Trailer Wiring Harness

commostud · 06-21-09, 05:55 PM

Does a 96 80 series have a factory trailer wiring harness setup under the body near the rear of the vehicle? I am getting ready to wire up a trailer wiring harness, but I would like to use a factory wiring harness if possible.

jeremy000 · 06-21-09, 06:20 PM

4 pin only. If you want brakes/7pin it will have to be custom.

Atlanta Cruiser · 06-21-09, 07:41 PM

Find a specialty hitch shop and go there. Many auto shops will do a s****y job that will screw with you tail lights. A shop that only deals with hitches will many times charge less and do a much better job.

Brentbba · 06-22-09, 07:34 AM

Start with a Hoppy plug and play. Runs less than $50 and plugs right into your wiring harness at the rear tail lights inside the truck behind the panels. NO wire cutting and splicing! From there a decent trailer place can set you up with the rest to get you to a 7-pin if you need it.

citadel · 07-04-09, 07:36 AM

what is a Hoppy Plug and Play?

Brentbba · 07-04-09, 10:02 AM

Hoppy is the brand - you just plug it in to the molex connectors at the brake lights, route the 4-pin thru the grommet under the PS rear quarter panel...and play.

Fitzer · 07-04-09, 11:44 AM

That "Hoppy" brand is the way to go for a standard harness. When I went to rent a u-haul, I found out the existing harness didnt work....come to find out that the PO just shoved one in there to hang out by the hitch, but it wasnt connected to anything. Ended up getting the Hoppy (ordered online) and it plugs inline between existing plugs that exist by the tail lights (on both sides from what I remember). A single wire connects the two sides of the truck and I routed it under the back chrome scuff plate. I did use a narrow file and razor blade to cut a small notch out of the plastic trim pieces to avoid any pressure on the wire.

I wouldnt risk a having someone splice in some oddball brand, even u-haul. You may end up with one of the lights (brake, running, turn signal) not working properly has I have seen on a friends rig.

Good Luck!

citadel · 07-04-09, 12:51 PM

something like this....?

Toyota Trailer Wiring Kits - 1991-1998 Toyota Landcruiser - Trailer Wiring Kit

reconranger · 07-04-09, 12:56 PM

That's the one.

TomH · 07-04-09, 04:04 PM

The DrawTite 18357 will also work on the '97. Plugs in outside the truck so you don't have to pull the interior apart. Looks to be about half the price too.

NerdNoise · 07-05-09, 07:39 AM

I just installed one just the other day. Easiest mod so far. Don't bother with the ones where you have to cut and dice. Pay a little extra and get the plug and play. $45 at Auto Zone. Well worth it. Once you get that done (4 pin) go buy a 4 to 7 kit and hook that up. You will have to run 12V from the battery all the way back as well as to the dash for electric brakes. You can make that happen inside the cab and I would advise you to do so (leave as little wire outside).
Good luck.

shfd739 · 07-06-09, 07:48 PM

Where are yall tapping for brake signal for a controller? Ive got a Prodigy to wire up some point.

I ran the lights using a Heavy Duty Modulite box. Direct fuse protected from battery, just had to tap stop/tail/turn from the behind the rear driver panel.

1996LandCruiser · 07-06-09, 09:47 PM

I installed one of these a couple of weeks ago to replace my factory harness. The install was really easy. My -96 had plugs already in place under the car. Put a towel down, get on your back and look from the back of the truck. My connectors were really grimy but cleaned up well with some electrical spray. Other that finding a spot for the ground wire the Drawtite was plug and play.

jt