love2tow
Northern Illinois
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Still in shock after speaking to the local Ford Dealers regarding the installation of an integrated Brake Controller. One dealer want's $250 for the controller and $300 for the Install. The other Dealer wants $389 for the controller and are going to get back to me on the install.
Also looked up the Prodigy p3 break controller. I could do that one myself for around $150. Install looks easy as it appears to be plug and play.
Am I missing something big here? Is there really that big of an advantage to the integrated brake controller?
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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From what I have read most people love the integrated controllers. For the price they want for them I would pass and get a Prodigy and go down the road.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All 
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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This is copied from the F1500nline forum. I've had the Prdigy2 in an 08 F150 and have the built in TBC on my 2010 F150. The built in is fantastic. It came with the truck, so I can't comment on the install. But after reading the below copied write up it looks fairly simple. Maybe easier than a Prodgy. At least you don't have to drill holes in your new truck. The factory TBC is as easy to use as shifting from P to D. Just set it and forget it. Plus it looks clean.
It is really easy to install if you don't have the flow thru console. Here is how I did it on my 2010 SCREW. Also be aware that the controller p/n is different between the 2009 and the 2010, so be sure you bought the right one.
1. Grasp the bottom of the silver trim piece that surrounds the coin slot.
2. Gently pull to release the snaps along the right side of the trim. Work your way up from the bottom. Tilt this piece at a slight angle to the instrument surround and it will slip right out.
3. Remove the coin holder and keep the screws.
4.The harness is tapped to a support back behind the dash, you may have to release a clip to allow it to extend far enough to engage with the controller. There is a cap on the plug end, so remove and discard it before plugging it in.
5. Install harness into back of controller till it snaps in place.
6. Screw controller in place using coin holder screws.
7. Wiggle trim piece back in place and push firmly to engage snaps.
8. Go to dealer and have them initialize the controller with the computer (it will not work until this is done). Some dealers will do this for free, but mine charged me $50 for the service....kinda steep for a 10 minute computer program adjustment!
9. Go tow something and test it out.
As stated before this is a 5-10 minute job to install; however, if you have the flow thru console it requires more stuff to be removed per the Ford instructions.
I have used mine and am very pleased with the smooth and progressive brake application on the trailer.
Heres one on Ebay for way cheaper. The dealers are going to be overpriced. Tasca sells tons of OEM Ford, Lincoln and Mercury parts.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-TBCM-TRA........tors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
* This post was
edited 06/18/12 11:10am by goducks10 *
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love2tow
Northern Illinois
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That doesn't sound too bad. I will look into that this evening. I just don't know where they get off charging that much. And, why is there a $130 price difference (On just the controller) between two dealers that are 8 miles apart.
Thank you for your help.
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APT
SE Michigan
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Joined: 06/09/2010
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I agree with goducks10. There are some benefits to an OEM controller, looks and performance. The parts should be $125-225 and you probably need a dealer to enable it via, charging $0 to 1 hour of labor.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2012 VW Passat TDI
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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FWIW, I just went out to my 2010 and pulled the silver trim piece off. Just grab it on the bottom, gently pull it outwards and up, it will work it's self off upwards. Took about 30sec. There are 2 hex head sheet metal screws holding the TBC in. Looks like plug n play. Good luck.
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love2tow
Northern Illinois
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Wow, thanks a lot. I will start playing with it tonight and order up the parts.
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whiney_wright
ohio
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My experience.
I purchased a slightly used 2010 F150 SCREW late last year which came with the factory tow package but no integrated break controller. I was in the same situation as yourself and saw answers all over the spectrum re price and ease of installation. After doing some online reading both here and in the F150 forums I did the following:
Keep in mind there are two seperate break controllers - I cannot remember the year of the split (I think it was at some point during either the 2009 or middle of the 2010 production cycle). The earlier controller is more costly and has a digital readout on the controller itself - the later is a simple controller that uses the DashBoard control center to display the TBC info. I believe the earlier controller is more expensive. My truck was after the split date (determined by VIN). so was less expensive.
After deciding to do the job myself I looked on line and found the price all over the place. The cheapest and most recomended place to order from was Tascaparts.com - which is what I decided to do in the end. I figured I'd order the part, install it myself and have my ford dealer (which just happens to be Tasca in Warwick RI) enable the controller via the trucks computer. I think I paid about $200 for the controller online via tasca parts (maybe a little less). Just to be curious, before I ordered the part I stopped at tasca and asked at the parts department what the cost would be - believe it or not they wanted around $300 for the part at the brick and morter (and had trouble figuring out which controller I would need). Even after I told them about their own online store's pricing - to which the parts guy said it happens all the time. LOL!
anyway, after I got the part I had tasca install it after deciding that if I was going to have them enable it I might as well have a qualified techy rip the dash apart. I think the whole install only cost me $100 or so (It wasn't even a full hour labor charge). So out the door for $300 and I have the factory break controller - which is great by the way. When you think about it - that is about what ford charges for the option new - makes no sense for it to be much more than that in any case.
Hope this helps.
Eric
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whiney_wright
ohio
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For further followup. I went back though my emails this is the part number I ordered for the break controller that uses the Dash as it's display point:
AL3Z19H332AA
here is the invoice of what I paid for anyone if it helps argue a price down for your own dealerships:
Items Ordered:
Item: 2010 trailer brake control accessory kit
Price: $169.40
Tax: $11.86
Qty: 1
Total: $181.26
-----------------------------
Items Total: $181.26
Shipping: $15.25
Handling Fee: $0.00
Order Total: $196.51
We recommend that you print a copy of this email for your records.
To view the status of your order, go to:
http://www.TascaParts.com , and click on Order Status.
And for the record - I have no clue why this shows me from "Ohio" in my profile. Anyone know how you can change that?
Thanks,
Eric
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love2tow
Northern Illinois
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That really helps. I was actually trying to determine what the part number was. Thanks. I will order it tonight. Did you need any other items or did it come with everything you needed? Thanks again,
Mark
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