Inbed brake connection

[mike & linda]

Has anyone installed a 7 pin brake connector in the truck bed. Is it anymore difficult than cutting the hole? Dealer wants $210 to do it.

[Mike Clay]

Chevy comes with the wire loom so we cut hole in the bed with a hole saw looked at the way the other plug was wired. Was not to bad I think it took us 30 minutes or so. Now if you are going to be splicing wires that is going to add a lot of time.

[Travelers]

Might want to consider a 3' pigtail that is already wired. Just drill the hole anbd splice it in at a height that is easy to work at. That's how I did my 2005 Ford SD.

[Billy Sunday]

I suggest that you purchase and extension 7 point receptacle kit from one of the Internet hitch companies that will be made specifically for your truck application. You can unplug your existing wire connector from the back of the original hitch 7 point plug and attach the "T" from the extension kit and place it in the hole you drilled into the side of your truck. DO NOT PRE-Drill the hole until you determine how deep the new 7 point receptacle is, the clearance for the plug will diminish the higher you go to the top of the truck rail. It is really very simple, the hardest part is determining where to drill the hole on your truck bed wall and as always read the instructions carefully before you begin assembly (it pains me to say read the instructions).

My cost for the plug was about $35.00 and I ordered it with my hitch...it will take about an hour by the time you tie the excess wiring harness to the underside of your truck.

[watkinsk]

Last summer I did the work myself on the new Ford. I purchased the following from etrailer.com:

Code Item Quantity Price/Ea. Total
________________________________________
54701-003
5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness w/ 7-Pole Plug - GM, Ford, Dodge, Toyota - 7' Long 1 $94.95 $94.95
Shipping: Shipping Special: $6.99
Sales Tax: $0.00
________________________________________
Total: $101.94

The key was getting the gooseneck design because of the tight fit between the truck sidewall and bed. Hooking it up to the electrical on the preinstalled towing hitch for regular trailers was a piece of cake. I borrowed a hole drill bit (2 inch I think) from a neighbor. Took 15 minutes to drill the hole and then about 20 minutes to complete the wiring connections.

My dealer wanted $120 plus parts to install it.

Keith

[mike & linda]

Thanks for the info. I assume they are putting the plug in the column next to the tail gate? The tee with the prewired extension sounds like the way to go. Thanks for the speedy replies. Hope everyone has a great 4th.

[Rob & Cathy]

Has anyone installed a 7 pin brake connector in the truck bed. Is it anymore difficult than cutting the hole? Dealer wants $210 to do it.

Here's a sample harness for your 2006 Super Duty:
http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehi ... 0061172154

Rov