Adding hitch receiver to 2018 JL Sahara?

[wampeter]

I have been considering adding a hitch receiver to my 2018 JL Sahara (obviously did not come with the tow package) primarily for the ability to attach accessories such as a bike rack. Not currently intending to use for serious towing.

Wasn’t able to find great threads about this and was just curious how easy/difficult this was to do? Any thoughts on Mopar vs. other aftermarket hitch receiver? Is this all that I would need to order if I did Mopar?
https://store.mopar.com/accessories...s-hitch_receiver/hitch_receiver_82215209.html

If I just add the tow hitch receiver now, can I add the rest of the tow package (aux buttons, wiring) at a later date if I want the ability to do more than add an accessory?

Thanks for any advice! Clearly I’m new at the whole mod thing...

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[TrailTorque]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ow-hitch-receiver-installation-writeup.23391/

Same tongue weight rating as the Mopar and is a quarter of the cost. Easy install. Have fun.

 

[BlueSV650]

I used this hitch for a bike rack. It is a little longer than most so the rack fits well with the spare tire. I also liked how the holes for the safety chain were integrated into the vertical plate. Installation was very easy and took less than an hour.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016I9VF0/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_eyrfDbB9G93CX

 

[ely-bound]

I installed a receiver hitch for my 2019 JL. Keep in mind the JK hitches will fit as well. I spent less than $25 for a new JK hitch on ebay. I also installed a trailer wiring kit from etrailers. The wiring took half a day for me to install. The hitch was not bad at all. As the previous post recommended, take your time and pick out a hitch that will meet your needs to clear the back/spare tire for your type of bike rack. I have not tackled installing the AUX switches. Good luck.

 

[Grateful1]

If you just want to add the hitch you can. You can add the wiring later. The Mopar tow and aux wiring harnesses are very labor intensive. I would suggest adding the tow harness and aux switch harness at the same time. Without going into too much detail, you have to remove the front passenger inner fender liner, all the trim pieces on the inside passenger side, both tail light for the tow harness. For the aux harness, front passenger inner fender liner, front passenger trim pieces where you disconnect the front passenger door, the center bezel (infotainment center) comes almost completely apart. Also you will need a plastic rivet gun to re-rivet new plastic rivets for the fender well. You also have to convince your wife you can do it all in one. Saturday is date night after all. Yay, so there is that. I’m still going to tackle this install after I return from deployment.

 

[Grateful1]

I used this hitch for a bike rack. It is a little longer than most so the rack fits well with the spare tire. I also liked how the holes for the safety chain were integrated into the vertical plate. Installation was very easy and took less than an hour.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016I9VF0/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_eyrfDbB9G93CX

That is nice.

 

[Grateful1]

I have been considering adding a hitch receiver to my 2018 JL Sahara (obviously did not come with the tow package) primarily for the ability to attach accessories such as a bike rack. Not currently intending to use for serious towing.

I highly suggest checking

CJPONYPARTS.COM
JEEPSAREUS.COM
JUSTFORJEEPS.COM

They are usually cheaper. There is on place I cannot remember. Bamwarehouse.com I think.

This one is only $184

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215209.html

 

[Granizle]

If you just want to add the hitch you can. You can add the wiring later. The Mopar tow and aux wiring harnesses are very labor intensive. I would suggest adding the tow harness and aux switch harness at the same time. Without going into too much detail, you have to remove the front passenger inner fender liner, all the trim pieces on the inside passenger side, both tail light for the tow harness. For the aux harness, front passenger inner fender liner, front passenger trim pieces where you disconnect the front passenger door, the center bezel (infotainment center) comes almost completely apart. Also you will need a plastic rivet gun to re-rivet new plastic rivets for the fender well. You also have to convince your wife you can do it all in one. Saturday is date night after all. Yay, so there is that. I’m still going to tackle this install after I return from deployment.

Very easy fix for an intense labour task. https://www.bing.com/fd/ls/GLinkPin...9tLnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9eEZsZkdpbWhBa0k

 

[Grateful1]

Very easy fix for an intense labour task. https://www.bing.com/fd/ls/GLinkPin...9tLnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9eEZsZkdpbWhBa0k

If that was just the link to Bing, you got me. If that was a link to an actual hitch or information it doesn't work.

 

[Granizle]

If that was just the link to Bing, you got me. If that was a link to an actual hitch or information it doesn't work.

Hope that one works.

 

[Slowpoke]

Hope that one works.

Is this for a JL with LED lights?

 

[Granizle]

Is this for a JL with LED lights?

The clips should be the same, Mopar doesn’t sell two different wiring harnesses that I can see anywhere for regular or LED. I was looking into getting the hitch and come across this instead of the nightmare install from Mopar.

 

[rallydefault]

Install is incredibly easy. I got the Mopar hitch for a fraction of the price by not ordering the kit that most sites offer for like 100 bucks or whatever, but instead I ordered literally JUST the hitch and bought the screws/nuts at a hardware store for a few bucks. Probably spent like 30 bucks.

 

[Sital]

I'm thinking of adding this hitch for a bike rack. I'm hoping that since it has a longer receiver tube I won't need a hitch extender.

 

[Slowpoke]

I'm thinking of adding this hitch for a bike rack. I'm hoping that since it has a longer receiver tube I won't need a hitch extender.

Looks exactly like the one that I ordered from etrailer yesterday. It's a little longer and came with bolt kit.

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