Trailer Wiring
Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 25
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Trailer Wiring
I had the same question? there is a grey cannister behind each tail light, with a red rubber cap on them. I believe the drivers side is the one for trailer wiring, but possibly both. I'm going to check with the local Ford dealership.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Trailer Wiring
Well, it took me awhile to find your answer (though I was sure all ready) I also have a 2000 explorer and needing trailer wiring. I went to Ford and asked them about wiring and told them about the grey cylinders. They just blew me off and sent me to a u-haul place that also does trailer wiring and hitches. U-haul dude tried to tell me that I wasn't rigged and needed to splice into the wires by the jack. I knew he was wrong and got the heck out of there without letting him touch my truck. I went to Checker auto parts, and they said I needed a $54.00 wiring setup and it would take two days to get it in. I said B.S.!!!Finally coming to my senses, I went to a place that does ONLY trailering needs. The guy came out and took a 30 second lookover, went into the shop and sold me a $15.00 wiring kit that's a perfect match for that "grey cylinder" . You plug it into the driver side one.
The part is made by "Hoppy" which stands for Hopkins Manufacturing Co.
The part # is 40915 and is called "trailer wiring kit"
Hope that helps you out!! Sure was a lot of running around!!
-AND what's with those Ford Service people acting like they work for Chevy, ANYWAY????? hehehehe
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17
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From: Elkridge
Trailer Wiring
I'm having a trailer wiring problem with my '96 Explorer. I bought a Hoppy (40325) wiring kit. On the package it says it's for a 1996-97 Ford Explorer. I plugged it in under the back drivers side tail light assembly and it worked fine the first time I used it. It's been plugged in place for about a year now and it stopped working. The trailer is wired correctly because I plugged it up to a neighbors car and all of the lights work on the trailer. I tested the wiring kit and it shows that I have current running through the T-fitting. I replaces the flat 4 prong wire from the T-fitting to the trailer and they still don't work. Any ideas?
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4
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Trailer Wiring
Look in the access panel where the jack is located. My used 2000 Exp had the plug in a plastic bag behind the jack. Take the rubber cap off the plug hanging under the drivers side rear light plug it in and you are good to go.
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New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Warragul Victoria Austral
Trailer Wiring
I had 2000 xlt explorer imported down under to Australia and it already had a wiring loom fitted ex factory. Just look up under the rear end and see if it is fitted to your US models. If I remember correctly the loom had like a corrugated look about it and it came down from the right hand rear side. Just a matter of hooking up the connector.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 377
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From: CFB Petawawa Canada
Trailer Wiring
All Fords are wired for trailers. Al you require is the wiring kit priced from 15-247$ Cdn. The kit plugs into the signal box in the rear, ether on the Passager side for Windstars, Cars etc . And the drivers side for Aerostars, Explorers, Rangers,etc. The kit that is cheap is just a wire tha hooks up just under the steering wheel on Windstars, etc, this gives you basic lights. The best kit wires kit wires up right to the rear relay signal box, it comes with heavy duty relays, cross wiring due to newer vehs power to the computer is always on. DONOT SPLICE INTO WIRING ON NEWER 98-UP. You will short out bad and not have lights. Last part is wiring from veh to trailer. If you have trailer brakes one more wire is needed, for the brake box.
I got this info from the Ford Dealer, I always take my vehs to. My neighbour wired up his Windstar, which kit does about ever Ford with trailer brakes cost 247$ Cdn.
My Aerostar was prewired and is the same, only thing I needed was the trailer brake box wire 12$ Cdn.
I got this info from the Ford Dealer, I always take my vehs to. My neighbour wired up his Windstar, which kit does about ever Ford with trailer brakes cost 247$ Cdn.
My Aerostar was prewired and is the same, only thing I needed was the trailer brake box wire 12$ Cdn.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 25
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Trailer Wiring
dwessels: It is possible your connection is corroded. I would buy a new harness connecting kit (about $15.00) unplug the old and plug in the new.
Looks to be easily corroded since the plug in lies in the wheel well where all the road spray and mud flies up into.
Looks to be easily corroded since the plug in lies in the wheel well where all the road spray and mud flies up into.
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17
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From: Elkridge
Trailer Wiring
Thanks for the suggestion, blackbear. However, I did already try that. I had a wiring kit from my '93 F150 that was only used one time. It plugged into my Explorer like it was made for it. That plug did have 2 extra pins inside the connector but the 5 pins that I needed were in the right place. So, as of right now, I know that the trailer is OK, I know that the wiring harness (remember I checked the connector with a volt meter and it showed current going through) is OK, all of the lights on the back of the Explorer work fine. I just don't get it!
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1
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From: Pacific Northwest
Trailer Wiring
Hi, I'm new to the forum. My question is re my '94 Explorer XLT 4x4. Do y'all think it already is wired for trailer brakes? I'm hoping I don't have to pay a shop $150 to wire it, if all they're going to do is plug in the $25 cable. I looked at where my 4 pin flat connector wire connects to (the little grey box), and it looks like there's 7 wires in it. Do these run all the way up to the front of the rig where a brake controller would plug in?
Thanks for everyone's advice!
Thanks for everyone's advice!
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