Electric Trailer Brake Install?

galvbay · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 11:48 AM

I have the electric brake controller that we took out of our Tacoma and need to install it in the new Tundra. Is the Tundra 'pre-wired' and ready to go? Any help/hints are appreciated. gb

shadyskins · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 11:52 AM

It is pre-wired if you have to towing package. The wiring is behind the drivers side kick panel. There also should have been a harness in your glove box.... solder/connect the wires from your brake controller to the wires on the harness and plug the harness into the other harness that is under the kick plate. It was very easy to do.... you may need to get a copy of the wiring diagram for your controller if you don't still have one.....

mxsjw · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galvbay

I have the electric brake controller that we took out of our Tacoma and need to install it in the new Tundra. Is the Tundra 'pre-wired' and ready to go? Any help/hints are appreciated. gb

Yes, if you have the Tow Package....
There will be a "pig tail" in your glove box.
The plug is under the driver's side, left side kick panel.
It is up kind of high, towards the firewall, taped to another wire bundle.
It has a blank plug in it that has to be removed, then you can plug in your pigtail and wire up your controller, or plug in your adapter if your controller manufacturer has a Toyota one.

Blackadder · #4 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galvbay

I have the electric brake controller that we took out of our Tacoma and need to install it in the new Tundra. Is the Tundra 'pre-wired' and ready to go? Any help/hints are appreciated. gb

I ordered a P3 trailer brake controller and Tundra harness, arrived last week. The install took 25 mins top.

The hardest part of the job was trying to get that kick panel back in without smashing something!!. The panel is secured with two pop clips and a bolt. The bolt is easy undone and the panel just pop's off. When you take the panel off, make sure you put the little white clips back in place. Sometimes they will stay in the body of the truck.

Good luck..

cwit · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 02:27 PM

Must be mine stayed in the truck I just use the bolt with the black cap. Premade harness is 9.99 I would never make a harness for that amount. I have the p3 it is great.

Blackadder · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toxarch

The white clips pop off? That would make it much easier. I keep trying to get the kick panel to slide back onto the white clips which takes a lot of trial and error.

lol, thats what caused me so much grief!! I finally got a large flat head screwdriver and popped those little suckers out. Then they slide nicely into the little slots in the cover.

kt001 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 03:30 PM

On the Tundra harness that comes in the glovebox, there is an extra green wire that is described as TRL on the diagram. On my brake, I only needed to connect 4 wires, not 5

galvbay · #8 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 06:03 PM

Thanks for all of the help and info. It looks like a easy install because the harness assembly that I took out of the Tacoma is exactly like the new tundra. The controller is already wired up and I think all I need to do is mount it, find the connection and plug it in. Again, thanks for the help. jim

nealhud29 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 02:12 PM

Is the wiring harness color coded to match exactly with the wires under the kick plate? I've got to install mine, as well.
Thanks guys.

mxsjw · #10 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealhud29

Is the wiring harness color coded to match exactly with the wires under the kick plate? I've got to install mine, as well.
Thanks guys.

If you've got the harness, there should be a stinger in the glove box that plugs into it. The wires on the stinger are labled with whats, what.

watersm · #11 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealhud29

Is the wiring harness color coded to match exactly with the wires under the kick plate? I've got to install mine, as well.
Thanks guys.

The colors of your controller wires (mine is P3) are NOT the same colors as the truck's harness in glovebox, so do NOT hook red to red, etc. You have to look at the function of each wire (well labeled on both cables). My P3 had a great color coding directions taped to the wires for various vehicle manufacturers.

nealhud29 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 09:03 PM

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

duckdog · #13 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 10:27 PM

What is the best brake controller?

Lono33 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-02-2008, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealhud29

Is the wiring harness color coded to match exactly with the wires under the kick plate? I've got to install mine, as well.
Thanks guys.

NO. danger will robinson. Do not match color for color. It's not even remotely intuitive. I installed the Tekonsha 'voyager' ($90) and it came with a little color code translator. I used the kit in the glove box, and had to mauallly splice and jump the wires. As mentioned above, one of he wires doesn't get used at all.

also, in case its not implied, definitely to with Tekonsha. They are the industry standard I have had on all my trucks and I wouldn't have another product. I don't just haul my crap, I have live animals back there. So, I take safety super seriously, (or my wife would kill me .)

it is a pain in the *** to get under there. I didn't remove any panels. I just moved the steering wheel up as high as I could, the drivers seat back as far as I could, and suffered and contorted. Good times. that white clip is a bitch, be prepared to swear and have beer nearby.

JimS5.7 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-02-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckdog

What is the best brake controller?

Tekonsha P3, love mine.