Remounting Stock 7 Pin Connector on 06' 350 - Diesel Forum

wrk24wheel · 04-16-2006, 11:18 PM

I have not seen anyone write about this and was wondering if I am the only one that has considered moving the stock connector attached to the hitch to the inside of the bed. I saw one post here where someone mounted a connector near the back of the bed by the tailgate. It looks as if there is enough slack to just move it up there. No splices or connections to go bad, just the factory harness. Has anyone done this?

2006KR · 04-17-2006, 04:40 PM

I would love to have a plug in the bed, so am very interested in this also. When I plug up my 5W, no matter how I jocky the cord around, it still ends up rubbing the tailgate. So far, I've just been able to put some wax on and cover the rubs, but one on these days, I have a feeling it will require paint.

Larry

wittmeba · 04-17-2006, 05:38 PM

Perhaps I can help. I didnt want splices in the factory wiring or holes in my truck bed.

Here is what I did.

Made an extension cord from 1 - male connector, 1 female connector and 5' of 7 conductor cable all from an RV store...about $22.00. I also used a small connector mounting plate $1.35 also from the RV store.

Mounted the plate on the area beside the tailgate (install the plug into the plate first to be sure you pick an area with enough space and allow for the cable bend). This plate mounts with 2 small sheet metal screws.
http://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmei...BedCloseUp.jpg

Lace the cable thru the factory hole near the upper bed rail approx 1" in dia - the hole looks like it has a pressed in grommet (on a 2001 F250 anyway...)
http://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmei...PlugInBedt.jpg

Use the plug at the bumper
http://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmei...nBedBumper.jpg

I just hold the wire in place with loose tie-wraps underneath where necessary.

I have been using this same extension cable since 2001 and never had a problem. The location makes it easy to connect to the trailer without hitching (like when the electrical or jacks are needed).

Not trying to steal customers, but there is lots of information about this and other related subjects here:
http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm

wrk24wheel · 04-17-2006, 10:32 PM

I too thought of this, but I did not want the cable sticking out like that. I have little room between the back of the 5ver and the bumper. That would either get broken off or I will get hurt, one of them is guaranteed to happen.

I even though about remounting the whole thing to the drivers side of the hitch and then using an extension cable.

Today I looked at moving the entire cable, but it looks as if it gets caught up into a larger loom as it enters the frame. I think that I will have to split the loom and pull out the necessary wires and re-loom or tape up the wires to fit. I just don't want to splice. I just wish that someone could come up with a T-connector that would plug in to the back of the current 7-way and tap off of it that way.

wittmeba · 04-18-2006, 05:07 PM

I know what you mean. I have backed into things mainly a hill of grass/dirt and bent the bracket. Good thing it isnt rigid or it would have broke.

I havent looked much at the connector, but could you turn the bracket with the connector 90 degrees (plug from side rather than rear) to reduce the problem?