Forum Discussion

DallasSteve's avatar
DallasSteve
Nomad
Mar 17, 2023

Ford F-250 Brake Controller Install

I have a 2022 Ford F-250 and a Jayco trailer with electric brakes. I've been researching electric brakes for trailers and the brake controllers. The consensus here seems to be that Original Equipment is preferable to after market controllers. I agree at this point. I called my selling dealer's service department and they said they don't do that and I should call Joe's Trailer (not the real name). I called my salesman and he was too busy doing his taxes to help. True story. I checked another Ford dealer here and they want $600 to install it. Just terrible service all over for Ford.

I found an original controller from a Ford dealer on eBay for $240. I found another that looks almost identical, but it's a little different in shape of the knobs for only $60. I see videos of how to install it. I think I can install it, if the harness is there when I open it up. I'm not sure I can get the dash back together perfect. And I don't know how to program the computer to get the truck to recognize the controller. Do you think a local mechanic can program the Ford computer? I'm thinking of buying one of the controllers on eBay. Would you buy the more expensive one from the Ford dealer? I'm thinking I could take it apart, hook it up, try to put the dash back together then get a local mechanic to program the computer and help clean up the dash, if I don't get it all correct.

Suggestions?

Update: I'm leaning towards buying the $240 Ford part, installing it myself, then asking the local dealer service shop how much they charge to set the program. If it's $100 or less I'll pay them. If not, I may check the local shops. I think the $240 model may be a proportional controller and the $60 versions may be time delayed controllers. I notice on eTrailer that's about the price range for those controllers and I want a proportional controller.
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  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 18, 2023
    Grit dog wrote:
    ^So you’re saying the new Fords that don’t come with an IBC don’t come with an adapter and are no longer plug and play?
    That’s horrible. Installing a brake controller in every brand of truck for the last 20+ years has been a snap.

    My recommendation was considering that the OP does not appear equipped to do any sort of moderately involved work. And traditionally, adding an aftermarket brake controller was about as easy as falling off a log with no calks.


    Not what I'm saying, didn't mean to stutter.

    To clarify...IDK if OPs truck came with the OEM adapter, but I think it is likely. The OP would have to do same dash disassembly with either BC, in order to access the OEM port/plug. While the IBC module/controller attaches right to the waiting plug, the P3 would require using the Ford adapter, which will likely be 4 simple splices to the P3.

    The IBC just pushes into opening, snaps in, done. The P3 needs locating best spot, drill a couple holes, keeping level side/side. Either install easy, but the IBC, just a bit easier, other than going to dealer for flash.

    OP said cost not an issue. Personally, I would always spend more for factory setup, that comes with some advantages.

    Jerry
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Mar 18, 2023
    My 21 F350 is capable of towing 18,000 lbs, but like Steve’s, didn’t come with a brake controller. Dealer wanted $300 for the controller and $100 to install. Bought a $40 Ebay and had the dealer install for the $100. Works well.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 17, 2023
    Groover wrote:
    The factory controller has the ability to access vehicle stability information and take steps to control an unstable trailer. That could be a life saver.

    You need to be aware that the factor controller (at least in my 2016) model turns off the brakes below about 3mph, presumably to prevent burning up the brake actuators. There will be times that you don't want that to happen and you should keep a hand on the manual override. Example: coming down a steep gravel drive and trying to make a sharp turn onto a gravel road. I nearly got pushed off the side of a mountain once. It took me a while to figure out why. Any stop on a steep hill while towing heavy can be a challenge. In my case I am towing a trailer about twice as heavy as the truck.



    Good info, concerning the OEM IBC no longer braking as you approach a full stop. I do think mine stops braking at more like 6-8 mph, rather than 3 mph. Good that the OP understands this, does not think his is not working correctly.

    I also use the manual levers at times, slowing to stop, just saves a little on truck brakes, but not truly necessary, especially with trailers under 10K.

    Jerry
  • DallasSteve's avatar
    DallasSteve
    Nomad
    Mar 17, 2023
    Thanks for all the replies. Or almost all of the replies. :)

    I called my local Ford dealer and they had the part in stock. It cost me $223 plus tax, which was a little cheaper than eBay. I then walked over to service and they said they will install and program it for $275. I made an appointment for a week from now. I may take a look at opening up the dashboard and install it. But I would still need to pay someone to activate it. I don't think I would mess with the computer myself, although I have read about the Forscan program. Maybe if there's a video that shows me how easy it is to do the Forscan adjustment, I might change my mind. They would probably charge me $100 to program the computer so for an extra $175 I may just pay them to save me the work and risk of messing it up. It looks like I'm going to die with money in the bank anyway.

    The reason I said that OEM seems to be preferable over after market even though I have no experience to back up my opinion is because I read another thread in this forum while doing research and it seemed that was the majority opinion in that thread. Add to that the fact that most after market controllers need to drill holes into the dash board and my vote is to go with the original control which mounts seamlessly into the dashboard.
  • Groover's avatar
    Groover
    Explorer II
    Mar 17, 2023
    The factory controller has the ability to access vehicle stability information and take steps to control an unstable trailer. That could be a life saver.

    You need to be aware that the factor controller (at least in my 2016) model turns off the brakes below about 3mph, presumably to prevent burning up the brake actuators. There will be times that you don't want that to happen and you should keep a hand on the manual override. Example: coming down a steep gravel drive and trying to make a sharp turn onto a gravel road. I nearly got pushed off the side of a mountain once. It took me a while to figure out why. Any stop on a steep hill while towing heavy can be a challenge. In my case I am towing a trailer about twice as heavy as the truck.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Mar 17, 2023
    Dadoffourgirls wrote:
    I would just purchase a Prodigy P3 and not mess with attempting to install an electronic component after assembly on a highly integrated vehicle.


    ^This.
    Your advice is sound from someone who is obviously a qualified mechanic.
    This advice is doubly so for the OP.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Mar 17, 2023
    Mike134 wrote:
    I also lurk on a Ford website. DO NOT buy the cheap knockoff controller on ebay. There have been 10-12 posts on the Ford forum and all have trouble with the cheap **** working properly. When they bought a real OEM controller all the communication issues went away.
    If your PC savvy there is a free program called Forscan that allows you to program in the new controller.
    Just an FYI using the OEM controller allows your ABS unit to coordinate braking with the trailer in panic stops.


    Really? Forscan viewer is free. I find it hard to believe the advertised Forscan and Forscan lite can be had for free.
    And you gotta buy a MXII or similar obd link. Not a big deal but I’m genuinely interested in what you said as it makes no sense that FoMoCo would release their software for free. They didn’t used to and afaik no other mfgs do either.
    Less than 10 years ago I had to buy licenses or acquire a licensed software version already downloaded to do anything to any of the big 3 trucks in my fleet.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Mar 17, 2023
    ^So you’re saying the new Fords that don’t come with an IBC don’t come with an adapter and are no longer plug and play?
    That’s horrible. Installing a brake controller in every brand of truck for the last 20+ years has been a snap.

    My recommendation was considering that the OP does not appear equipped to do any sort of moderately involved work. And traditionally, adding an aftermarket brake controller was about as easy as falling off a log with no calks.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 17, 2023
    Steve..after watching a Ford IBC install video, that is what I'd do. It looks like you need to do same disassembly, no matter which controller you choose. The aftermarket would be more work, needing some easy wire splicing, and drilling to mount to dash.

    The OEM Ford connects direct to waiting plug. It does require the flash to activate, which may require a more savvy geek than me?? Any shop that has done this installation flash, could do yours as well. You may feel confident to do it yourself, using your own puter.

    This is the video I watched, which was a qualified Ford tech, used to doing this install. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IPGOFKehzk

    Hope this helps,

    Jerry
  • Mike134's avatar
    Mike134
    Explorer
    Mar 17, 2023
    I also lurk on a Ford website. DO NOT buy the cheap knockoff controller on ebay. There have been 10-12 posts on the Ford forum and all have trouble with the cheap **** working properly. When they bought a real OEM controller all the communication issues went away.
    If your PC savvy there is a free program called Forscan that allows you to program in the new controller.
    Just an FYI using the OEM controller allows your ABS unit to coordinate braking with the trailer in panic stops.

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