Factory Tow Package features and specifications

[MyBrother'sRanger]

Sweet that does thanks! No part number stamped on the hitch? Any photo of the connector (that black square on the 2nd pic appears to be it, but that's a cover?)? Also, nothing inside of the cab interior that's stock related is there?

Nothing in the cab that I'm aware of. My brother had a trailer brake added when he bought a job site trailer.

 

[projectRanger93]

Nothing in the cab that I'm aware of. My brother had a trailer brake added when he bought a job site trailer.
View attachment 35480

Thanks for all the pics!

@Josh B Does your connector match the pic posted above? When i bought my truck it had a metal connector, but i wasn't sure if it was factory or aftermarket, so i naively junked it since it was rusted anyway.

 

[don4331]

The 7 pin connector connector in the picture is 100% aftermarket; if it was OEM, it would have Henry's surname molded into it.

I have a number of the EVTM (electrical, vacuum troubleshooting manual) and Ford never ran more than 4 wires to the rear of Ranger for trailer wiring.

Now, the good Ford trailer hitch comes with a steel clip that the 4 pin flat connector slides into. But it wasn't made of any too thick steel, finish wasn't best (just cheap paint, no anti corrosion treatment) and location is bad for rust.

My "cheat" was to grab the 7 pin connector and wiring from an F-150 and splice into Ranger wiring appropriately. But I was only looking for power for my camper, as my trailer has surge brakes.

 

[projectRanger93]

The 7 pin connector connector in the picture is 100% aftermarket; if it was OEM, it would have Henry's surname molded into it.

I have a number of the EVTM (electrical, vacuum troubleshooting manual) and Ford never ran more than 4 wires to the rear of Ranger for trailer wiring.

Now, the good Ford trailer hitch comes with a steel clip that the 4 pin flat connector slides into. But it wasn't made of any too thick steel, finish wasn't best (just cheap paint, no anti corrosion treatment) and location is bad for rust.

My "cheat" was to grab the 7 pin connector and wiring from an F-150 and splice into Ranger wiring appropriately. But I was only looking for power for my camper, as my trailer has surge brakes.

I ended up finding an aftermarket class III hitch and 4-wire connector assembly off a 1995 ranger at the junkyard. it's adequate for my needs as i don't expect to tow anything greater than 1500 pounds.

 

[JohnnyO]

My brother ordered his 1999 Ford Ranger XLT 4 X 4 new from a dealer. It has the 4.0L, auto, tow package, 3.73 LSD, hitch, tow points etc. and is still showroom stock.
Does anyone know if the tow package added a leaf spring or increased the lift somehow?
Thanks.

No, the tow package at the time was only the hitch. The payload package was a separate option. In later years, like maybe 2008-up, there was the optional BFT Package (Built Ford Tough) that included the hitch and payload package together. To my knowledge all Rangers from 98-up included a 4-pin plug for trailer lights whether they had the tow package or not. My 99 did not have the tow package and my 02 did have the tow package and both had a trailer wiring plug.