new to the group and looking for some with my trailer wiring. When trying to rent a trailer from U-haul the other day they said I had a dead plug and that only some of the lights would work on the trailer (so couldn't rent the trailer). Is this something that I can replace myself? I've done a search and it looks like I might need a converter. Where on my truck is this located and what should I get to replace it at the parts store. I'd really like to just plug in something new rather than splicing wires. thanks for the help tim

go to the dealer they should have just what your looking for I was hoping to avoid going to the dealer especially if its something simple Thanks tim

I once purchased at an automotive store a set of tail light bulbs that had been modified with 'tails'. Take off the tail light cover and just replace the bulbs. The 'tails' were electrical connections that had been soldered to them, and ended with just a plug that you could plug into a trailer plug. They were only about 6" long, so I had to extend them out, but that may be a cheap and quick fix for a temporary one time deal until you can get your problem properly sorted out. T.O. Galloway

most of the time u haul will replace the plug for you . if i was you i wuold go to anothe uhaul, one that wants your business

Tim, We have a 97 4 Runner and a couple of years ago I had really weird problems with lights when trying to hook up a pop up camper. At least on the 97 there is a module in the wiring inside the right rear panel just inside the hatchback, it isolates the 4 runner wiring from feedback from the trailer. Long story short mine was bad. Toyota wanted something like $180 for module and new harness which comes out the back to the plug. NAPA carried a replacement that was under $50, think like about $30 ... it was with their trailer stuff ... can't remember the manufacturer's name now, but they have them for specific vehicles. No problems since. If yours is the same, you might want to check continuity from the module to the plug before you replace it ... could be an open wire. Howard

Your experience is the same as mine but in the '99, the module is on the left, but I think the part is the same. He may want to check the wiring but without a doubt, the problem will be with the module. Toyota tells you the OEM module isolates the rest of the wiring from the trailer so if the trailer shorts, it won't short out the truck's wiring all the way back to the main fuse. That is not what it does. IT converts the wiring for a one-bulb trailer light from the truck's two bulb wiring. They tell you, gotta buy that Toyota part for $180, not the aftermarket part that works even better but costs $19, or $29 at most. They must send their parts guys to school to learn this BS because they have a story like that for everything. I was told not to use aftermarket headlight bulbs because they are made for American style wiring and the Toyota wires will burn out. I also heard similar stories about using non-OEM brake pads. The parts guys crack me up. They sound like commisioned sales people.

thanks for the help with the trailer lights! If it is the converter how do I get to it? Do I have to remove the large rear driver side panel? What is the best way to do this? Thanks again for all the help! tim

Just take out the left tail light, which by the way, pops off sideways, not straight out. Wsih I had known that. Anyway, you will find the little box up in there, about the size of a cassette. It has a plug going in and coming out so it easily unplugs and yoiu can throw the little $180 piece of garbage away and splice in a $19.00 converter that actually works.