Flat Towing A 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

[Doug Patton]

I'm in the process of equipping my 2008 Sport Trac for flat towing and have scheduled an appointment with my Ford dealer to re-program the control module for the transfer case for placing it in neutral position. The problem is the only neutral tow switch available seems to be one without the LED which indicates that the transfer case is actually in the neutral position. Anyone out there have any idea where I can find Ford part number 1L2Z-7H332-AB or how to convert the Motorcraft part number 29005-05245927 (which is identified as neutral tow switch connector but has no LED) into a neutral tow switch with LED)

 

[Decuct CoCo]

sadly local dealer has no idea what I am talking about when inquiring about reprogramming my 2008 Sport Trac transfer case for flat towing even after presenting ford documentation to service writer..

I made my own LED indicator using 3 in series LEDs and 220 ohm 1/4 watt resistor designed to work with up to 14.5 volt alternator output.. Green LED connector can be found taped to wire harness above emergency brake peddle..


PDF files contain installation instructions for each application V6 or V8..

1L2Z-7H332-AB is the part # for 4.0L V6 Sport Trac
View attachment Explorer_Neutral_Tow_Kit.pdf


6L2Z-7H332-A is 4.6L V8 part # which also included a micro-switch that was pressed by shifter shaft when placed in neutral.. a manually switched toggle switch can be substituted..
View attachment sk-6l2j-7h332-ab-all.pdf


I've included the operation placards that were part of each kit and attached to top of sun visor during dealer installation
Neither kit has been available for years

Part # 3L2Z-7H332-AA listed in technical service bulletin is the 2007-2010 Ranger LED indicator lamp..
View attachment a3bf719e-50e7-42fa-be86-dab34bfb92e5_2007_exp_tsb.pdf

 

[Doug Patton]

Good Information

I had found the installation instructions for the neutral tow indicator from another thread. I have found a Ford service tec who will install the indicator and reprogram the transfer case control module but have failed to find the "tow switch with the indicator LED. Not being very savvy about electrical issues, my concern is the indicator LED and how to make one and how to attach it to the "pig tail" that is supposed to be at the location identified in the above mentioned installation instructions. Is there a difference between the one for the V6 and the one for the V8 (other than part number)?

 

[Decuct CoCo]

sk-6l2j-7h332-ab-all.pdf above shows the micro-switch install and electrical connection in center column and separate LED installation onto panel below steering wheel..
instead of micro-switch a simple toggle switch can be substituted but you would have to flip the switch manually when trans placed in neutral..

The micro-switch is used only on the 4.6L V8 Sport Trac
my 4.0L V6 doesn't use the micro-switch

(3) 5mm white LEDs chained together positive to negative with attached 220 ohm 1/4 watt is all you need for indicator..
I used 3 LEDs as I had the nifty 3 led printed circuit boards


You could use a single LED but would have to use 550 ohm 1/4 watt resistor in series..

 

[Doug Patton]

2008 Sport Trac Flat Tow Electrical Hookup

I assume you cut off the female receiver plug and direct wire the line with the LED resistor to the two cut off wires? Is that correct?

 

[Decuct CoCo]

I suppose you could cut off the connector..
Prefer to not damage oem wiring any more than I have to, have a collection of old tap connectors i've used..
I'm so accustomed to DIY building stuff I never considered buying dash indicator/pilot LED lamp.
While checking, searched for 12v-24v versions that are designed to survive higher alternator output voltage..
Found a nice assortment for less than $10 that I would had gone with had I not already built my own.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LDCQR9D

 

[Doug Patton]

2008 Sport Trac Flat Towing

I have been looking on Amazon and found the same LED indicators. I'm not electrical savvy, as I said before. Would these still require the 550 ohm 1/4 watt resistor? If so would that resistor just be soldered in line? Which wire, or does it matter, would the resistor have to be placed in? Does your "collection" include the male connector that would fit the female plug connector that is supposed to exist under the steering column? Would you be willing to make one for me? I would be happy to pay you for your time and parts? Just trying to get this Sport Trac set up to be able to flat tow. Once I accomplish that I will order base plate and breaking system for it. Thanks for all your time and input in trying to help me.
Doug

 

[Decuct CoCo]

They are good to go as is,, Internally they must have resistor & circuitry for dual voltage usage..
Complaints seem to be they are dim..

I've used 12-24v LEDs for lighting inside another RV for years that replaced 18" T8 florescent tube fixtures..

 

[Doug Patton]

2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac flat towing

Thank you for your help. Any suggestions where I can obtain the male ford pigtail connector for plug and play into the wiring harness that is supposed to be under the steering column?

 

[Decuct CoCo]

You might try:
https://findpigtails.com/connectors/2-pin

I'd have to crawl under dash to see exactly what Ford installed..
I've used tap connectors as found at Lowes and elsewhere.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-Assorted-Multiple-Colors-Finishes-10-Count/5014057433

 

[grtharris]

Doug Patton, here are some drawing that should help.
The pigtail kit number is WPT-1163
Here is a link to a 12VDC red led:
https://www.amazon.com/AMRB-8171-Bl...lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A6AY1HFZHO49U

 

[Doug Patton]

Thank you so much for the information you provided it is extremely helpful. Will the pigtail provided in your post plug into the green pigtail that is supposed to be under the steering column? I spent several hours looking under the steering wheel housing for the neutral tow connector with no success but I will try again tomorrow using the information you provided.

 

[grtharris]

Doug Patton, Yes that is the Ford part number for the pigtail too plug into the connector near the steering column.

 

[Doug Patton]

Using the information you provided I have located the pictures female electrical connector in the location identified. It doesn't appear to be the same type connector as the WPT-1163 but it is the only "open" connector in that location. Can you tell from the picture if this is the neutral tow switch connector for the WPT-1163 pigtail?

 

[grtharris]

Doug Patton, that looks like the brake controller plug. Everything I can find shows the neutral tow connector to be two pins. Do you have a V6 or V8?

 

[Doug Patton]

I have the 4.0L V6. Hope that helps. Bi didn't think it looked like the plug on the connector I ordered. Guess tomorrow will bring another day under the dash for me. I'm sure it's there and I just got the one Sport Trac that the assembly personnel decided to have some fun and really hid it.

 

[grtharris]

Doug Patton, here is a picture of the trailer brake plug which I'm sure s the one you found. This pictures are from the engine compartment looking looking back.
From the other picture looks like the tow light plug is higher up from the brake controller plug.

 

[Doug Patton]

After dash dissembly, standing on my head and a box of bandaids I believe I have found the plug for the neutral tow switch connector. Now the connector (WPT-1163) appears to have four wires (based on picture - it hasn't arrived yet) which one do I select to "splice" in the LED indicator? Or does it make any difference?

 

[grtharris]

Doug Patton, I would go with the red (+) wire on pin 1 and black or yellow (-) wire on pin 2. It will not hurt the led if you wire it backwards it just will not light.

 

[Doug Patton]

I wanted to post the current status of my quest to install a "neutral tow switch" and program the transfer case control module in my 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Finally received the WPT-1163 neutral tow "connector" from Parts Geek. Only took 9 days to receive it after ordering it. Apparently it took a "road trip" on its own. Bottom line, this neutral tow connector has the same plug on it as the plug on the pig tail that comes taped up to the wiring harness under the dash from Ford. Fortunately Jackie Jones Ford of Sweetwater, TN was willing to cut the ends off both pigtails and "hard wire" the LED I had connected to the neutral tow connector to the wiring harness under the dash. So I now have a "neutral tow" indicator light that indicates when the transfer case is in the neutral tow position. The transfer case control module has been programed and I am ready to install the blue ox base plate and RVI braking system in the Sport Trac. I just want to thank everyone who has responded to my original post on this forum. Hand it not been for your help and suggestions I would not have been able to get this vehicle ready to flat tow. Thank you so much.