Electric Brake Controller

[tripstowin]

Hello everybody,

We just got a 2009 GX470, it is set up with the trailer towing options and I would like to put in an electric brake controller. Does any body know the location of the prewired plug in under the front drivers side.

Thanks :)

[tripstowin]

I found the factory plug end.

[Jaxs]

It's under the dash in the wiring harness attach to the steering wheel, you have to

Take off the panel under the steering wheel. It's wrapped tightly. It's a white plug.

It's tough to find it.

[ToolRod]

Glad you found the plug. I also tow a electric brake trailer with my GX470. I mounted the "Prodigy" controller to a replacement (2nd) ashtray that I bought for the purpose. So when I tow, I swap out the factory ash tray with my modified ash tray with the Prodigy controller. That way, I don't have to leave the electric controller in my nice GX all the time. And I did not have to drill holes in the nice dash panels. I think the replacement ash tray cost about $30. The car tows up to the limit with no issues at all. I do leave the gear selector in "4" instead of "D" like the manual recommends. Also, I am trying to determine a good Transmission Fluid change interval since I do tow occaisionally.

[Blackhorse]

ToolRod, any chance you could send a picture of how you mounted your controller in the extra ash tray? I have a 2007 GX470 and need to mount my controller. This looks like a great spot for it.

Thanks much.

Blackhorse

[ToolRod]

Blackhorse. No problem my friend. I have taken several photos and will try to post. Briefly here was the process. Buy a second ashtray for about $35. The gently pry the faceplate off of the tray which was fairly easy because it has plastic "keepers" that can gently be pryed loose. Then use some good screws (it is a Lexus you know) to hold your controler's mount to this new, and removed faceplate. Then snap the faceplate back on the new ashtray's main carraige assembly. Then you are essentially done.

As for wiring, remove the trim panel just above your feet and find the factory prewire. On mine it was nicely taped up under the dash. I believe I used the "E-Trailer.com" adapter wire which fit perfectly. Then I routed the wire towards the console and let it peek out just to the right of the driver's seat.

Then, with the assembly complete, I keep this "second ashtray" and the brake controler in the rear storage area of the car behind the storage panel. When I want to tow, I get the wire out, feed it through the controller's custom mount and plug it into my Prodigy. Then put the modified ashtray into the dash. The brake controller is in plain sight and just in front of my right hand. Also, if you need to have more convenient access to the brake controller, just tap the ashtray and the smooth Lexus operation extends it about 2 or 3 inches closer to your hand for calibration and manual operation of the controls. I have had this operational for about 5 years and it has been a great place for it to be. And if I ever sell the car all I have to do is make sure the original ashtray is installed and my wire is disconnected and I have NOT damaged my dashboard at all.

By the way, I am not yet successful at putting these photos in the post. If you will tell me how to post them I'll get them up. Otherwise I hope my description will work for you.

Good Luck

[Blackhorse]

ToolRod, thank you ever so much for your reply. I do appreciate it.

Being sort of a visual person I would like to see pictures of the ashtray.

I am wondering if you just picked up a ashtray from the Lexus dealer, or
found some aftermarket one. I bought a Prodigy P2 controller. It is a
tight fit in the ashtray slot with the ashtray removed. Doesn't seem
possible to put it in the actual ashtray. Maybe my Prodigy P2 is a
little fatter they the unit you used.

I did manage to find the plug under the dash-that only took me a couple of hours.

Again, thank you.

I have not put pictures up either. Other members, how do we attached pictures to our posts? Thank you.

[Blackhorse]

[Blackhorse]

ToolRod, do you see the picture I posted of my former MGB GT Special?

[ToolRod]

yes, the very nice MG came through. How do I upload JPG photos?

[Blackhorse]

ToolRod, start by clinking on post reply is lower right.

Then click on More Reply Options is lover right.

Then click on Attrach File in lower left. Then find pictures on your computer, attach, and eventuallyl send. Thats what I did with the picture I sent you.

Thank you.

[ToolRod]

Blackhorse, yep, I bought the second ashtray at the Lexus Dealership for about $35. With the two Ashtrays, I can install the original unmodified for 99% of my driving but can swap out in about 1 minute when I need to tow my electric-brake equipped trailer.

Here are the photos:

[ToolRod]

Blackhorse, as you can see, I used a Prodigy Controller which operates excellently. I screwed the Prodigy's bracket (via the top of the bracket) to the newer ashtray with only 2 screws. The controler is in plain sight with superb access tot he buttons and knobs while being used and then when not needed I just swap back to the original ashtray and the Prodigy and modified ashtray ride in the rear side storage compartment of the GX.

Good Luck

[Blackhorse]

ToolRod, my thanks to you for your help. I appreciate your pictures and look forward to towing with this set up. Hopefully it will stop snowing so I can get out into the garage and complete this project. Again, thank you so much. Best regards!

[Hey Man]

hmmmm... I just purchased a P3 and it states the controller needs to be horizontal and parallel to the direction of travel. So mounting on the ashtray is out for me. Any other ideas??? The conventional recommended install for controllers is to the right of the steering wheel at the bottom of the dash, but that is right above the gas pedal as there is not enough room as I would be hitting it during driving. It does slide into the ash tray tightly, anybody else do it this way. It might fit under left side of the bottom dash just above the left foot rest, but it seems anywhere below the dash is a tight fit.

[ToolRod]

Hey Michael, My controller is a Tekonsha P2 which allows mounting at most any angle from vertical to horizontal, along the primary travel axis of the car and not tilted sideways. The P2 controls my trailer brakes extremely well at the angle of the unit's top connected to the ashtray face as shown in the photo.

I figured the P3 would be at least this good so I took a look at the Tekonsha site and called up the PDF with the installation specifications on the P3 for you. Take a look at that source and you can see the specifications call for the P3 unit to be mounted in any orientation of 0-360 degrees. Just not sideways. So I think you will be just fine mounting it at the angle that corresponds to the angle of the ashtray face. Attached to the ashtray face required no drilling in the permanent panels of the dashboard and also makes the controls very convenient to access.

If you would like confirmation from a more experienced source, you may want to give e-Trailer or Tekonsha a call. But I could not be more satisfied with the operation of the P2 at the angle of the dash.

One note about my installation...I tow approximately once every few months so I preferred to not leave the controller permanently in sight on my dash. That is why the "removable ashtray" option was my preferred method. If you want to make a permanent install, you may want to select a different location to minimize the wireing visibility and unit's prominent placement. But by putting it on the face of a removable second ashtray, the unit is in a very convenient location when used and completely gone when I am not towing. And it takes about a minute or two to swap the ashtrays when I need to tow or not. The spare ashtray fits either in the glove box, console, or rear right storage compartments.

Good luck!!

[Hey Man]

Thanks ToolRod,

You are right, the instructions were a little bit confusing as it one section that talks about being the P3 being horizontal, which I read as level to the ground instead of level side to side and parallel to the direction of the travel, being pointed forward. But it also says it can be turn from 0 to 360 degrees. I called Tekonsha just to make sure and it was as you described. This makes it a lot easier, thanks. I wish I had that clarified earlier as I mounted, assuming it needed to be as I thought, just to the left under fuel door release handle by drilling into the plastic panel below the steering column that you take off to get to the plug. Seems to a good spot, but not sure how stable it is there. I look at your setup as it would be easier to get to and also removable without a lot of work. Where did you connect the ground wire to? I am using the wire kit specifically made for the Toyota/Lexus and the ground wire is not a long wire.

[ToolRod]

Hey Michael, I'm glad the Tekonsha guys confirmed the info. With your mounting of that quality controller, I bet you will be very satisfied with the braking actions of your trailer. I do think the goal it to have a fairly "solid and stable" mount so that there is not vibration or oscillation of the controller while it is sensing the forces of the deceleration so it can generate the appropriate input to the brakes. However, I believe the decorative trim above the feet/or below the fuel and hood release is fairly solid. As long as you can see and set the controls you should be just fine.

As to where the ground went... I have slept one or twice since then and therefor I cant remember. Just grab a metal brace or screw, secure the wire, and you should be just fine.

Put a post in with a photo if you like. It will be great to give the next guys a few options of how to hook up a controller.

Best to you.

[Hey Man]

Here are the pics of where I installed the P3, its seems to be out of the way, but not as easy to adjust or read as where ToolRod's installed his P2. I gather as long as you don't have to adjust it on the fly and it sits there and does it's job, I guess it would work. Any thoughts? I am still not sure it's a good location. Thanks for any feedback.

[Hey Man]

ToolRod or anyone else know where I can get a used or new ashtray for $35 or so, the dealers in Dallas are asking $70.

Thanks

[Blackhorse]

HeyMan, ToolRod, I have been looking for another ashtray also. $50 to $70 dollars from the dealers. Kind of pricey. Perhaps a junk yard. I mounted my controller as you did ToolRod. I can slde out the controller when I want, while the plastic bracket stays attached. I will live with this for now. Maybe I will eventually come across a reasonably priced ashtray.

[Hey Man]

Update: I decided to mount the P3 to the fuse box cover, it seems to be within easy reach and you can read the screen. Plus the fuse box cover I assume would not be an expensive part if you want to replace it or remove it. Another option for those who are looking for a place to mount a brake controller.

[ToolRod]

Mounting downlow like Michael mounted his seems like a good option too. The type of trailer being towed might be a factor in choosing where to mount the controller. I tow a car hauler which goes from about 1,250 pounds empty to about 5,000 or 6,000 pounds depending on whether I am towing a car or my tractor on the trailer. So I do need the easy access to adjust the braking action of the trailer lest I either squeal tires or have less than adequate braking. I would prefer to have the controller down low if I were consistently towing a trailer that generally weighed the same each time I hitched up.

As for where to get the ashtray, I bought mine several years back (about 2009) at the local Lexus dealer. If memory serves it was about $30. I'd try online.

Now, I have a question for you guys. I would like to put the LED turn signal bulbs in the rear of the car. When I install them I get the hyper flash situation. I'd like to find a replacement flasher unit that will work with the LED bulbs. But no luck. Seems this GX flasher is a special one with more conductor pins on the connector than the standard Toyota units that are referenced at parts stores. Any ideas on where to get a flasher that is both compatable with the car and with the LED bulbs?

Another option is to put resistors at the bulb locations but I prefer to not tinker with the existing wiring if I can avoid it.

Thanks guys, ToolRod

[Blackhorse]

ToolRod, sorry but I cannot help you on LED issue. Have not done anything with light bulbs. Best regards.

[Hey Man]

Sorry ToolRod, no idea on the LED lights, hope you figure it out.