Not that I need something OEM, but I was cruising local listings to see if I could come up with a receiver hitch for my XJ, and I found a guy that has one with a Mopar sticker and has a built in 6 pin connector. I asked for clarity on model specifics and year..

Were they offered this way? His price is pretty cheap, looks like the wiring still has some type of pigtail attached.


Someone obviously tossed some lights on for whatever reason. But if it's not worth fooling with, I can get a Curt Class 3 with plug n play wiring for under $170 if this isn't worth fooling with.

 

Yeah, there was a factory option. That's probably it. The lights are aftermarket, though. More lights is mo' bettah, usually.

It's probably made by Reese or Kurt anyway, so if it's cheap, might as well go for it.

 

Make sure you get the nut strips that slide in from the rear....

You don't have them unless you have a gas tank skid plate.

 

So, according to my build sheet, I had a tow package. No bolts but there's something threaded there.

 

Probably good then. Get the stock one.

 

Any idea on bolt sizing and if it's a plug and play on wiring? I'm assuming the wiring gets spliced in.

 

Don't know.

 

M12x1.75x40 for the bolts.
Factory ones would be flange heads.
Thinking you won't find flange heads so get a washer too.
Thinking if you had the tow package that both nut strips are in there.
Definitely should have one on the passenger side.
That is what the exhaust hanger for the tail pipe is bolted too.

 

Yeah I'm pretty sure the strips are in there as well. Splice in the wiring?

 

Not a clue.
Only reason I know the nut size is cause I put a factory gas tank skid on my XJ and had to buy hardware.

 

Mebbe. Mebbe not. Pull your spare tire and the panel behind it. You might find a connector in there.

If not, it's a good place to do your splicing and mount your 4x2 light adapter.

https://www.etrailer.com/t1-1999_Jeep_Cherokee.htm

 

Factory was a 7 pin connector. I had that Mopar one on the 01 I had.

 

4x2 light adapter? What you talking about Willis?

 

Most trailers use two lights, one on each side.

1. The left tail light is a combined Stop light and left turn signal. One bulb, two functions.
2. The right tail light is a combined Stop light and right turn signal. One bulb, two functions.

Your Jeepey doesn't do that.

1. On the left you have an amber left turn signal. One bulb, one function.
2. On the left you ALSO have a red stop light. One bulb, one function.
3. On the right you have an amber right turn signal. One bulb, one function.
4. On the right you ALSO have a red stop light. One bulb, one function.

You need to go from 4 bulbs to 2 bulbs. You can't just connect the Jeep's wires to the trailer's bulbs. It won't work. Try it, you'll fry something. You require an intelligent interface that can recognize when the Jeep:

• Lights the left (amber) turn signal and nothing else.
• Lights the left and right stop lights.
• Lights the right (amber) turn signal and nothing else.
• Lights the left (amber) turn signal AND both stop lights.
• Lights the right (amber) turn signal AND both stop lights.
• Lights both (amber) turn signals and nothing else.
• Lights both (amber) turn signals and both stop lights.

See? It ain't simple. There is no direct wiring configuration that will work. You must have an interface such as I linked above.

 

I see what you're saying. Makes sense.

Where does the factory trailer wiring connect? Mine had a tow package from the factory (at some point) someone may have cut wires and tucked the out of the way.

Never mind, I reread your post. This could be simple, or like you said, need an interface box.

My fiesta had one of those Curt Plug-n-play harnesses. Same situation.