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4 Pin Tow Harness Specifics

RussJeep1

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Please let me know if I am wrong.

Currently, there is no plug and play solution to wiring a 4 (not a 7) pin wiring harness to the aftermarket rear hitch on a JL correct--just the kit to do both 4 and 7 pin type harnesses, snaking wires to the engine compartment, correct?

Guys like this have taken the JK 4 wire kit and spliced it into the tail lights, as the connectors on the JK and JL are not compatible, but again, no dedicated 4 pin plug and play method we know of yet, right?

Here's what I don't understand, back in the JK days was it sufficient to plug this 4 pin connector merely into the driver's side tail light to get left (driver's) and right (passenger's) turn signals (correct?), running lights and ground, or did one have to also get to the passenger's side direction signal wire from the passenger's side tail light, even if no spicing was involved?

Thanks.
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Rick12785

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Tekonsha has a wiring set (4 pin) that is supposed to be plug & play for the JL. The only difference is you run one wire directly to the battery to take the draw away from the LED's. Part # is 118782. I know eTrailer has them but would never recommend you buy from them. I'm surprised no one has posted that they've installed it. I will if I ever get my JL.
 
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RussJeep1

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Tekonsha has a wiring set (4 pin) that is supposed to be plug & play for the JL. The only difference is you run one wire directly to the battery to take the draw away from the LED's. Part # is 118782. I know eTrailer has them but would never recommend you buy from them. I'm surprised no one has posted that they've installed it. I will if I ever get my JL.
Thanks for the info and warning Rick.

Let me ask you, if you did NOT have LED back lights on your JL, as I don't have (I didn't opt for them, the AD6 factory code lights in my factory order), would you be less concerned with the power draw issues of using this part sans the dedicated direct-to-the battery wire?
 

Rick12785

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This will be my 1st experience with LED's but I would say yes, I did a T connection 4 pin on my JK and there was no wire run to the battery. I read on here there was concern over splicing into the LED wiring because it is much thinner than standard.
 

mergedown

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I installed the OEM Harness on my JL a couple weeks ago, and I do have the LED package. Even with the OEM harness, you are still required to run a harness from the right tail light to the left tail light. Even the video that PO posted with the JK harness install on a JL shows the need to run from both tail lights.

I've leased my Jeep, so I chose to install all OEM at this point, and I had a bit of an immediate towing need, so my options were limited. I did NOT want to splice into wires, which the OEM solution does not require.
 

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WXman

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I ordered the Mopar "pig tail" for $35 bucks which is supposed to be plug and play, and then you can splice whatever 4-pin connector onto the end of the wires you want to. Usually Walmart sells the 4-pins dirt cheap.

I'll be reviewing it as soon as it shows up at my house.
 

Rick12785

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I ordered the Mopar "pig tail" for $35 bucks which is supposed to be plug and play, and then you can splice whatever 4-pin connector onto the end of the wires you want to. Usually Walmart sells the 4-pins dirt cheap.

I'll be reviewing it as soon as it shows up at my house.
Do you happen to know the part #? Not sure I have seen this yet. Thanks.
 

WXman

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Do you happen to know the part #? Not sure I have seen this yet. Thanks.
I don't have it readily available but I'll include it in my review.
 

TIDALWAVE

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Someone mentioned that the LED wiring harness is smaller gauge than the incandescent wiring. I have ordered the LED taillight package/tow package and plan to tow my boat. The boat trailer uses standard incandescent bulbs...will the trail lights stress the LED lights on the Jeep?
 

Specter491

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I'm also interested in installing just a 4 pin harness but I don't want to have to splice cables. Does a plug n play 4 pin harness exist for the JK? Is it only a matter of time until something comes out for the JL?
 

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digitalbliss

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Someone mentioned that the LED wiring harness is smaller gauge than the incandescent wiring. I have ordered the LED taillight package/tow package and plan to tow my boat. The boat trailer uses standard incandescent bulbs...will the trail lights stress the LED lights on the Jeep?
If you ordered the tow package then the answer is no.
 

arjusmc

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Will you still need to run a wire to the battery if you have a sport with the standard tail lights?
 

d3vils-advocate

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I don't have it readily available but I'll include it in my review.
Did you ever find the part number for the mopar pig tail? I hadn't heard that there was one. Thanks
 

WXman

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The harness I bought wasn't what I expected. To my knowledge there is still no 100% plug and play option for adding a 4-pin harness. You'll need to do some wiring for power, ground, and connections at the rear of the Jeep with one of the aftermarket kits.
 

Bubba33

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There is the one that uses a power wire to the battery. Some have said you can get the power from the 12 volt outlet in the back. I'm going to look into this.
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