Adding brake controller

Worktruck · August 3, 2004

I will be adding a brake controller for trailer brakes soon, trouble is the truck did not come with the towing package. I know there is a harness that can be added to plug into the panel by the e brake to go to the controller, but is there a harness that can be added to go to the back of the truck? Also if anyone has the part #'s for these harnesses that would be cool. Any advise is appreciated. BTW I will be adding electric brakes to my cargo trauiler too. Complete set of brakes with controller was $300. Didn't think that was to bad to save wear and tear on the truck.

az'03Silverado · August 4, 2004

Do you mean the connector in the back to plug the trailer harness into? Even though your truck didn't come with a tow package, there should be a wire harness clipped to the frame above the spare tire. All you need is the connector plug which you can get from any auto parts store along with the mounting bracket. 'Reese' makes a good one that is even availible at Wal-Mart. Just plug it in and then bolt it to the bumper and you're set. Of course you'll have to install the brake controller. If your trailer is running a 12V accessory, you'll need to put a fuse in the #1Stud position in the under-hood fuse panel and hook up the loose red wire to Stud#1 and you'll have power to the center post on your 7 pin trailer harness. Good luck!

Worktruck · August 6, 2004

Thanks for the input az03, but the plug you reffer to in the back is not there. All that is there is the four wire pigtail. Has anyone added a brake controller to a 02 or older Sierra that did not come with the tow package? I bought a Prodigy brake controller and am hoping I can still plug it into the bus ontroller by the kick panel and make the necessary connections and mods at the power dist panel under the hood. I guess I'll have to run a 12-2 from the dist panel to the 7 pin connector to make it all work. Just hoping the wires are all there under the hood for the bus connections. I'll cross my fingers and wait to hear from some of you.

Worktruck · August 7, 2004

Guess I'm diving into new territory here. I spoke with a service tech at the local GM dealerr who has done this to his own truck. Say's it's not to bad just a PITA. Will let ya know how it turns out.

99-2door · August 7, 2004

The wires are there at the rear on all the trucks (regardless of tow package or not). It doesn't have a plug, you have to splice the wires. They are taped up near the end of the harness on the frame.

Worktruck · August 15, 2004

The only wires that are there are turn signal, running lights and stop. There is no trailer brake or battery feed. Those will have to be run from the engine compartment. Have all the parts now just need it to stop raining.

Worktruck · August 26, 2004

Well jobs all done. I used the Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller from Towshop.com, $106 with free shipping, that was a plug and play install. All the wires from the brake controller terminated at the power center under the hood. I ran 3 12 ga. wires to the rear of the truck, brake, 12 volts and a ground, insied a 1/2" wire look. I tied that up to the existing wire look taht runs along the frame rail. All in all it was a pretty easy install. I also installed 10" drum brakes on my cargo trailer, 6' x 12' enclosed single axle. Not really necessary to have brakes on the trailer but fully loaded it weighs in at #3000. So just to save the brakes on my truck the $400 price tag was well worth it. And now I can stop too!