Hitch Receiver Installation

[quickstep192]

They keep it interesting

I dunno, but maybe they had warranty complaints about the 7-pin getting damaged because of how it was tucked away on the 2024MY Broncos, so they added this bracket to secure and protect it.

Not just that, it looks like they left the cable disconnected requiring interior panel removal and other disassembly. Holy cow!

Seems like I either have to set aside a day to do it my self, or pay somebody to screw it up

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[GA2Dr]

I have a '24 Black Diamond and had this bracket - as others have said it is just there to hold the plug for the trailer tow package (that I don't have). I had to remove the bumper to put a Curt hitch on. Not that hard but definitely makes putting a hitch on more complicated than it needs to be. I didn't have any issue getting the bolts for this bracket off but the bolts that hold the bumper on required some whacking to get loose.

 

[Badlands Traveler]

I didn’t removed the rear bumper. I cut the bolts off and installed the trailer hitch. It worked fine.

 

[DarthLincoln]

Not just that, it looks like they left the cable disconnected requiring interior panel removal and other disassembly. Holy cow!

Seems like I either have to set aside a day to do it my self, or pay somebody to screw it up

Hehe actually, you have it easy! At least the ‘24-‘25MY Broncos already have the wire harnesses installed. That was the worst part for ‘21-‘23MY. For ’24MY+ you just have to mount and connect the trailer control module to existing wiring to complete the electrical part.

Are you installing the complete Ford 7-pin trailer tow kit with the trailer control module that the instructions refer to (VS2DZ-15A416-C)?

If you are just installing a hitch so you can mount accessories, or a hitch and aftermarket 4-pin wiring for lights, then you can ignore all the instruction steps having to do with the interior cargo area.

 

[Saltwater Junkie]

Like @Badlands Traveler said. No need to remove bumper. Using a sawzall, I cut off as much exposed threads as possible from the bumper side of the 5" bolts and they backed right out.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Like @Badlands Traveler said. No need to remove bumper. Using a sawzall, I cut off as much exposed threads as possible from the bumper side of the 5" bolts and they backed right out.

Rookie crap right here. No need to remove the bumpers 6 little bolts, some properly placed tannerite and a well placed shot and YOU GOT THIS.

 

[Danielsand]

Rookie crap right here. No need to remove the bumpers 6 little bolts, some properly placed tannerite and a well placed shot and YOU GOT THIS.

It's just a personal preference, but I prefer Semtex (easier to work with).

 

[CoolContractor]

After bumper removal, you heat the bolts with a heat gun (or torch if you feel adventurous), and they come out easy-peasy.

I did not heat the bolts on my 2025 and I ended up having to use a cutting wheel to remove the bolts. Ford wanted $400 to reprogram for the trailer tow lights. Negotiated down to $180.

 

[CoolContractor]

Not just that, it looks like they left the cable disconnected requiring interior panel removal and other disassembly. Holy cow!

Seems like I either have to set aside a day to do it my self, or pay somebody to screw it up

That disconnected wire plugs into the new trailer tow module. Actually very easy to install.

 

[baseline mac]

I did not heat the bolts on my 2025 and I ended up having to use a cutting wheel to remove the bolts. Ford wanted $400 to reprogram for the trailer tow lights. Negotiated down to $180.

is there not a way to reprogram that ourselves somehow or does it have to go to ford ?

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