Tow package after purchase

[Swanny297]

Hook, line, and sinker.

Guys, you can go to etrailer.com and buy a hitch and 4-pin wiring for $150 delivered to your house.

The hitch is a 5 minute job and the wiring is a Saturday morning at the most.

As far as batteries they're all the same. As far as alternators, you can buy the 220 or 240 amp alternators from rockauto.com for a little over $200 bucks....but mine is totally fine with the 180 or 220 unit that comes on the Sport...whatever it is.

Don't let dealerships rape you. The more successful FCA is at overcharging for this stuff, the worse it's going to get for us!

One of the options well worth it when ordering at $750

Trailer Tow and HD Electrical Group

• 240 Amp Alternator
• 700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
• 7- and 4-Pin Wiring Harness
• Auxiliary Switches programmed into radio
• Class II Receiver Hitch

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[GARRIGA]

Always cheaper ordered from factory than post delivery. Why I'm getting a Rubi with all the bells and whistle I need now and later to avoid repeating my mistakes of past. Dealer labor is costly and after delivery isn't always the same components. As well as may not be same fit an finish and doesn't show on your vin later when trading.

 

[WXman]

One of the options well worth it when ordering at $750

Trailer Tow and HD Electrical Group

• 240 Amp Alternator
• 700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
• 7- and 4-Pin Wiring Harness
• Auxiliary Switches programmed into radio
• Class II Receiver Hitch

• 240 Amp Alternator - $200, debatable whether it's even needed
• 700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery - already included on JL
• 7- and 4-Pin Wiring Harness - $70 aftermarket
• Auxiliary Switches programmed into radio - Ok, I'll agree here, IF you are actually going to use them
• Class II Receiver Hitch - $70

The real cost of this package should be around $250 from the factory, considering that they're only substituting the alternator for an existing one. $750 is a rip-off. $500 would be a rip-off. But, it's a JL so that's what they do.

 

[maguro]

That's a lot of labor hours! I did the switches myself and saved the 300 something they were trying to charge me plus the reflash...4 wheels parts quoted me 150 but I still did it myself to save a few bucks...honestly it was easy with a helping hand in a step but the disconnecting and connecting some wires was the biggest pain...broke some pins and after ordered like 10 different pins finally found one that worked almost oem....you cant get around the reflash of the uconnect in case you do want to install them.

How much did it cost for the reflash for the aux switches?

I'm thinking of installing the switches myself. Partly because that empty space created by the absence of that option is totally useless! It'll hold a pack of tic tacs but that's about it.

 

[Swanny297]

• 240 Amp Alternator - $200, debatable whether it's even needed
• 700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery - already included on JL
• 7- and 4-Pin Wiring Harness - $70 aftermarket
• Auxiliary Switches programmed into radio - Ok, I'll agree here, IF you are actually going to use them
• Class II Receiver Hitch - $70

The real cost of this package should be around $250 from the factory, considering that they're only substituting the alternator for an existing one. $750 is a rip-off. $500 would be a rip-off. But, it's a JL so that's what they do.

The standard battery is actually 600CCA so a bit of an upgrade. The OEM aux switch panel will run $260 (sure there are aftermarket available) but all wires are run, another $150 to flash if you want to control through radio. I have seen on the forum taking 4-8hrs to run the trailer harness. Upgraded alternator very handy if you are planning to use aux switches and pull higher amps. I would think based on all the winches and lights already shown off on this forum it is probably one of the most selected options.

 

[will1111]

How much did it cost for the reflash for the aux switches?

I'm thinking of installing the switches myself. Partly because that empty space created by the absence of that option is totally useless! It'll hold a pack of tic tacs but that's about it.

I think it was 145 but depends on your dealer....they charge you 1 hour of labor

 

[will1111]

The standard battery is actually 600CCA so a bit of an upgrade. The OEM aux switch panel will run $260 (sure there are aftermarket available) but all wires are run, another $150 to flash if you want to control through radio. I have seen on the forum taking 4-8hrs to run the trailer harness. Upgraded alternator very handy if you are planning to use aux switches and pull higher amps. I would think based on all the winches and lights already shown off on this forum it is probably one of the most selected options.

I believe you need to reflash no matter what as I install them and lights wouldn't power up until flashed....if you have the tazer programmer you are able to enable them thou

 

[se7en]

As well as may not be same fit an finish and doesn't show on your vin later when trading.

I had mine installed by the dealer using all OEM parts, so fit and finish is identical to factory because, well, it is. Also, since they did the install and reflashed it, it WILL show up on a reprinted window sticker and VIN. Just clarifying...

 

[Bubba33]

You didn't get everything thst comes with the factory tow package.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

How much did it cost for the reflash for the aux switches?

I'm thinking of installing the switches myself. Partly because that empty space created by the absence of that option is totally useless! It'll hold a pack of tic tacs but that's about it.

The TazerJL is able to turn on the Aux. switches. That is just one of the many features the TazerJl offers.

 

[GARRIGA]

I had mine installed by the dealer using all OEM parts, so fit and finish is identical to factory because, well, it is. Also, since they did the install and reflashed it, it WILL show up on a reprinted window sticker and VIN. Just clarifying...

Talking in general of doing after delivery what can be ordered from factory. Had a bad experience adding rear window defroster on my first new vehicle. Had similar issue with my FJ adding the tow package where they first try to slip an aftermarket part until I caught wind and demanded OEM.

Just saying dealers may not always do it as well as factory. If they can shave on cost and inflate profits it’s often the path taken based on my experience. I’ve purchase 9 new vehicles since the late 80s. I’ve seen some pretty bad tactics.

 

[GARRIGA]

The TazerJL is able to turn on the Aux. switches. That is just one of the many features the TazerJl offers.

Does doing so void warranty? Soon as I add bigger shoes I’d like to use my own flasher. Tediculous to pay a dealer $120 or pay $175 for an FCA addendum.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Does doing so void warranty? Soon as I add bigger shoes I’d like to use my own flasher. Tediculous to pay a dealer $120 or pay $175 for an FCA addendum.

Suggest you do a forum search using words TazerJL and programmer and read all the threads that pop up. You'll find lots of info that will answer this question.

 

[se7en]

You didn't get everything thst comes with the factory tow package.

I know. Still missing the switches, battery and alternator upgrade. It's in the system, none the less, and will be printed on a reprint of the window sticker, or so the dealer told me.

 

[WXman]

Why do you need a bigger battery and alternator? All you're running is trailer lights, and if your trailer has LED lights like mine there is a negligible addition to draw on the system. The stock setup works great.

I'll also say that 95% of people aren't going to need the 7-pin plug either because at 2,000 to 3,500 lbs. of towing, you're never going to have anything big behind your Jeep.

If you REALLY need those aux switches to run additional lights, winch, air compressors, etc. then sure, I can see how maybe it would be cool to have that. But just from the basic standpoint of a towing package, $800 is insanity. The packages for 1-ton pickups aren't nearly that expensive and they give you a LOT more hardware for the money.

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