Cliffy needs help again!!!!!!

[cliffy]

I have a 95 Ford Explorer (No Jokes Please) that I want to get set up for pulling my little boat/trailer from lake to lake. I got everything in place but the trailer wiring. The vehicle did not come with a tow package...so I had to attach the hitch..blah..blah...blah...pretty easy up to this point. And yes I did check the tow rating and I am well with in specs.

A couple of people told me about the t-connectors that you can buy...that are suppose to go between the wiring in the rear. The problem is I have searched and searched for where this is suppose to go but I have not had any luck. The only connector I can find back under the rear bumper is the wiring for the lic. plate lights and it does not work in that position.

Does anyone know where I can find the connector? or any other suggestions.

Thanks

[Fisher Dave]

If you look under the truck and locate where the wires are coming from the front for your tail lamps .. the plug is usually within a short distance from that location(at back of vehicle). Many vehicles have a seperate plug for the license plate lights.

The T-connectors are conveinient, but if you use one I highly recommend replacing it every year or 2. I have had 2 of them short out in time.. one on a chevy pickup shorted when I was driving at night in a storm .. lost all my dash lights and it blew the brake lights on the truck ... my dash lights would only come on when I hit the brake pedal... the other instance was on a Ford Ranger which happened recently... I hit the brakes and smelled *hot electrical components*(many of us know the smell)...

Turned out there was a dead short at the T connecter and as soon as I applied the brake the brake light switch and the wires leading to/away from it under my steering column melted down and started on fire.. luckily, it didnt damage anything else.

My luck is often worse than most others .. A T-connector will probably last you the life of your truck... personally .. I will only direct wire trailer lights now.

[cliffy]

Thanks for the info....I guess I will have to take another look. THe one connector that I located was directly below the rear driver's side brake light area....this was the one that went to the lic. plate lights. I was hoping this would be easier but I have a way of making the easy look soooooooo hard!!!

[JohnMickish]

I used to have a '91 (only got 192,000 miles out of that one) which is the same body as your '95. The T-connector is located inside the left rear compartment where your jack and handle are locater.

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It still beats workin'

[cliffy]

I will have to take a look in there...but I am pretty sure the 95 was the year the changed the body styles...mine isnt the old boxy front end style....but thank you for the info and I will double check that spot.

[JohnMickish]

Your right about the body, it's more rounded. I should have said same chassis. Anyways, thats where it was on mine. Let me know where you find it.

[cliffy]

Thanks for the info...I have not had a chance to check that spot yet....wife had another list of things for me to do this weeknd. However, if I find that it is in that spot, how do you run the wires..??..is there an opening or something? Plus, the connector thingy I bought only had about 2 1/2 feet of wire....is there some type of special kit or something. Again, thanks for the info.

[cliffy]

Well, I opened the storage area that contains the jack..etc and all I see is a little square box with a bunch of wires connected to it. I disconnected the wire plug and there is no way my T contector would work with it. Also found out that the theft detection system works just fine....darn horn went off when I tried to start it with the conection off. I also pulled out the tail lights and didnt see a way to hook up.

Is there some specail connection thingy I have to buy to hook up to that square box or how do you do this? Thanks.

[Guest]

I had a '95 explorer and the wiring was inside of the left rear compartment with the jack.

[cliffy]

Just FYI

I went back to "Checker" and returned the T connector thingy. I spoke with another employee that seemed to know what he was talking about. He said the 95 explorer does not use the T connection.....but some other type of "Kit". They didnt have one but gave me a couple of suggestions where I could find it. The only problem is that its 70.00!