Is the ADH code really necessary to use an electric brake controller?

[Yellow Cake Kid]

Is the ADH code really necessary to use an electric brake controller?

I have a 2020 JLU Rubicon that did not come with the tow package.

I live two hours from the nearest Jeep dealer and five hours from a Jeep dealer with an experienced service department, so I would like to DIY everything I can.

I want to install the factory MOPAR wiring harness and then install an electric brake controller.

I have a RedArc premium on another car, but I am considering the Jeep factory controller for my Rubicon.

As I have been preparing for this install and reading install info, I have seen a few mentions that I may need to have the Jeep flashed with a sales code that indicates that the tow package is added.

Is it true? Does the Jeep CANbus care if I add the wiring and the brake controller?

I have also read that some early JLs had conflicts with the brake controllers and the ABS system, which were fixed with an update. How would I know if my March 03, 2020 build date Jeep has the suitable software?

Thank you.

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[Jeep Wick]

Is the ADH code really necessary to use an electric brake controller?

I have a 2020 JLU Rubicon that did not come with the tow package.

I live two hours from the nearest Jeep dealer and five hours from a Jeep dealer with an experienced service department, so I would like to DIY everything I can.

I want to install the factory MOPAR wiring harness and then install an electric brake controller.

I have a RedArc premium on another car, but I am considering the Jeep factory controller for my Rubicon.

As I have been preparing for this install and reading install info, I have seen a few mentions that I may need to have the Jeep flashed with a sales code that indicates that the tow package is added.

Is it true? Does the Jeep CANbus care if I add the wiring and the brake controller?

I have also read that some early JLs had conflicts with the brake controllers and the ABS system, which were fixed with an update. How would I know if my March 03, 2020 build date Jeep has the suitable software?

Thank you.

I looked at the instructions on quadratec. There is no mention of the dealer flash, and reviews do not mention it either. I would try it, but I went with the Redarc liberty which works well.

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

Hi,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.

One thing I have had to do while reading reviews and install comments is differentiate between Jeep owners who already have the factory tow pack wiring and those like me who do not.

I wanted to order the tow-pack option, but I bought my Jeep off the lot because it was available and pretty close to what I wanted. It had been built 15 days before the Jeep factory closed for COVID-19. I did not want to wait for a special order under those circumstances.

Installing the wiring has been on my to-do list for the past few years. Last week, I placed an order for a small camp trailer, so it is time to make it happen.

 

[Magredvet]

Not a Jeep, but similar circumstances. I installed the factory brake controller in my 2019 Ram, and although the controller will work without the flash, you do not get the options for trailer selection, and the screen that shows the brake percentage in the dash. Don't know if it is the same for the Jeep controller. However if it does need the flash, you can probably do it with a Tazer or Jscan............

 

[Jeep Wick]

Hi,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.

One thing I have had to do while reading reviews and install comments is differentiate between Jeep owners who already have the factory tow pack wiring and those like me who do not.

I wanted to order the tow-pack option, but I bought my Jeep off the lot because it was available and pretty close to what I wanted. It had been built 15 days before the Jeep factory closed for COVID-19. I did not want to wait for a special order under those circumstances.

Installing the wiring has been on my to-do list for the past few years. Last week, I placed an order for a small camp trailer, so it is time to make it happen.

FWIW, mine also did not come with the tow package. I added the Mopar tow harness without issue, no dealer flash required. It's my understanding the tow controller has it's own module and ties into the brake signal in the passenger foot well, just like an aftermarket one. I'd be really surprised if you need the dealer involved.

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

Thanks to both for the additional info and the explanation about the dash pages.

I searched for info about The JL Tazer and saw that it has some trailer features, which I hope will prove to unlock all the trailer tow features.

I've also found some more info about the ABS concerns. It appears that the first batch of Gladiators was affected and needs a TSB fix to prevent conflict between a trailer brake controller and the ABS.

The 2020 JLs seem good to go.

I'm going to give it a try.

Thank you.

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

Hi @Jeep Wick

Where did you mount your RedArc control knob, and where did you mount the "brain"?

Thank you.

 

[shindleria235]

I wired my own Curt controller and wiring harness into my '19. Did not have to have anything flashed or done by the dealer, and successfully put 2k+ miles on last year towing our camper. Brake controller has worked great since.

Biggest PIA was the wiring into the brake signal wire in the passenger footwell; the rest was straightforward per the installation instructions for the harness & controller.

 

[Jeep Wick]

Hi @Jeep Wick

Where did you mount your RedArc control knob, and where did you mount the "brain"?

Thank you.

On my first Jeep I put it under the steering wheel, that panel was easy to remove I just had to dremel a space for the knob housing. The box was mounted behind here under the left side dash with command strips. Working on the current Jeep this weekend, maybe near the climate control but I'm not sure until I get behind there. I've seen some mounted near the shifter but I don't think I want to do that.

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

Hi @Jeep Wick

Thank you for the ideas.

 

[Jeep Wick]

Hi @Jeep Wick

Thank you for the ideas.

I just finished installing the second Redarc Liberty. This time I put the knob a little closer. It fits nicely in this corner under the climate control and start button.

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

Hi @Jeep Wick

The photos are very helpful.

Thank you!

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