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Trailer Plug Relocation

Discussion in 'Towing' started by B_brand, Dec 28, 2011.

  1. Dec 28, 2011 at 3:43 PM
    #1
    B_brand

    B_brand [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brandon
    Oklahoma
    I broke off my factory trailer light plug and had to buy a new one. The dealership said that they would have to order the whole wiring harness and it would be over $200. So I told them I would fix it myself. I searched on here and found several write-ups on how to fix and relocate the plug. I ended up locating the new plug in the bumper next to the license tag. I have included a few pictures to help anyone else out.

    The functions for the wires in the factory harness are:
    White - Ground
    Red - Left Turn (will also come on with brakes)
    Brown - Right Turn (will also come on with brakes)
    Black - 12v (this is the constant hot wire it will only be on when the ignition is on)
    Blue - Electric Brake
    Yellow - Reverse Lights
    Green - Tail Lights

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    SR-71A, ChadsPride, Jazz1one and 2 others like this.
  2. Dec 28, 2011 at 3:54 PM
    #2
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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    Thanks for the write-up...great idea!! Is that the oem plug or aftermarket, and how did you get the hole through the bumper?
     
    ChadsPride likes this.
  3. Dec 28, 2011 at 3:55 PM
    #3
    JasoTaco

    JasoTaco Well-Known Member

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    Jason
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    ToyTec Ultimate 3" Lift -TSB Rear springs - TRD Cold Air Intake - TRD Skid Plate - Total Chaos Upper Control Arms - 2 Hella Rallye 4000 lights (130W Bulbs) - Clear Bra - Under Coat - Bed extener - Toyota Bed Mat - Weathertech floor mats - Tailgate hose clamp & washer mod - PIAA Fog Lights - ScanGauge II - Beefed Sliders - Differential Breather Mod - Heated Seats - All-Pro Bumper - Warn M8000 Winch with wireless controls - Boztec Diff Skid - ATO skids
    Nice work! Rep for you. :thumbsup:
     
  4. Dec 28, 2011 at 3:56 PM
    #4
    B_brand

    B_brand [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, I forgot those details. I had to buy an aftermarket plug at OReillys since my old one was broken. I used a 1/8" drill bit to mark the center of the hole, then used a 2" hole saw with a 1/4" arbor bit in it.
     
    ChadsPride likes this.
  5. Jan 5, 2012 at 5:16 AM
    #5
    YotaComa22

    YotaComa22 Well-Known Member

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    3" ToyTec Lift kit with ultra Goliath wheels and general grabber tires for now.
    good thinking on that one.....nice relocation....I like it....
     
  6. Sep 17, 2014 at 11:06 AM
    #6
    aww1970

    aww1970 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for posting the colors of the factory harness, it saved me some headaches.
     
  7. Sep 17, 2014 at 11:24 AM
    #7
    reellittlephish

    reellittlephish Well-Known Member

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    none yet
    Nice job. I used an E-Trailer custom 5 pin harness to outfit my 2007 Tacoma Access Cab. Cost $63.55. Took about 3 hours to install and I was extra careful. Never had popped the rear lenses off this truck.
     
  8. May 15, 2015 at 5:38 PM
    #8
    tyndall5818

    tyndall5818 Well-Known Member

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    Check out my build thread.
    @adamv22 going to mount my new one like this! Not spending $50 on a relocation bracket!
     
  9. Jun 25, 2015 at 10:58 PM
    #9
    OCD

    OCD Well-Known Member

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    I didn't want to drill a hole in my bumper for cosmetic reasons, although relocation of the trailer plug between the license plate light and license plate seems like the the most utilitarian choice. I didn't want to use an existing license plate light hole, and lose one of the lights, because I've read online that regardless of the quality of illumination remaining with one light, elimination of one is illegal. Although that doesn't sound reasonable to me, I just didn't want the potential hassle with cops. My decision was to relocate the plug behind the bumper, in a spot where it's completely hidden from view, but accessible when I need to use it. The photos here show what I did.


    I removed the plug and plug bracket from the OEM mount on the tow bar. I removed the 90 degree bracket from the bottom of the frame where the driver's side rear bumper support bolts to the frame. I flattened out the folded edges on the plug bracket so the plug bracket would sit flat on the 90 degree bracket, then welded the two together (if you can call the shitty result "welding" - I'm obviously a dauber, but it's super strong). I reamed the lapping holes on the welded together pieces so the 17mm bolts would pass through both when the fabricated assembly was bolted back to the frame/bumper support. I etch primed the assembly, painted it black, and bolted it back where the 90 had been removed from. I reinstalled the plug on the relocated plug bracket. The OEM wiring harness has enough slack to reach the new position, the plug is well away from the largest diameter spare that could be carried beneath the bed, and the hinged cap opens completely without interference from the 17mm bolts behind it. Also the male connector on the trailer cable will be above the bottom of the spare, so nothing hangs low to catch on rocks, brush, ruts.

    I'll probably make up about an 18" long pigtail with a female connecter on one end, and a male connecter on the other, to use if I rent or borrow a trailer with a lead too short to reach the relocated plug. Any trailer I eventually own, I'll make the lights/brake cable long enough to reach the relocated plug without the pigtail. When I'm not towing (which will be 99.9% of the time), I'll stow the pigtail under the backseat of my dbl cab, and the relocated plug will be well protected in it's new position.

    I was kind of thinking what's left of the original mount (1st photo) would make a handy spot for an auxiliary LED backup light, but decided against that since I'd be hanging the light in the same potential trouble spot the trailer plug was in. I'd end up breaking or ripping the light off in that position. I'll probably cut off what's left of the original mount as close to the tow bar as possible to visually clean up that area. Anyone have a suggestion for some other protected, tucked in spot for a small, but bright LED backup light(s)?
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2015
    ChadsPride likes this.
  10. Jun 27, 2015 at 10:26 AM
    #10
    Jefes Taco

    Jefes Taco Well-Known Member

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    I needed to get mine out of the way quickly and I planned on going back and doing it "right". But, I just removed mine and then zip tied it to one of the wiring harness' pictured in your pic. I don't think I'm gonna change anything. It works great and only cost me a zip tie. :D
     
    06Tacooo and Asauger like this.
  11. Dec 15, 2016 at 4:20 AM
    #11
    06Tacooo

    06Tacooo Earth Czar

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    I replaced my rust rotted '06 bumper/hitch with a newer one off a '15 last spring. I replaced the original trailer plug/bracket in the same place, and added two tire valves to it. Perfect for my Ride-Rites.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2018
  12. Jan 16, 2017 at 10:05 PM
    #12
    Bruce988jl

    Bruce988jl Well-Known Member

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    Looks good - I did something similar with mine but needed a 4pin for my smaller trailer so I got rid of the oem plus (I smashed it on a rock off roading anyways) and made this.This is a just a quick solution, the plan is to finalize my swing down setup for the spring time. (Dont mind the very rough cad design...)

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