Suggest brake system for 2015 Wrangler Unlimited

TravelHawk wrote:


For lights I'm trying to grasp pros and cons of Mopar "factory" cable vs. CoolTech (apparently a knock-off) vs. the various home-brew methods that installers use, with diodes and sometimes relays (Mopar and CoolTech use both). The difficult is, labor seems to be about the same using any of the options, so it comes down to best and most reliable method.

The Mopar "factory" cable is a minimum amount of work. I put that on my 2015 Wranger. The connector on the jeep was located up behind the glove box. Just had to thread the "factory" cable from the bumper to the glove box. The diode options require you to run wires all the way back to the tail lights.

TravelHawk wrote:
The final debate is over which baseplate for a Wrangler. BlueOx is the obvious choice, but on a Wrangler it mounts very low (almost 3 inches lower than on a Liberty), which then requires I use a 6-inch dropbar (ugh, I already use a 4-inch), and potentially exposes the baseplate to ground impact when off-roading. Demco seems to mount almost 3 inches higher, but the mounting seems far less robust (fewer bolts, etc). I don't think Roadmaster baseplate is worth considering since I already have BlueOx towbar.

I bought and installed a Currie Enterprises Tow Bar mounting plate for Jeep Wrangler 07 and up which replaces the plastic cover directly under the bumper and looks very clean. The install took just over an hour with a buddy's help.

I used a Blu-Ox Bar with roadmaster Base Plate and CoolTech harness. Did all install myself and was not a problem. Looks OK Also. Once the arms are removed hard to tell to really notice the plate. But I have winch and aftermarket bumper.
Use a Brake Buddy at this time but would love to have something easier.

bighatnohorse wrote:
Post is now months old. Did you settle on a brake system? Which one and how did the install go for you?

Thanks for the reminder. The answer is, "not yet". I'm still trying to get delivery of the Wrangler...expected last Friday but just got bumped to 2 weeks from now, "still on a railcar". Frustrating.

So, I'm still investigating all options.

For auxiliary braking I'm inclined to transfer over my Liberty's Unified Tow Brake system, in spite of the business issues, because it is clearly the most sophisticated system, and I already did the hard part -- buy it.

For lights I'm trying to grasp pros and cons of Mopar "factory" cable vs. CoolTech (apparently a knock-off) vs. the various home-brew methods that installers use, with diodes and sometimes relays (Mopar and CoolTech use both). The difficult is, labor seems to be about the same using any of the options, so it comes down to best and most reliable method.

For towbar I'll reuse my BluxOx Aventa II.

The final debate is over which baseplate for a Wrangler. BlueOx is the obvious choice, but on a Wrangler it mounts very low (almost 3 inches lower than on a Liberty), which then requires I use a 6-inch dropbar (ugh, I already use a 4-inch), and potentially exposes the baseplate to ground impact when off-roading. Demco seems to mount almost 3 inches higher, but the mounting seems far less robust (fewer bolts, etc). I don't think Roadmaster baseplate is worth considering since I already have BlueOx towbar.

Post is now months old. Did you settle on a brake system?
Which one and how did the install go for you?

Stay & Play I love mine you should be able to install yourself, at the very least the hard parts, the wiring is not too bad but some need help easy to wire in when wiring lights though. SMI has a video on line & excellent tech support.

I installed the 'ready brake' cable system in my 08 wrangler yesterday. It's pretty straight forward. If you can change your oil then you can install this cable. As far as drilling the hole in the firewall, I found it helpful

to use a small level to go from the firewall to the pedal arm to determine where the cable should come through. If not your hole may be too high and you will have to drill another one, don't ask why I know that.

I am going to hook the jeep to my pick up today and take it for a test run around the neighborhood. I purchased some diodes and will be doing the lights next. First road trip is to Vegas next week for the NHRA

event.

The RVi2 brake is a much smaller package than some of the other portable braking systems. Check the size specs on their website. This unit is not at all bulky and should easily fit behind the seat in the jeep.

I decided to go with the RVi2 for my jeep wrangler because I did not want a cable permanently attached to my brake pedal (SMI and Unified). It would likely be ok, but I am picky about braking when driving on 4wd roads.

I have been towing a 2010 JK Wrangler for two years, using the Aventa bars that you have and an Invisibrake, which I can't recommend. I'm looking for something new to tow my Honda CRV (when I'm not bound for Moab). Thanks for your summary. By the way, I discovered that I don't need to leave the key in the accessory position while towing my JK. My steering does not lock with the key out! Chrysler tells me some do and some don't, and that they think it has to do with the state to which the JK was delivered. But I've towed my JK 9,000 miles with the key out, which is nice since you don't have to remember to recover it when you stop for lunch! Check yours by removing the key and trying to turn the steering wheel all the way in both directions. This works best on gravel. If it never locks, you are good to go.

Smi stay and play go to you tube they have a video of the install see if you feel you can handle it. I installed mine in the drive way no problems. Ran a wire to the MH dash so I can see when the toad brakes are on. went from M&G unit to stay and play.