Ford Trailer Brake Controller
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Ford Trailer Brake Controller
I have just bought a new, left over 2006 F-250. It has a spot for Ford's integral brake controller and what appears to be the wiring harness for it. Is this something a do-it your selfer can install after purchasing the controller from a dealer?
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Joined: Oct 2004
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The same idea occurred to me for my 2005 F350 but the kit from the dealer was $850 and the labour was $250. The Ford controller uses an hydraulically operated switch which requires a different master cylinder. My RV dealer advised me to take out the little plastic box from the dash and install a Tekonsha prodigy Controller in the hole. This I did and the Prodigy fit with a plastic bracket like it was made for that spot. Ford supplies a pigtail with a block connector to be spliced onto the B.C. according to specific instructions for your truck. It is then plugged into the block connector attached to the backside of that little box you removed frpm the dash. The bracket for the b.c. was monted using two self tapping screws to the metal strap just inside the dash. Access was made possible by dropping down the storage box just below the bc location. Got the new prodigy off E Bay for 119 Cdn plus 12 shipping. Arrived in 3 days. Good luck.Easy job. Took me about 40 min. with no installation info.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2006
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I bought the Ford brake controler kit online for around 380 dollars. I installed the controller (nothing to it ) and my dealer installed the master cylinder, came in the kit, and programed the dash to recognize the controller for 200.00. Worth every penny. This controller is far better than any after market devise made.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Pa
I wouldn't pay the money for an O.E. controller when you can buy an aftermarket for much less $$$.
I just the bought a Tekonsha P3 for $160 and it has a rebate for $20. The P3 is the new top of the line from Tekonsha. For $10 I got the pre-made cable for my control that plugs into the factory harness. A plug a few wires and mount the controller and its done. Easy, you can do it yourself.
I just the bought a Tekonsha P3 for $160 and it has a rebate for $20. The P3 is the new top of the line from Tekonsha. For $10 I got the pre-made cable for my control that plugs into the factory harness. A plug a few wires and mount the controller and its done. Easy, you can do it yourself.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,829
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Originally Posted by dkf
I wouldn't pay the money for an O.E. controller when you can buy an aftermarket for much less $$$.
I just the bought a Tekonsha P3 for $160 and it has a rebate for $20. The P3 is the new top of the line from Tekonsha. For $10 I got the pre-made cable for my control that plugs into the factory harness. A plug a few wires and mount the controller and its done. Easy, you can do it yourself.
I just the bought a Tekonsha P3 for $160 and it has a rebate for $20. The P3 is the new top of the line from Tekonsha. For $10 I got the pre-made cable for my control that plugs into the factory harness. A plug a few wires and mount the controller and its done. Easy, you can do it yourself.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2006
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Originally Posted by msgtg
I was under the impression the OEM WAS the Tekonsha prodigy and that it was plug and play. This is the first I heard of needing a different master cylinder.
Can somebody please fill me in!
Can somebody please fill me in!
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Artful here again. Iagree that the oem is almost certainly a better way of going from a performance point of view but the aftermarket upgrade is so expensive that I suggested a well-acceptable cheaper alternative with the prodigy. The one responder said he had one oem installed but look at the total cost. $380 for the kit, then a master cylinder installation which will require bleeding the lines, which is not a cheap proceedure at the dealer's and where else would you have it done to not jeopardize your new vehicle warrranty. I guess like everything it comes down to how deep in the jeans you want to dig. Happy trailering either way!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Monroe, MI
I have an 05 with the factory brake controller and it is by far a superior controller to any I have ever used. But I will say I would purchase the Prodigy if I needed an after market controller. Tekonsha makes both controllers
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Just to stick my 2 cents in here, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to use both styles of controllers while towing and I can say that the OEM integrated system is so nice it makes the even high quality aftermarket controllers seem inadequate. The ability to have the controller automatically tailor the trailer brake application pressure to the specific stoping criteria at the time is amazing. It gives even massive loads the ability to stop on a dime. That being said, ARTFUL, I would be interested in seeing some installation pics if you have some. It is always nice to see how folks have done things. It sounds like you have a really clean install.
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