![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
|
Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Guys -
I've got an '87 Chevy "R" truck (...same as an '86 C/K) that I need to wire for electric trailer brakes. Anybody know how to do that? I will be reusing my brake controller, which has seen a lot of use in newer (GMT800 and GMT900) style pickups, but have never done one this "vintage". Need to wire for a 7 pin round ("Airstream") style receptacle. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks - K ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,288
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
cant help you with the wiring issue but i will say i love that malibu in the pic.... can i be so nosy to ask the story about it and for more pics??
__________________
Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Thanks for the comment; basically it's my first car, been in the family since new, and I still have it.
Rather than retyping the whole story here, if you don't mind I'll redirect you to a little biography I wrote here: http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/199061/ The latest news is that we just finished up a photo shoot for Popular Hot Rodding yesterday, for publication in the near future. Thanks again for the comment - K |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Don't Crush em Restore em
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pinehurst, Texas
Posts: 764
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
http://www.easternmarine.com/em_stor...e_diagram.html
http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm I hope this helps, I just did it on my truck about a year ago.
__________________
TexasJeff 2009 Silver with Linen Interior Cadillac DTS 1990 Red with White Top and Interior Ford Mustang GT convertible 1998 Red with Gray Interior, C3500 Chevy Crew Cab Dually ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by TexasJeff; 05-08-2009 at 12:25 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Thanks, Jeff. I printed 'em off and will take a shot at it tomorrow.
K |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Amador County, Ca.
Posts: 229
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Keith, I just finished putting a 7 way in my 87 3/4 ton silverado.
Pretty basic. My trailer brake controller had 4 wires. A positive and negative (per the instructions, both of mined attached the the + and - of the battery and I just used large round electrical wire connectors). The blue wire gets routed along the frame to the back of the truck and will control the electric brakes. The 4th wire went to the "cold wire" on the brake button under the dash. This means this wire only gets power when you apply the brake pedal. My 87 had a orange and white wire coming off the brake pedal button located above the brake pedal under the dash. On my truck the white wire was the "cold wire" and the one I connected the brake controller to. If you need a constant 12v like I did, I just ran another wire from the battery along the frame to the back where the 7 way was. I went to the auto parts store and purchased a 4 way trailer wire kit. I connected it to the taillights of my truck and then routed it to the 7 way plug. This allows you to get your turn signals and brake lights. The 7th wire is usually an "auxillary" / extra wire which I did not use and just left open. the colored wires do not correlate with the colors on the 7 way plug. Here is how I wired it(I used the horseshoe shaped connectors too): Colored Wire--------Plug color identified green wire to ----brown on plug brown wire to-----green on plug yellow wire to------red on plug blue wire to --------blue on plug white wire to -------ground red wire (or 12v constant to---center of plug auxillary wire (any color) to------black on plug Be careful when running wires they won't hit/rub against any moving parts. When running wires thru the firewall, get a plug so the metal won't rub thru the wire or down the road you might be looking for a short. I also used wire loom along the frame (it was a pain but worth the piece of mind) so I would not have to worry about the wire eventually rubbing along the frame and shorting out. Hope this advice helps. If you have any questions PM me. Greg
__________________
1995 GMC 4x4 1/2 ton 1999 Jeep Wrangler w/ 33's 68 camaro 350/350 1987 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 Suzuki DRZ 400s Dual Sport 1971 chevy long bed 2x4 194? Dodge 2.5 ton 1980 Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 1/2 ton I6/sm455 1989 Chevy V30 crewcab dually 454/TH400 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Excellent post, Greg.
That's pretty much the conclusion I had come to. I've got some parts on order and once they arrive I'll take a shot at it. I'll let you all know if I have any specific questions. Thanks again - K
__________________
Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Dusting an old one off......
Looking to integrate new trailer (truck/female side) & trailer (male side) connections on my 89 Dually. I didn't think it would be a big deal but after leaving NAPA & O'riellys today, I found no 'on the rack' adapters to make things simple. Keith, any highlights you care to review after your install?
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: WV
Posts: 946
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
SCOTI, Here's what I have done. I use a Hoppy/Hopkins 41115 (or equivilent) and run those 4 wires into a 7 way. Then run a Blue wire for the brakes. That leaves 2 locations. 1 for reverse lights (which I don't have a trailer that has them........Yet. And 1 for auxiliary. Use that one to recharge the winch battery. I have also added a 4 flat that I tap into the terminals and run back out to haul my small trailer without having to use an adapter.
__________________
72 GMC C2500 402/Th400 first truck (still have) 77 GMC C3500 CC dually Sold ![]() 70 C50 dump truck "Rusty" 87 K10 Suburban Sold 93 K2500 xcab 6.5TD 96 GMC K2500 Suburban 6.5 TD |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Quote:
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Quote:
The posts above are very good (thanks again Greg and thanks Mrolds). I did go with a 7 pin round, which necessitates keeping track of an adapter, but I have to accomodate both a Haulmark enclosed with the big plug and my open trailer, which is a four pin flat connector. K
__________________
Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
Quote:
But @ least 3 friends have borrowed it that have late model trucks w/the 7-pin set-up. I feel that since I have trailer brakes they should be functional for added safety & since I need to clean-up the junk wiring before putting my bed back on the frame, now is the time to use something more commom.
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State
Posts: 1,515
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
If it were me, I'd get one of the T kits for the vehicle, should be something like Curt 55312, firstly cutting of that flat 4 joke. (I picked 'burb to hopefully get into late squares) Then for the vehicle I'd put a Pollack/Hopkins HM40975-11998 (pictured) All you'd need is the brake controller, power for the trailer batt, reverse feed (optional). It may look familiar to anyone who owns a K2XX, it's the same connector that is on the back of the new trucks. It has both 7-flat RV, and 4-flat.
__________________
Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,964
|
Re: Wiring '87 R truck for electric trailer brakes
I think that's the one I have saved on my computer @ work. I'll check back tomorrow am. I held off today to research a little more.
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|