Short brake controller tutorial

[Will24]

Put a Tekonsha Prodigy in my Dad's 04. 5 today, took pics along the way and figured I'd write up a quick tutorial for those that want to install them...



Started out with a Tekonsha dodge specific harness and went from there...



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Used the "pocket" mount that is included, dad wanted to be able to remove the controller if a need arises. From the top left going clockwise is the plugin harness, the hardwire harness that comes with the controller, the controller installed in the mount, the template for mounting, and the regular U bracket mount.



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[Will24]

Next I dug around under the dash to locate the mating connector for the controller, found it here... it's the blue connector peeking out right above the big harness...



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Here is a view with that large plug removed, simply unbolt the 10mm bolt in the center and pull to remove...



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[Will24]

Next I removed the panel beneath the steering wheel by removing the two #2 phillips screws and giving a firm yank on the panel, there are two retainers at the top that simply pop out. I plugged the harness for the controller in and reinstalled the large plug beneath it.



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Now onto mounting the bracket... before removing the panel, I figured out roughly where I wanted to place the controller and made a few small marks with a marker. I placed the included template onto the panel and used the included self tapping screws to secure it.



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[Will24]

Now place the panel back in the truck, reinstall the two screws at the bottom. Fish the harness through the bottom of the bracket, and plug it into the back of the controller, slide the controller into the "pocket" style bracket. Secure the harness under the dash, making sure to clear all moving parts. You're done! Here's the finished product.



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[kbarlow]

What's with the "Miller" tin?? I checked all my instructions and nowhere did I see it say "It's Miller Time"



Cheers Ken

 

[Will24]

That was "holy crap, my garage is 85 degrees and all I have in my little fridge is beer!" then I thought to myself, well, that's not a bad thing...

 

[Casey Balvert]

Excellent pictures.

 

[Po' Riggity]

Very nice write up. . I will definetly be referring to it after I get my brake controller. . I plan on using the same one, so this write up will come in very handy!

Scott

 

[Will24]

Thanks! Another thing I forgot to mention was that I lined the connector on the controller up with the screw hole at the bottom of the panel so I could run the cable straight down and wire tie it there, you can see in the pics that the cable makes a left turn after it gets to the screw hole.





-Will

 

[boonsur]

Just like I did mine. Except you shouldn't need to remove the dash panel. The sheet metal screws that came with the controller hold just fine. I located, marked, and pre-drilled the holes, all from the front side. I did feel around to ensure I wasn't goint to pierce anything behind it.



Good post!

 

[Dean Upson]

Very nice job, thank you. I already have mine on (the same way), but this should reasure those interested that it is not a hard job and doesn't need a $65/hr "tech" to install it.



Dean

 

[FCecelin]

Put mine the cubby ... . pull dash trim off. . cut hole in cubby. . connect dodge specific prodigy wire under dash . . route wire through an opening in sheet metal and then through hole in cubby. . reasemble dash trim . . plug in prodigy. . done

 

[sarj]

what's a cubby?



I was debating on an interior mount on the same panel, trimmed around the prodigy, with the bracket mounted behind... kind of like a little prodigy rat sticking his head out of his hole. I get it around wed or thurs, so i'll decide by then I reckon.

 

[Will24]

the little hole beneath the radio

 

[NSperduto]

I mounted mine off of the 4wd shifter bezel in front of the shifter. I found the dash mount to be no good when my wife drove with the seat all the way in the forward position.



Nick

 

[Parshal]

I put mine in the middle of that same kick panel just above the hood release. I toyed with the idea of putting in the same place as you but found my knee would bump it. Of course, I'm short and have the seat up close!

 

[Rosco]

I have mine the exact same way.

 

[DougJones]

Somebody needs to invent a controller that fits in a gauge mount. This would help keep the interior clean. Any inventors out there?

 

[BRuppel]

i wouldn't put it in the cubby if you plan on putting aftermarket gauges in there at some point. why didn't you drill the panel and keep those wires out of site?

 

[PJ]

I mounted mine on the bottom left hand side of the steering wheel. I only used the one screw (for now) just in case I want to move it. It was very easy to mount and I didnt need to remove the white plastic wire harness. i just slipped the factory pig tail behind it and it slid right in. Im using the "Reese" brand trailer controller that I took out of my last rig. . Worked great then and still works great now, tho Ive only towed my new trailer 5 miles. I have no fear. . It will work and its out of the way. i have never come close to hitting it. :-laf