you most likley realized, the absolute weakest points that should first be corrected is that cheap tin can of a L bracket/mounting bracket most companies tack onto their hitches lol. Useless, and the first thing to get rid of. It's easy enough to make or purchase one 3/16 or better. This way you don't bend the snot out it from just attempting to connect up . The sealed pin set ups run maybe 70-80 bucks. One of those things , you get what you pay for and a problem that's only noticed by those who actually pull trailers often enough. Rear of these trucks take quite a bit of abuse, specially through the winter months....have to use the good stuff back there if you want to work when needed. You probably know all about that as well lol.
Well, it's too late now, but as you most likley realized, the absolute weakest points that should first be corrected is that cheap tin can of a L bracket/mounting bracket most companies tack onto their hitches lol. Useless, and the first thing to get rid of. It's easy enough to make or purchase one 3/16 or better. This way you don't bend the snot out it from just attempting to connect up . The sealed pin set ups run maybe 70-80 bucks. One of those things , you get what you pay for and a problem that's only noticed by those who actually pull trailers often enough. Rear of these trucks take quite a bit of abuse, specially through the winter months....have to use the good stuff back there if you want to work when needed. You probably know all about that as well lol.
10-18-2018, 02:32 PM
#410
I've had my '98 Lariat 4x4 for several years but have only recently been on this forum for some advice.
First thing that I did when I started driving it was to do the old Jeep Wrangler rearview mirror flip. That puts the rearview mirror higher so there is less obstruction of the view out the windshield. That puts the lever for night driving at the top of the mirror instead of the bottom but I rarely use that feature anyway.
I read about the zip tie and throttle cable mod and thought, Oh, that's a bunch of crap. Then one day as I was doing other stuff in the truck, I noticed the extra slack in the throttle cable and thought, It probably came that way, and it's going to take a bunch of zip ties. But I did it.
First time I was at a stop light and pushed the pedal - instant response!
Good mod.
First thing that I did when I started driving it was to do the old Jeep Wrangler rearview mirror flip. That puts the rearview mirror higher so there is less obstruction of the view out the windshield. That puts the lever for night driving at the top of the mirror instead of the bottom but I rarely use that feature anyway.
I read about the zip tie and throttle cable mod and thought, Oh, that's a bunch of crap. Then one day as I was doing other stuff in the truck, I noticed the extra slack in the throttle cable and thought, It probably came that way, and it's going to take a bunch of zip ties. But I did it.
First time I was at a stop light and pushed the pedal - instant response!
Good mod.