Towing Brake Controller Question

[ERohloff]

Going to install a Prodigy Brake Controller and wondering if I need to buy the under dash wiring harness (~$12) that goes with the Prodigy or does it come with the new truck (Hitch Co told me there should be one in the glove compartment!). Those of you who have recently bought a new truck - Is one supplied ? I know there should be a 7 to 4 pin rear adapter but suspect not a Controller harness. Ordered the towing pkg.

Thanks... .

bob r...



Another thought - Would you do the Prodigy or some are suggesting the Brakesmart or Jordan. This last question is maybe a stretch for this forum so ignore if you want... ... ... .

 

[RustyJC]

Brakesmart if you want the best and are flush with $$$$. Jordan Ultima 2020 if you're not.



And, yes, the brake controller pigtail should be in the glove compartment or center console. If the 3rd gen is like the late 2nd gen, you'll get both a 7-pin and 4-pin receptacle back on the receiver, so you don't need the 7-to-4 adapter any more.



Rusty

 

[BHanks]

I installed my Prodigy brake controller and it onlly takes a few minutes to hookup. My pigtail was under the back seat in the storage compartment.

 

[ThomasLawrence]

You can use the pigtail that comes with the truck (4-pin blue connector to bare wires), and splice it to the wiring that comes with the Prodigy (4-pin black connector to bare wires). Or, for $12, you can get a pre-made cable with the correct connectors on each end, and simply plug it in.



For me, it was worth the $12 to not have to bother with splicing the two together. Yes, I know it's simple to do. Yes, I've spliced hundreds of wires before. Yes, I own several soldering irons, heat shrink tubing, heat gun, professional-style crimping tool, etc. etc. etc. For $12 - why bother?



-Tom

 

[CLAYTON]

I love my Prodigy. I don't have anything to compare it to since it's my first brake controller but it works perfect right out of the box (after you have it hooked up of course :-laf ).

 

[OLY-VU]

Buy the wiring harness and save yourself some time/trouble... the Tow Pkg. comes with the harness, but requires splicing, etc. as mentioned above... For the money the Prodigy is a good controller...

 

[ECappleman]

Where is everbody mounting their Prodigy controller?

 

[CLAYTON]

Where is everbody mounting their Prodigy controller?

Here are a couple of pics of where mine is. I find it's easy to reach and adjust it if I need to and I can still see the display.

 

[wyosteve]

Mine's in the same place as Clayton's. And yes, buy the plug in harness.

 

[loghauler]

Mounted my Prodigy in the ashtray - after removing the ashtray insert (non-smoker). The under dash harness with factory molded plugs on both ends is well worth the twelve bucks.

 

[EEdmondson]

Hey CLAYTON, You're missing a pedal.



I bought the harness. I just makes it easier and cleaner.

 

[JCleary]

I have a Prodigy on my F450 (Company supplied truck, I didn't pay for it ) and it works really well.



I, however, am going to dump the cash on the Brakesmart. Set it once and forget it. It's as close to the new Ford device as you can get. It gives proportional braking based on your brake line pressure. Plus it's available in colors to match your stock interior. Plus, if you don't have gauges, they're going to have EGT and Boost capability (so I've heard).

 

[DPhillips]

I put my brake controller in the ashtray, keeps it out of the way of my feet and knee's. My buddy liked it so much he had me install his in ashtray tonight.



The ashtray comes apart fairly easy, it just snaps together like a beginners model car. I drilled a larger hole in the bottom of the ashtray housing using a hole saw, mounted the brake controller bracket to the top of the ashtray housing and then ran the wires through the hole I made and mounted the brake controller to the bracket, spliced the wire to the factory supplied pigtail and I was ready in less than 2 hours.



The ashtray has three parts, the housing that fits in the dash and the cover snaps apart into 2 different pieces. Opps almost forgot the little wire spring inside for the ashtray door.

 

[crobertson1]

Here's where I put mine. I really like the Prodigy. Good choice. It was a little more involved to put it there. I wanted it there for easy access for my wife if the need ever arises.



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[DPhillips]

crobertson1,



does that cubby hole where the brake controller is mounted just snap in place or is there a screw hoding it in place. I tried to remove it once and could not get the thing out. I didn't want to start throwing wrenches so I left it alone.

 

[BIG BOB]

Get the wiring harness that's made for the Prodigy, it makes the installation very simple and quick!



Here is where I mounted mine:



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[CLAYTON]

Hey CLAYTON, You're missing a pedal.

:-laf :-laf

 

[crobertson1]

DJs600,



Well, you have to first take the bolster under the steering column off, then the trim around the radio and AC controls, take the ash tray out I think, then on mine I had to partially R&I the console around the shifter to access a screw at the bottom of the cubby hole thingy. It was a pain, but at least I don't have to keep doing it.



I mounted the Prodigy holder to the top of the inside of the cubby hole then I could just snap the Prodigy into it.



Craig

 

[LesStallings]

I mounted mine just like Clayton's picture. It is totally out of the way but when I need it in a hurry, I just follow my right leg past the knee and the controller is right there.



Only once (so far) have I needed to slam on the brakes and manually shift the Prodogy lever to max. When you need it you need it and I don't want to go looking for it.

 

[CAKUZ]

Mine's in the same place as Clayton's. And yes, buy the plug in harness. [/QUOTE]







The truck comes from the factory with the harness in a sealed plastic bag and put in the glove box as part of the tow package. You do not need to buy it again unless someone swiped it at the dealer.