What were they thinking?

[Bob Garrott]

I'm about three weeks into getting my 2023 Wrangler Sport set up for flat towing behind my RV. Compared to what I went through with my 2014 Wrangler Sport, it's just one thing after another.
Still exercising the transfer case shifter trying to get it broken in. Really stiff to the point I was afraid I'd break something when shifting.
In my new owner's packet was the Sirius XM brochure with instructions for setting up your service. I cancelled the service on my old Jeep and went into the Uconnect to get the serial number so I could activate Sirius XM in the new Jeep. Only problem is, the base radio in the Wrangler Sport is not Sirius XM ready. One of the things I checked when I looked at the window sticker was if it was Sirius XM ready. There in the list of standard features was Sirius XM Guardian Connected Services Free Trial available. If it's got the upgraded version, it must be Sirius XM ready, right? Actually, no. After way too much time digging, I found an entry under the Options section of the window sticker: Connected Services delete credit. I was sandbagged by the dealer! They ordered this thing with the automatic transmission and tinted windows but kept the cheap-a$$ radio for some reason. Retrofit kit from VaisTech is $349.99 plus installation. And yes, I know about using the Media USB to connect my iPhone and the Sirius XM app.
My next surprise came when I was setting up my electric auxiliary brake required for flat towing. In their infinite wisdom, Jeep has deleted the constant 12V auxiliary outlet I had in the center console of the 2014 Wrangler that I could use to power the brake with the ignition off. I'll be having the car audio guy install an additional constant 12V auxiliary outlet for the brake.

Jeep sure picks some interesting ways to save money.

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[Heimkehr]

@Bob Garrott
Here's a simple harness that allows the dashboard 12V port to be always hot.

Possibly you're also aware of this, but the 12V power port in the rear of the vehicle is always hot. If it isn't, here's how to make it so:

 

[TheNewGuy]

I'm about three weeks into getting my 2023 Wrangler Sport set up for flat towing behind my RV. Compared to what I went through with my 2014 Wrangler Sport, it's just one thing after another.
Still exercising the transfer case shifter trying to get it broken in. Really stiff to the point I was afraid I'd break something when shifting.
In my new owner's packet was the Sirius XM brochure with instructions for setting up your service. I cancelled the service on my old Jeep and went into the Uconnect to get the serial number so I could activate Sirius XM in the new Jeep. Only problem is, the base radio in the Wrangler Sport is not Sirius XM ready. One of the things I checked when I looked at the window sticker was if it was Sirius XM ready. There in the list of standard features was Sirius XM Guardian Connected Services Free Trial available. If it's got the upgraded version, it must be Sirius XM ready, right? Actually, no. After way too much time digging, I found an entry under the Options section of the window sticker: Connected Services delete credit. I was sandbagged by the dealer! They ordered this thing with the automatic transmission and tinted windows but kept the cheap-a$$ radio for some reason. Retrofit kit from VaisTech is $349.99 plus installation. And yes, I know about using the Media USB to connect my iPhone and the Sirius XM app.
My next surprise came when I was setting up my electric auxiliary brake required for flat towing. In their infinite wisdom, Jeep has deleted the constant 12V auxiliary outlet I had in the center console of the 2014 Wrangler that I could use to power the brake with the ignition off. I'll be having the car audio guy install an additional constant 12V auxiliary outlet for the brake.

Jeep sure picks some interesting ways to save money.

You didn't look at the options on the window sticker before buying it?
I've seen window stickers with the credit and it's normally the last item listed. How long of an options list could there be on a Sport?

 

[Bob Garrott]

I looked at it but the Connected Services part didn't match up in my brain the way it would have if it had said Sirius XM Guardian Connected Services. I'm fairly certain the dealership phrased it that way intentionally to get the desired outcome, a sale.

 

[TheNewGuy]

I looked at it but the Connected Services part didn't match up in my brain the way it would have if it had said Sirius XM Guardian Connected Services. I'm fairly certain the dealership phrased it that way intentionally to get the desired outcome, a sale.

The window sticker is generated at the factory. If you custom order a JL you can view the sticker weeks before it gets to the dealer.
I know we're all conditioned to distrust dealers but in this case, its completely on the manufacturer. It's a standard feature that the factory couldn't install (almost certainly because if the ongoing chip shortage) so they issued a credit for the missing feature. Ford is doing the same thing with navigation. They are shipping vehicles without that feature and issuing a credit.
Unfortunately, you missed it on the window sticker.

 

[mini4mw]

You can order this to make the 12v front outlet hot all the time. I'm sure its cheaper than installing another 12v. This is what I am doing for towing/RVI Brake.

https://www.cooltechllc.com/2018-jeep-wrangler-jl/111-jl-powerport-kit.html

Its also easy to remove so you don't have to leave it if you don't want to.

 

[Rustynail11]

you didn't get sandbagged you didn't look at what you were buying. Can't blame the dealer, you said you found it in writing that it wasn't included

 

[Shibadog]

@Bob Garrott
Here's a simple harness that allows the dashboard 12V port to be always hot.

Possibly you're also aware of this, but the 12V power port in the rear of the vehicle is always hot. If it isn't, here's how to make it so:

I use an RVI brake. I run a cord from the rear outlet. Works great. I run a Towmate light bar on the back for brake, turn, and running lights, so no modification to vehicle wiring. My breakaway is also an RVI wireless mounted on the front bumper. Towed 10 k last year with zero issues.

Also, the T case on mine was a seriously stiff beast when new. I got in the habit of shifting to 4H and back every time I started down my driveway. After a couple months it loosened up and now shift very smoothly. Then I started going to Nand 4L on a regular basis. Sure enough, after it’d been shifted a few dozen times it got a lot easier to use.

 

[newbie5150]

There are definitely plenty of things to bitch about with Jeeps and Jeep dealers in particular. This, however, is not one of them.

 

[aldo98229]

My guess is Jeep is still removing certain electronic features due to ongoing chip shortage.

 

[Red Willy]

I'm using the RVi brake system and I found it easy to install a 12v lighter socket on an "L" bracket mount under the front of the drivers seat with #12 wire to the main battery, fused. With that and the break away wire tucked under the seat, it makes it real easy to hook up and it's out of sight when not in use.

 

[BVGeezer]

I just installed the Brake Buddy Classic on our new 23 JLU. Pretty simple to run the power wire from their under dash plug directly to the battery. Since you have an auto, it is very easy to penetrate the firewall where the clutch would be via the factory hole.

Suggest that if you don't have your baseplate yet that you look at the Rock Jock. It is a one person one hour install. Just use a floor jack to hold it in place while getting the first bolts in.

Also suggest the Cool Tech towing harness with the optional battery charger. Install isn't hard, it just requires reading the instructions and good concentration. Took me about four hours start to finish. Hardest part is getting the harness to the front bumper.

Yes, I know I need to update my signature picture. Just haven't had time.

 

[Traveller128]

We set up ours to flat tow last summer, and I just got a 12V extension cable to run to the rear outlet. It's only a few feet on the 2 door.

Transfer was stiff as hell on ours at first, but exercise with it (and a B&M stick extension) have really made it much better. My wife had a really hard time with it at first, and now she's happy shifting into all gears, so big improvement. Unfortunately, it starts off awfully stiff, 4L especially.

 

[ForgottenTaco]

Sirius Guardian is similar to Chevy’s Onstar service. It’s completely separate from Sirius xm.
My wife’s jl Willy’s came standard with it. My jlu Willy’s that I ordered a month after she got hers didn’t come with guardian and I received the connected service delete credit. But somewhere along the line Sirius xm was snuck into my build. Not sure if Jeep did that in place of the missing guardian or if it was dealer error.

 

[Powelligator]

If it's not too late another vote for the CoolTech 12V always hot conversion. Jumper takes five minutes to install and completely worth it.

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