Brake Controller
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Rockmart, GA
Brake Controller
Hey there again X crew,
Brake controllers. I am getting all of my duck in a row awaiting my X.
Question: Should I use an aftermarket unit like a Prodigy or order a Ford Factory unit that is made for the little pocket on the dash? The Ford unit has the wire harness ready to go I am told.
My Titan had a wire harness with a pigtail. The wires were labled and it was a snap to install. I use a Prodigy and love it. If the Ford unit is good then no reason to redo the wires unless they are easy to decifer and use as is.
All advice is greatly appreciated!
Great new home here in the X-world!
Brew camper
Can't wait to get my new ride!
Brake controllers. I am getting all of my duck in a row awaiting my X.
Question: Should I use an aftermarket unit like a Prodigy or order a Ford Factory unit that is made for the little pocket on the dash? The Ford unit has the wire harness ready to go I am told.
My Titan had a wire harness with a pigtail. The wires were labled and it was a snap to install. I use a Prodigy and love it. If the Ford unit is good then no reason to redo the wires unless they are easy to decifer and use as is.
All advice is greatly appreciated!
Great new home here in the X-world!
Brew camper
Can't wait to get my new ride!
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 33
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From: Kentucky
You have to buy the harness with both ends on it. It will come with one that will fit in the controller and you have to wire it to your truck unless you buy one with both ends that will fit your truck and controller
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: High Point, NC
Originally Posted by Downriver Thunder
If you have the tow package your truck should have come with the pigtail. Oh, and I don't know if either unit will fit in the little box.
Not to steal this thread, but as part of the install, I'm having trouble getting the dash out. I have the driver's side out, but I can't seem to get the rest of it to pop out. I'm a litte afraid of breaking something. Is there a trick to it, or do I just need to grit my teeth and pull?
Back on topic, once I get the Prodigy installed, I will post pics.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
If you buy the specific harness for your Ex and Prodigy plus another mounting bracket, you can swap the controller between vehicles. I'm not a big fan of putting controllers in places where I can't get to the manual lever in a hurry; if your trailer gets squirrelly you want to be able to straighten it out day or night.
Steve
Steve
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 82
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From: SW Chicago Burbs
I have read that the the installation of the integrated ford controller that is in the towboss is not easy and will include a trip to the dealer to have the computer flashed for this.
I have a prodigy and love it. With the direct harness the installation was probalby 15 minutes. You could put it in the cubby hole but I didn't like the fact that if I needed to hit the manual slide it would be difficult to get to without looking at.
I will try to take a picture of my install and post this weekend.
I have a prodigy and love it. With the direct harness the installation was probalby 15 minutes. You could put it in the cubby hole but I didn't like the fact that if I needed to hit the manual slide it would be difficult to get to without looking at.
I will try to take a picture of my install and post this weekend.
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Freshman User
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Prodigy is a great controller! If you've already got one, save the money and effort for other mods! Let the modding begin!!
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Originally Posted by MarkMoore
Not to steal this thread, but as part of the install, I'm having trouble getting the dash out. I have the driver's side out, but I can't seem to get the rest of it to pop out. I'm a litte afraid of breaking something. Is there a trick to it, or do I just need to grit my teeth and pull?
If you are going to take the radio out, there are two screws in the top of the place where the radio goes that go into open-ended slots in the removed part of the dash. They don't have to come out to pull the dash off, but loosening them may help a bit.
Thats probably as clear as mud, but i figured i'd give it a shot
oh, and by the way, the dash comes out easiest if you drop the gear selector into 1.
Good luck!
Isaac
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Rockmart, GA
Thanks guys!
You guy are great here on the X Forum!
So there are those out there that are towing with the X?!? I see way to many soccer moms out there scrubbing the side walls of the tire on a curb trying to squeeze into a parking spot! They must thing the white letters are tread!
Anyway, Thanks for the feedback. I will take action as soon as I can get my X in the drive way.
Brew Camper
So there are those out there that are towing with the X?!? I see way to many soccer moms out there scrubbing the side walls of the tire on a curb trying to squeeze into a parking spot! They must thing the white letters are tread!
Anyway, Thanks for the feedback. I will take action as soon as I can get my X in the drive way.
Brew Camper
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2004
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anyone have issues with their Prodigy unit???
mine will not apply enough braking to the trailer.
i installed it with the ford pigtail and have checked everything and even called the factory but cant seem to figure out why.
the trailer works great with my other truck and its cheapo unit.but will not lock up the wheels at any speed by pressing the lever at max gain.
i'm thinking it must be a ground issue.as there are brakes just not what there should be
thanks
pete
mine will not apply enough braking to the trailer.
i installed it with the ford pigtail and have checked everything and even called the factory but cant seem to figure out why.
the trailer works great with my other truck and its cheapo unit.but will not lock up the wheels at any speed by pressing the lever at max gain.
i'm thinking it must be a ground issue.as there are brakes just not what there should be
thanks
pete
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
Originally Posted by Brew Camper
So there are those out there that are towing with the X?!?
We chose the Ex over the F250 because it was more useful for us than the F250 would have been.
Originally Posted by icecold
anyone have issues with their Prodigy unit???
Mine will not apply enough braking to the trailer....will not lock up the wheels at any speed by pressing the lever at max gain.
Mine will not apply enough braking to the trailer....will not lock up the wheels at any speed by pressing the lever at max gain.
When I adjusted the controller like the directions outlined, I could easily lock the trailer wheels.
Stewart
Last edited by S_Harvey; Jan 13, 2007 at 08:25 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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I've pulled a travel trailer over 10,000 miles with the X and a Prodigy controller. Best brake controller ever used. It's quick, properly responsive in all conditions, and I've never needed to adjust it once set up.
Unfortunately, I know nothing about the Ford controller. Anyone know more about the factory controller or have experience with it? Bueller? ...Bueller?
Unfortunately, I know nothing about the Ford controller. Anyone know more about the factory controller or have experience with it? Bueller? ...Bueller?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,519
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From: Wyandotte, Michigan
Originally Posted by S_Harvey
When I adjusted the controller like the directions outlined, I could easily lock the trailer wheels.
Stewart