JK Wrangler towed flat wiring

[Mile_High]

Pretty close to upgrading to a 2013 Wrangler to tow flat.

I heard Mopar makes one, but terrible instructions. I hear Cool Tech, but don't understand why it needs a battery disconnect, and I see Hopkins makes one that just integrates with the tailight harness and isolates with diodes (Hopkins 56200) which I assume doesn't power the front running lights.

Any advise on the wiring harness?

[Dune_Hauler]

Another vote for the factory Mopar unit it relays out the factory taillights. Installation is very easy if you have basic skills.

[Mile_High]

Thanks all!

Picked up the Jeep today, and ordered the Hopkins. I'll give that a try.

[doc_brown]

Mandalay Parr wrote:
On mine they added a separate bulb in the rear light assembly. Using a 4 conductor flat cable wired it into a round 7 pin connector which plugs into my MH.

That's how I wired mine. On my previous Wrangler I used Cooltech. I went the least expensive route this time.

[CT_WANDERER]

I went with installing the extra bulb in the taillight housing. Works fine.

[MetalGator]

I just had the mopar wiring harness installed on my 2015 JK on Friday. My neighbor installed it for me while I was at work. He said it was a royal pain to get up behind the glovebox to get to the wiring. There are 3 wiring cables and it's the one on the top that needs to be connected. That being said, it is a very clean install and seems to work fine. I haven't hooked it to my motorhome yet but I hooked it up to my truck and the lights work as they should. Initially he had problems as the Jeep dash was blinking "Left blinker light out, Right blinker light out". The harness must not have been connected tightly enough. He was able to reconnect and now all is well. I have seen others have issues with this harness if the connector isn't tight.

Burch

[Godsey97]

I got a harness for my 2008 Wrangler from "etrailer" and it was plug-n-play. Very happy with it.

[drwwicks]

I put on the Hopkins part, very easy to install and work well. I was going to look at the Mopar part but installation appeared to be a pain, removing fender, trying to reach under the dash etc. Had the Mopar part been straight forward I might have gone that way. But happy with my choice.

[FIRE_UP]

Mile High,
None of the "plug and play" harness's allow for the front lights to be activated. It's in the construction of the unit itself. I set up our 2015 JKUR with this one:

Hopkins toad light adapter harness


There are ZERO issues with using this one. I and many on here and IRV2 have used it for quite some time without one issue being reported. And yes, it too only lights up the tail lights, not any of the front lights. It's ultra easy to install.
Scott

[Mile_High]

so does the mopar and cool tech allow for the forward running lights to come on?
My backup camera is not night vision so I kind of rely on the running lights now to see it in the dark.

[haddy1]

Mile High wrote:
Pretty close to upgrading to a 2013 Wrangler to tow flat.

I heard Mopar makes one, but terrible instructions. I hear Cool Tech, but don't understand why it needs a battery disconnect, and I see Hopkins makes one that just integrates with the tailight harness and isolates with diodes (Hopkins 56200) which I assume doesn't power the front running lights.

Any advise on the wiring harness?

A 2013 doesn't need a battery disconnect unless you don't want the brake lights on the Wrangler to override the turn signals. You can prevent that issue by pulling the M51 (brake light) fuse. On earlier models there was no "unlocked, not on" position on the ignition switch. Thus you needed a disconnect or needed to pull the 60a IOD fuse.

Be aware that some have had damage to their TIPM ($700) using the CT harness.

[mike_brez]

I added the bulbs in my wranglers tail lights. After a few trips I added these from harbor freight on sale for $20.00. Led much brighter.

[Thunder_Mountai]

Do yourself a favor and look up cooltech JK harness. They are a snap to install. No additional bulbs or diodes. Been there done that with no help.

[RichNewcome]

Can't verify that I've actually seen it in action, but I installed the additional bulbs in my '13 Wrangler. They operate with the coach brakes. The factory lights including the third brake light operate with the toad brake pedal via the Ready Brake system. Sort of gives 2 stage brake lighting with additional brightness. Sounds good anyway.

[scrubjaysnest]

I went with the Hopkins, doesn't operate front clearance lights.