Adding 7 way socket to truck bed

[98whitelightnin]

I ordered a Curt 56071 but upon install, found my truck doesnt have any plugs. Ive put these in the bed of other dodge trucks in the past and its a simple plug and play.  Did some trucks not come with plugs? My truck came with trailer tow group and has the 7 way plug under the bumper but it looks like a universal style plug. I guess the po may have changed it out for some reason. Should I try to find a factory unit from a wrecking yard and then splice a plug into my harness? I really hate wiring and being color blind has never helped.

[015point9]

Might have what you what, not sure?

 

https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle/1998/Dodge/Ram+Pickup

Edited March 10, 2019 by 015point9
Edit for right year

[98whitelightnin]

Thats who I have purchased from in the past but mine came with trailer wiring, it just seems like there is no plug on the end like I think there should be.

Edited March 10, 2019 by 98whitelightnin

[Ed ke6bnl]

I bought the plug for the bed and it came with some cord and a TEE I had to purchase the other two plugs to attache it. I want the plug in the bed for the 5th wheel and the plug at the pull trailer receiver in the back. You could always splice the wires together. either way it turned out to be more work than I thought it would be...be sure to keep the plug in the bed low enough to have the plug to fit through, I did not and had to make a spacer for the bed side to have the plug cleared but looks like it was designed that way when I was done.

[IBMobile]

I bought just the socket and made my own wire harness.  I spliced into the existing harness  for the trailer socket at the rear bumper.   I soldered and sealed the connections for a permeant installation.  It a bit of work on your back but it can be a neat clean install.   

The smaller plug next to the 5th wheel plug is for a video camera I have in the back window of the trailer.

 

[98whitelightnin]

I don’t mind adding a plug to the end but I don’t want to start splicing into the harness. I can’t solder to save my life and wouldn’t trust my wiring capability out in the elements.

[trreed]

Old thread, but mine had a plug added to the bed in the style you have.  It was spliced into the OE harness by the spare tire, and used heat shrink butt connectors, tape, and wire loom.  I believe it was 'professionally' done, and only recently did I have issues with corrosion and broken wires.  So, I just did the same butt connectors, heat shrink, and tape.  The original lasted 18 years, so this should last the same I hope.

Edited April 11, 2019 by trreed

[Ed ke6bnl]

On 3/10/2019 at 5:27 PM, 98whitelightnin said:

I don’t mind adding a plug to the end but I don’t want to start splicing into the harness. I can’t solder to save my life and wouldn’t trust my wiring capability out in the elements.

some of the truck with a tow package had a plug that the 7 way goes to for the bumper and IF SO then you just can by the TEE for that plug with wires that goes to the bed

[98whitelightnin]

I actually picked up a plug and length of harness from the wrecking yard tuesday, I just need to know what colors do what. Thh donor truck was a 98 3/4 gas truck but the wiring colors are all different than mine. Im also color blind so it makes everything just that much more fun!

[Ed ke6bnl]

19 minutes ago, 98whitelightnin said:

I actually picked up a plug and length of harness from the wrecking yard tuesday, I just need to know what colors do what. Thh donor truck was a 98 3/4 gas truck but the wiring colors are all different than mine. Im also color blind so it makes everything just that much more fun!

try this there are more than one set of colors https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

[98whitelightnin]

I actually got all the wires on my truck end identified, its the piece I cut off the  other truck that doesnt match any of the diagrams ive seen.

This is the piece I cut off the other 98

[AH64ID]

What does the other end of those wires look like?

[98whitelightnin]

Its the plug for factory 7 pin hookup

[IBMobile]

Ohm test the wires to the terminals in the female receiver you got out of the junk yard, this will allow you to know what wire goes to what terminal.  You can make a diagram.  Then see how they correspond to the wires of the trailer and known wiring diagrams.  

In the past I've volt and ohm test the trailer plug to identify what each terminal in a plug is for.

[AH64ID]

2 hours ago, 98whitelightnin said:

Its the plug for factory 7 pin hookup

 

If the plug is attached you can find out what wire goes to what socket, and that will tell you what you need to know. 

[98whitelightnin]

The wires arent hooked up to anything. Ill check my grandpas truck out next time I see him.

[AH64ID]

15 hours ago, 98whitelightnin said:

The wires arent hooked up to anything. Ill check my grandpas truck out next time I see him.

 

Im not following. Isn’t there a 7-way plug on the other end? 

[98whitelightnin]

[AH64ID]

Do you have a volt meter?

 

If so you can connect the two of those and find out what pin goes where. Then use do the same when you cut the other connector off. 

[98whitelightnin]

Thanks AH64ID!! Yes, I have a voltmeter and I got the wires all marked now.