Installing a Brake Controller - Looking for a Grounding Point

[Bronco648]

I'm going to be installing a Tekonsha Voyager brake controller ('04 XTL 4x4 w/4.0 & auto). I've watched the videos and it's pretty straightforward. That said, all the videos show the installer drilling into the driver's side frame rail, near the spare, for a grounding point. Isn't there an existing, factory grounding point near the rear of the truck I could use instead?

TIA, Dave.

 

[Roert42]

Mine is wired directly to the battery, with an inline fuse on the + side. Then two wires go down to the 7pin from the controller to the brakes.

 

[ericbphoto]

i seem to remember messing with a ground connection on the rear cross-member behind the spare tire on my Ranger. Should be one there or maybe closer to the driver side tail light. If you connect there, take a minute to scrape or sand the spot down to clean bare metal for a good connection.

 

[Bronco648]

Hey, sorry guys for the slow response.

@Roert42 - You're right, I could run the full wiring harness all the way to the battery, the positive lead has to go to power (under the hood) anyways. And, there is a grounding point near the fuse box, on the inner fender wall, instead of going to the battery, directly.

@ericbphoto - Thanks for confirming what I thought I knew existed. My one 'fear' of frame grounding points is that they'll corrode and eventually become poor grounds. Maybe running the complete harness up and into the engine compartment isn't such a bad thing after all.

Thanks!!

 

[SenorNoob]

I agree here. An extra wire is usually more reliable than a body ground in my experience.

And bad grounds are the worst to chase down. I once had to fix a Saturn with aftermarket radio that caused the dash lights to go out if you loaded a CD cause it was on the factory ground bolt. Damnedest thing, it worked fine until you loaded a CD. Then all the interior lights went out till you shut of the car...

 

[Bronco648]

I've been told that I can make use of the ground wire in the harness for the license plate lights. I might be able to make that work.