Brake Controller Install locations

[snowtop57]

Installed my Curt brake controller today. Ordered the bezel that was made for the factory controller, used a Dremel to cut the opening bigger and this is the result. I’m happy with it.

[Hulk_Silverado]

Does anyone have experience with the CURT 51180 brake controller?

[Jdog93]

On 11/4/2017 at 9:39 PM, HoosierZ said:

Yesterday, I installed a Reese Compact IQ controller in my truck. The controller is mounted behind the dash near the parking brake pedal and I mounted the adjuster dial and indicator LED in a panel over the pocket above the 4wd selector dial. 

Hi, just wondering where you got the mounting plate from. It looks like it covers the existing hole perfectly.

[HoosierZ]

2 hours ago, Jdog93 said:

Hi, just wondering where you got the mounting plate from. It looks like it covers the existing hole perfectly.

I made it from a piece of plastic. There were a couple of L brackets on the back to attach it inside the pocket. 

[SPost]

Here are some pictures illustrating how I installed my aftermarket brake controller.

I purchased the trim bevel for a truck that has the original factory brake control to mount my aftermarket brake control.

I cut apart my old bevel to get a piece to fill the old brake controller switch hole.

 

After cutting the piece to size to fit the old switch location, and drilling and mounting my new afteraftermarket switch I used a solder iron and some “zip tie welding rods” to “plastic weld” it in place.  

 

I was able to conveniently attach the control box in the panel on the left side of the dash.

I really like how this turned out, not quite as perfect as factory but close.  When I showed it to the wife and daughter, they didn’t even realize something was different, if thats a good measure of success anyway .  Wanted to share if others are looking for some options like this.

 

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[streetmachine18]

so I have a 2018 Silverado LT crew cab four-wheel-drive, my aftermarket brake controller has started failing so I bought a factory trailer brake controller and plugged it in but of course it doesn't work. instead of trying to make it function like a factory unit can I cut the harness, and wire it into the aftermarket TBC harness, and use it in place of an aftermarket unit?

 

are there enough smarts in the box to let it function without onboard modules? or is it just a dumb box with switches and buttons to interface? 

Edited September 3, 2023 by streetmachine18

[GMcanlickmybags]

On 9/3/2023 at 5:49 PM, streetmachine18 said:

so I have a 2018 Silverado LT crew cab four-wheel-drive, my aftermarket brake controller has started failing so I bought a factory trailer brake controller and plugged it in but of course it doesn't work. instead of trying to make it function like a factory unit can I cut the harness, and wire it into the aftermarket TBC harness, and use it in place of an aftermarket unit?

 

are there enough smarts in the box to let it function without onboard modules? or is it just a dumb box with switches and buttons to interface? 

Did you ever get around to trying this? I've got a new to me 2015 and I like the idea better than the ugly aftermarket options or doing a bunch of plastic modifying to get something that looks halfway decent.