upfitter switch and tow command

[dieselpilot]

OK, this may not be the right location for this question but the trailer towing forum is a little quiet.

My 05 F350 has the tow package, flat pin and seven wire connector at the rear but it didn't come with the intregated brake controller. The build date was Oct 04. I do have the pig tail for an aftermarket controller in the glove box and I did find the connector in back of the little box below the radio.

From reading in the forum it would appear that non equipped F350s can be dealer fitted with the TBC but may require a replacement of the master cylinder. I would also install the upfitter switches to set up fast idle etc. Wiring doesn't faze me.

Anyway, when I asked my dealer if he would cut me a favourable price the sevice manager said he would pay 50%, Wow.

Two questions.
Is there an easy way to determine if my master cylinder is the "right" one and if it is not does the dealer's offer of splitting the cost make this attractive enough to go with the FORD controller over my prodigy?

The controller is about 500 Canadian and I have no idea on the price of the master cylinder upgrade. No wonder they recommend that a dealer install the controller.

Cheers and many thanks for your help

 

[gunnar]

Hi Bryan,
I also looked into that and the dealer wanted about $750 cdn for it. For that price, I will stick with the prodigy. I was told it had to be programed once it is installed, hence the reson for dealer recommended install. The controler itself is simple to install. I am not to sure about the master cyclinder swap tho. To me, that sounds goofy. I could see having to swap the master cyclinder if the truck was not capable of the brake controler option. In any rate, if the dealer is willing to pay 50%, and you can get it for around $250 cdn, I would go for it. Go FLAMES!

Paul

 

[bushpilot]

programing ??? the thing works on brake pressure...the pulsing of the
"fluid" is what allows the trailer brakes to "work w/ the anti lock"

screw the dealers buy a BRAKESMART Controller been around
longer & works just like the factory controller...CHEAPER !

diesel pilot...tell the dealer to order the controller...that you
wanna see whats shipped w/ the controller and read the instructions
yourself (then youll see theres no master cyl. required)

the upfitter switches can be hand for 85 bucks on the net.

 

[dieselpilot]

I found this info that was why I was questioning the need for a possible master cylinder refit. Apparently my Ford dealer does sell the tow command as an add on option but I didn't know this info when I was inquiring so I didn't think to ask about a master cylinder refit. I was told the computer would have to be reconfigured to acknowledge the brake controller.

"Installing TowCommand on 05-07 F-Series:
There is now a kit available to install TowCommand trailer braking system on trucks that were not originally equiped at the factory. For diesel and all dual rear wheel applications use kit 5C3Z-19H332-BA. For gasoline trucks with single rear wheels use kit 5C3Z-19H332-AA. Broadcast Message 4065, 4643, 4937, 5883. If a TowCommand brake controller is dealer installed on an 05 truck, it may not work correctly unless a master cylinder with a brake pressure transducer is installed, and the instrument cluster reconfigured to recognize the TowCommand. Broadcast Message 4642, 4928."

Gunner, that $750.00 was also the original price I was quoted but when I asked if my organization recieved a discount I was requoted the $500.00 price.

Bushpilot
I do have a prodigy that does work very well however if I could get into the Ford controller for a reasonable price I would prefer that for a number of reasons, largely it's a preference to use factory equipment whenever possible, even if it doesn't make the most financial sense. But I do appreaciate the info on the brake smart controller, I hadn't known about that at all.
Cheers

 

[bushpilot]

Bryan I find it extreamly hard to believe theyre building TWO
master cylinders for the superduty's.

look at the install documentation for the brakesmart and see how
its T'd off the master cylinder to a pressure sensor...i cant imagine
that fords doin' it any differently.

ill be seeking out a towcommand equip'd truck to compare the
under hood master cylinder...

call around to the online parts sellers, 1 youre bound to get a
better deal & 2 confirm what your dealer is saying...

ive heard of others installing the tow command themselves, along
w/ the upfitter switched and ive never heard anyone mention
reprogramming of the dash or changing out the master cyl.

remember too that early on dealers were saying the controller
and switches couldnt NOT be added to the truck if the truck
wasnt built w/ it...wasnt long before the online part retailers
found the part numbers and posted 'em...

 

[powerboatr]

bushpilot
i dont think there is two master cylinders, however there could be, i think 05 and up all got the same one, minus a tapped port, the boss is there but not tapped,
but the tow command taps into the MC, in a location already drilled and threaded to get pressure readings just like the brakesmart,
and

and now its only 442 at pss
tow command

 

[bushpilot]

well there ya go better info and CHEAPER still
i cant imagine anyone selling this on line if "the dash" needed
to be programed for it...but someone (more interested than i)
should call those guys and ask 'em !

i bet you could use the pressure valve from brakesmart too

 

[powerboatr]

well there ya go better info and CHEAPER still
i cant imagine anyone selling this on line if "the dash" needed
to be programed for it...but someone (more interested than i)
should call those guys and ask 'em !

i bet you could use the pressure valve from brakesmart too

dash programming would be easy just a quick trip to the ford dealer
and BAm a bit of essence and its all good, bet they stick you for 80 bucks to do it..
or roll in and say my tbc is not working and let em figure it out

 

[bushpilot]

dash programming would be easy just a quick trip to the ford dealer
and BAm a bit of essence and its all good, bet they stick you for 80 bucks to do it..
or roll in and say my tbc is not working and let em figure it out

what the hell do they need to program ??? sorry but these
dealers play the old "FUD" (fear, uncertainty & doubt) game
in order to get business...

in the industry its called "average ticket price"...whens the
last time you took a car in to have one thing done & been called
back to hear that youve got x number of other things wrong that
"really should be fixed"...

 

[Scot]

I would just use this as an excuse to get a brand spanking new truck!!!!
I'm a sucker for the new truck smell!!!