99-04 Grand Cherokee Trailer hitch and Wiring Harness Install

How to install a 2" trailer hitch receiver and trailer light wiring harness on a Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ
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We hope you enjoyed this video and will keep in mind that all information included is intended to be purely academic and in fact is only the opinion of D&E. We are not professionals, nor are we qualified to knight you a professional. D&E want to ensure that anyone modify or fixing their own vehicle does so in a safe manner which leaves the vehicle in a legal, roadworthy state. In short, DON'T BE A MONKEY WITH A TOOL BOX! If you don't know what

[@brianvandy4002]

That's why I'm glad I'm on the West coast. We don't use salt on our roads. Any rust we get is just surface rust. Not this Waterworld Valdez level rust.

[@gumdyd69]

Love your attitude, drilling the hole in the bumper is a good idea. Every video I've watched took the whole bumper off.

[@outdoorsmansgarage]

The hitch and light wiring install on this was much easier than my old 4Runner that was a pain in the butt

[@FrankSchwarzfree]

"I want to have as much length as possible..." said every man EVER!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Shoot.... if i had a how-to on that I'd be a millionaire already

[@papimp2007]

I ran my wiring down through the taillight dust vent then down along inside plastic panel

[@vbrtrmn]

Thanks for making the video! I'm just getting started on getting the hitch for my WJ.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Good luck!

[@chewbakka0911]

There was also a recall for hitches, something about the hitch possibly being shoved into the fuel tank on a rear end impact. Some dealerships will swap out the aftermarket hitch for a factory hitch for no charge.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Yea, I actually took my 2002 to the dealership when I had it and they turned me away, but my buddy had them install a hitch for free to satisfy the recall. Not sure what the criteria actually is

[@chewbakka0911]

@@DEInTheGarage may have been the difference in being set up with the factory towing package.

[@usamade5943]

@@DEInTheGarage If you have an aftermarket hitch like the one you just installed then they will put a mopar one on for free.

[@norcal8718]

Right on brotha, just made my wj hitch job a lot easier 🔧

[@brianvandy4002]

Why not just run the wiring through the rubber grommet in the floor in that corner? Then you can connect it to the hitch and never have to have it hanging out your hatch.

[@usamade5943]

Dude, grab a oem wiring harness and connector out of a salvage yard. That way you get the 7 way harness and can more easily install a trailer brake controller. After that you can either buy a 7 to 4 way adapter or the Hopkins 42145 which has both. (the Chrysler connector plugs right into it) Then buy a trailer brake controller (or grab one out of a salvage yard, I've seen them there) and connect the blue wire on it to the little blue wire that is tucked in the front cowl (to the left of the fuse box) in every WJ. It is taped up and has a tag that says 'Electric Brake'. For the other 3 wires, one goes to ground (through grommet to firewall bolt in engine area in front of driver), other one to a 30 A relay circuit (purchase one and attach it to the firewall as well, in engine area on passenger side) then from that relay circuit to the battery, last one goes to pin 5 on the brake lamp switch on top of the brake pedal.

[@Jack-Surreal_Panes]

My nuts up in the frame were froze on bolt and snapped loose. Had to cut and drill the bolts off. Ended up getting grade 8 1/2" bolts, maybe 10" lo g and went up thru the frame channel and used 2 bolts. End bolt comes right about where the right side plastic molding meets the floor of the backwhere the hatch closes. I keep checking the nut and still tight, no hole deformation. Ocassional short trips with heavy trailer, 3500lbs, but mainly my DIY trailer and cargo hitch carrier.

[@Jack-Surreal_Panes]

Not the best fix but grade 8 bolts are pretty strong. Ran my wires to come out right where the rubber seal meets in center. Got a 3 foot adapter for 12 at Zone. One reason I like the 4x4 jeeps is they have a trans cooler. Not many other suvs have a cooler. Sure , light trailer hauls but no slippage ever

[@DEInTheGarage]

Same thing happened to me on my 2000 WJ. It is a real weak spot on the WJ

[@chuckfinley3152]

Brand new mopar hitches are on ebay for 110 bucks, they are the high ones so you’ll have to take off the bumper and trim it etc

[@mountaingoat8788]

If I did this But Now need a 7 round connector with 12v auxiliary power is there a simple adapter 4 to 7 or would I need to run wires to the battery.?

[@bseries1435]

Were you able to use the stock gas tank skid plate bolts?!?

[@BuBBz]

Should have ordered a new skid plate and put it on the same time! When i installed my hitch i actually had to put 2 washer in each front bolt so it wasnt digging into the bumper. Idr does your wj have the trans cooler? If not d install one!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Yea, I am hoping to find a new skid in the junk yard so that I don't have to pay out of pocket....

[@BuBBz]

@@DEInTheGarage just know i saw em online for 25. So if its like 15 youd be better off getting the new one priming snd painting!

[@MrSrtman18]

Buck. I though you knew how to do this.

[@garyd.7294]

Hey Doug, so much for the saggy diaper. Good job & good advice! I'm waiting on Fed Ex from Rock Auto for lower control arms & trackbar. You keep me going man!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Haha... Mine is EXTRA saggy.... As soon as I find a replacement in the yard I will fix it

[@FrankSchwarzfree]

You said you needed some tools. ..You could have invited me. I've been called a big tool.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Not you, Frank!

[@FrankSchwarzfree]

"Putting this into a WJ is very simple." That's what he said.

[@dmwil1]

Great video! If you had gotten the Limited's higher factory hitch, would that cover panel where it goes come off, or would you have to cut it or get a new rear bumper? Also, where did you get the wiring harness? Do you have a part number?

[@DEInTheGarage]

The limiteds with the to kit had a different bumper with a bexel where that cut out are was. i would have to cut out and add the bezel or get a number bumper. Here is the link for the harness www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012RJZKQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@kennethlindahl9206]

have ya been behind that panel on a XJ? is it similar I already have the hitch on ... did that last fall I still gotta put the tank armor on and put the wiring in now off to the C -list place to look to see what in the way of parts they have

[@DEInTheGarage]

Yea, it is the same on most Jeeps, to be honest, but not most vehicles.

[@kennethlindahl9206]

@@DEInTheGarage that will make it so ez

[@ProjectDanH]

"Crunch" I just had flashbacks of my own rust battles. Haha. That mold plauge wasn't your fault. I know a bunch of guys that has the mold, including beach Jeep! I think it was the end of September.. it was like 95 degrees with 100% humidity for like a week! How come your cannibalizing Willy?? Is he ok?

[@DEInTheGarage]

No no, that stuff is from Freddy, the 2002 WJ I had when I started the channel. Before I sold that one I took all the good bits knowing I would have another one some day. That humidity in September was a major issue here in NJ. My mother works in a school and the entire school went moldy. Had to get professionals in to clean it. huge mess!

[@ProjectDanH]

ooooooohh, gotcha!!!

[@norcal8718]

Where's the link to find the hitch and the harness??

[@DL-by8el]

Jeep has a recall that would have installed it for you to protect the your gas tank in a collision.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I have tried that on 3 WJs and only 1 “qualified”.. I was not able to get a satisfactory answer from the dealer what that meant when all WJs have identical rear ends.

[@DL-by8el]

@@DEInTheGarage Just took my 04 in and the recall reads that you get a new tow hitch. They said mine was a Factory Hitch but my wiring doesn't look factory. Wonder how I would know. Just saw an awesome 1995 5.7 v8 cherokee would that make a good crawler? I wish I was rich I would buy it in a heart beat. But I just bought my 04 needs some suspesion work. Rear upper control arm, shocks, probably will replace my 2" lift. Can you suggest shocks or a new 2" lift.

[@ChannelMarker]

What size motor is your WJ?

[@DEInTheGarage]

That red on is a 4.7

[@norcal8718]

I'm trying to find the wire harness you guys used but when I click on your link it brings me to some bullshit t-shirt place, what's up?

[@andresfuertes5933]

What size washers were needed?

[@gcanaday1]

Hey you can take that to a dealer now and get the factory hitch installed for free.

[@DEInTheGarage]

You know I tried that one the 2002 I had and they told me I did not qualify for the recall!

[@gcanaday1]

@@DEInTheGarage Really??!? You got the wrong dealer! I have done it with the 99, just need to get the 2001 in now.

[@Cherokee-sz7xi]

Do I even need to say my regular comments about the rust??

[@DEInTheGarage]

HAHAH... And they thing is... this is a "clean" one!..

[@joelcoats5071]

What is the part number

[@AlecDaStar]

Link to wiring

[@wildbill23c]

Too bad they're not all that easy for the wiring install. The trailer brake controller wiring on my toyota tundra was even easier than that, pulled 2 screws out of the knee bolster under the steering column, butt connected the 3 wires to the pigtail that was provided with the truck and plugged it in then put the knee bolster back on.

[@FrankSchwarzfree]

"We should get wood..." I've heard that before

[@kennethgoyens9821]

My harness has a body plug attached to.it so it drops out under the body, but i cant find hole..i see u just left your wire in back cargo area.Is there a hole that you saw to run wire under wj?

[@deanhuffman48]

Where do u live to be so salty rusty mine has none I guess I'm blessed

[@cmattingly5033]

My gas tank is worse lol