How to Assemble Ralf and Louie (XR Taillight Extension Brackets)

[cafecito820]

Firstly, huge thanks to @Quadjeeper for the generous donation to furthering the doggification of my wife's JL's taillights.

This isn't a terribly difficult process, but I figured I would throw up a few pics of how to add the XR taillight extension brackets with Ralf and Louie onto a non-XR JL. There are more plastic pieces and way more screws than you would think, and it's easy to miss one.
... I did. I definitely missed a screw and had to take Ralf out and redo the whole assembly...

Ok, enough babbling!

What you'll need:

• Trim removal tool
• T40 Torx Bit + ratchet
• Phillips screwdriver
• These three pieces of the Ralf and Louie brackets:
  
  

Remove the factory taillight:
All of this is done in the rear of the Jeep. Open the tailgate, and between the roll bar and the back of the top, you'll see a small square plastic cover.

1. Remove the plastic cover using the trim removal tool.
2. Unscrew the bolt holding the taillight assembly in place with the T40 Torx bit.
3. Pull the taillight assembly directly back to remove it from the panel.
4. Disconnect the wiring harness:
   1. Slide the harness sideways to disconnect it from the taillight housing.
      Pull up the Christmas Tree fastener using the trim removal tool (optional, driver's side only).
   2. Pull the red locking tab back to unlock the harness.
   3. Press down on the black plastic above the locking red tab, and pull firmly to separate the harness.
      1. A small flathead can help disconnect this if pressing down on the black plastic tab isn't enough leverage.

Now, the Ralf and Louie Part!
The process is the same on both sides. These pictures are of the passenger side. I tried my best to Ikea the pictures to make more babbling unnecessary.

1. Remove these screws, and the plastic bracket, and set them aside.
   SAVE THESE SCREWS AND THE BRACKET. YOU WILL NEED THEM LATER.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Remove these two screws, and the closeout panel.
   SAVE THESE SCREWS FOR LATER. You can discard the closeout panel - it won't be reused.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Unlock the wiring harness (top left) by pulling back on the red tab, then pressing down on the gray plastic above the locking tab.
   Route both wiring harnesses through the oval opening of Part #1.
   Align Part #1 as shown, making sure that the alignment pegs and the silver retainer clip poke through the part, then firmly press Part #1 down over the retainer clip to snap it into place.
   Reattach the wiring harness, routing the wiring OVER Part #1.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Make sure all these screws are in place.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Route the main wiring harness up through the hole in the center of Part #2.
   Align Part #2 to the alignment pegs and retaining clip, similarly to Step 4. Press firmly into place.
   Six more screws...
   
   
   
   
   
6. Lastly, align Part #3 onto the four pegs.
   Make sure the black foam is protecting Parts #2 and #3 from chafing.
   Pop in the last two screws.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Put the original plastic bracket and three screws back into place, leaving the wiring harness UNDER the bracket, as shown.
   (I just noticed that the harness was routed out the right side initially, but routing it out the bottom like this caused me no issues. Do it whichever way you like!)
   Take the assembled taillight back out to the JL for the finishing touches!
   
   
   
   
   
8. Reconnect the wiring harness and lock the red tab. Slide the connected wiring harness onto the rail on the back of the taillight.
   Reinstall the taillight assembly using the factory T40 Torx bolt.
   Replace the plastic trim cover.
   Step back and enjoy the view.
   
   

Hope this helps! Feel free to DM me if you run into any problems.

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[Kindapointless]

Would you happen to have part numbers? I can't see the one on the small closeout piece. I don't know why but I need these.

 

[cafecito820]

Would you happen to have part numbers? I can't see the one on the small closeout piece. I don't know why but I need these.

The only numbers on them are visible in these pictures, but I'm not having any luck finding them. I tried the MLD6034900 number, also the "PTL OUTER BOX" terms. Nothing.

 

[Quadjeeper]

Firstly, huge thanks to @Quadjeeper for the generous donation to furthering the doggification of my wife's JL's taillights.

This isn't a terribly difficult process, but I figured I would throw up a few pics of how to add the XR taillight extension brackets with Ralf and Louie onto a non-XR JL. There are more plastic pieces and way more screws than you would think, and it's easy to miss one.
... I did. I definitely missed a screw and had to take Ralf out and redo the whole assembly...

Ok, enough babbling!

What you'll need:

• Trim removal tool
• T40 Torx Bit + ratchet
• Phillips screwdriver
• These three pieces of the Ralf and Louie brackets:
  
  

Remove the factory taillight:
All of this is done in the rear of the Jeep. Open the tailgate, and between the roll bar and the back of the top, you'll see a small square plastic cover.

1. Remove the plastic cover using the trim removal tool.
2. Unscrew the bolt holding the taillight assembly in place with the T40 Torx bit.
3. Pull the taillight assembly directly back to remove it from the panel.
4. Disconnect the wiring harness:
   1. Slide the harness sideways to disconnect it from the taillight housing.
      Pull up the Christmas Tree fastener using the trim removal tool (optional, driver's side only).
   2. Pull the red locking tab back to unlock the harness.
   3. Press down on the black plastic above the locking red tab, and pull firmly to separate the harness.
      1. A small flathead can help disconnect this if pressing down on the black plastic tab isn't enough leverage.

Now, the Ralf and Louie Part!
The process is the same on both sides. These pictures are of the passenger side. I tried my best to Ikea the pictures to make more babbling unnecessary.

1. Remove these screws, and the plastic bracket, and set them aside.
   SAVE THESE SCREWS AND THE BRACKET. YOU WILL NEED THEM LATER.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Remove these two screws, and the closeout panel.
   SAVE THESE SCREWS FOR LATER. You can discard the closeout panel - it won't be reused.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Unlock the wiring harness (top left) by pulling back on the red tab, then pressing down on the gray plastic above the locking tab.
   Route both wiring harnesses through the oval opening of Part #1.
   Align Part #1 as shown, making sure that the alignment pegs and the silver retainer clip poke through the part, then firmly press Part #1 down over the retainer clip to snap it into place.
   Reattach the wiring harness, routing the wiring OVER Part #1.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Make sure all these screws are in place.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Route the main wiring harness up through the hole in the center of Part #2.
   Align Part #2 to the alignment pegs and retaining clip, similarly to Step 4. Press firmly into place.
   Six more screws...
   
   
   
   
   
6. Lastly, align Part #3 onto the four pegs.
   Make sure the black foam is protecting Parts #2 and #3 from chafing.
   Pop in the last two screws.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Put the original plastic bracket and three screws back into place, leaving the wiring harness UNDER the bracket, as shown.
   (I just noticed that the harness was routed out the right side initially, but routing it out the bottom like this caused me no issues. Do it whichever way you like!)
   Take the assembled taillight back out to the JL for the finishing touches!
   
   
   
   
   
8. Reconnect the wiring harness and lock the red tab. Slide the connected wiring harness onto the rail on the back of the taillight.
   Reinstall the taillight assembly using the factory T40 Torx bolt.
   Replace the plastic trim cover.
   Step back and enjoy the view.
   
   

Hope this helps! Feel free to DM me if you run into any problems.

Looks good! Like I said, it isn't a quick job and a lot of screws. Did you have all of the screws or did I lose some?

 

[Dyolfknip74]

What is the reasoning for adding these? And what's a Ralf and Louie? Dogs?

 

[cafecito820]

Looks good! Like I said, it isn't a quick job and a lot of screws. Did you have all of the screws or did I lose some?

I ended up one short, but I just left one out of the middle section, so it just has 3 holding it in place instead of 4. I'm sure it'll hold.

 

[cafecito820]

What is the reasoning for adding these? And what's a Ralf and Louie? Dogs?

Cosmetic only unless you have an XR. On the inside of each of them, there are easter eggs of dogs yelling each other's names: Ralf (right) and Louie (left).

My wife has the paw print brake light covers, so these just go perfectly with the dog theme.

 

[Quadjeeper]

I ended up one short, but I just left one out of the middle section, so it just has 3 holding it in place instead of 4. I'm sure it'll hold.

I'll see if I can find that last screw. I expect you to take it off and install it!

 

[cafecito820]

I'll see if I can find that last screw. I expect you to take it off and install it!

Oh I totally will.

 

[Wulfgott]

For those of you whom have an XR or added the extensions. Is this fit/gap normal?

 

[Quadjeeper]

For those of you whom have an XR or added the extensions. Is this fit/gap normal?

Looks to be a bit much. Might try loosening the retainer a little and repositioning them.

 

[Wulfgott]

I will try that again. I thought it was excessive as well which is why I asked. They did not seem to move much when I tried originally though.

 

[cafecito820]

For those of you whom have an XR or added the extensions. Is this fit/gap normal?

Yea, they don't fit perfectly snug up against the body (which is odd)... The two halves of the frame don't join flush either.

 

[Wulfgott]

I know it doesn’t fit perfectly. Just seems like it is more than normal gap to me. I don’t have anything to reference though straight from the factory to look at currently. Will try to adjust it more when I have time and hit a dealer up as soon as I learn they have one in stock I guess. Or check out my friends when I get the chance next time.

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