Community Forums

lass · 04-26-2018, 02:08 PM

I also have a JL Rubicon and called Mopar Parts with the same question about the harness. Was told that it will control the signals and brake light only.

I asked if it would tie into the power steering and was told no. At $380 wholesale it better do more.

lawdogg149 · 04-26-2018, 06:08 PM

2500 miles down with 4 wheel towing mine with no issues. Spend the $70 on basic wiring kit with diodes. Easy self install.

CoolTech · 05-18-2018, 10:04 PM

Looks like several folks have gone with the Cool Tech harness created specifically for the JL. I was reading this thread. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/for...flat-tow.4797/

I think this is the direction I will go. Presumably fewer connections than the diode-based systems. But, as I understand, none of the diode systems will prevent the turn signal from stopping to flash if you have an aux braking device in the Jeep. The Cool Tech harness claims they have solved this.

Still need to pull the trigger on a blase plate. I feel like I paid for all of the ground clearance in a Rubicon and I have mixed feelings to give some of it up! LOL

Gigli · 05-19-2018, 07:26 AM

Those of us who have the new JL all face the same unknown, what eacavtly does this new $350++ wiring harness do, does the JL have a death wobble and when will the wiring harness be available. That just leaves, will it work?

Anyone annoyed by the “steering drift” while driving? A constant correcting of the steering direction? Any fix?

CoolTech · 05-19-2018, 08:14 AM

Check the thread in the JL Wrangler forum. Owners are towing without any problems.

As others have pointed out, the JL power steering is substantially similar to the JK and TJ wranglers in that it is powered hydraulically. The only difference is that the previous model Jeeps us the engine to drive the pump (via a belt) whereas the JL uses an electric motor. Another step toward improved fuel economy as there is no need to be driving the pump when there is no steering wheel input.

lass · 05-19-2018, 08:25 AM

Gigli, I traded away a 6 month old GC Summit because of the numerous reports on the EPS wobble situation and here’s the rationale for going with the JL.

The JK steering was a mechanical driven hydraulic system whereas the JL is electronic driven hydraulic system. Since neither one is active during towing, it should be a wash and keeping my fingers crossed. Yes I’m waiting for the June 1 release of harness 82215382 but as of now, reports are that it’s just the brake lights and turn signals. We’ll see.

Glad you mentioned the steering drift. Yes I do notice it. Not all of time and really depends on road conditions.

lass · 05-19-2018, 08:30 AM

nota4re. If it helps in your decision, I installed the Blue Ox baseplate this week and the lowest point is 15 1/2” off the ground. That still about 2” higher than the steel belly pan and about 5” higher than the other components.

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ccrewstx · 05-21-2018, 09:31 AM

I just got off the phone with Jeep customer service and Wave support and was told the JL Harness will not be out until 3rd QTR possibly and that it is required to provide power to the pwr steering to keep it towing straight which sounds like wobble correction. If Jeep had let me know this before I purchased I would have gotten a JK I hope they were wrong

lass · 05-21-2018, 01:34 PM

ccreestx are you referring to the RV tow harness 82215382?

Gigli · 05-22-2018, 06:28 AM

Same here, what a disappointment if the JL cannot be safely flat towed.

CoolTech · 05-22-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigli

Same here, what a disappointment if the JL cannot be safely flat towed.

I think the representative that relayed that information is dangerously misinformed. The JL CAN and IS being flat-towed WITHOUT ISSUE by many RV owners already. As has been covered in other threads, the JL has the same steering assist (hydraulic) as the JK. The difference is that in the JK, the engine spins the pump with a belt and in the JL, they use an electric motor to drive the hydraulic pump. When both systems are off (towing) they behave the same way. This is why there is no issue.

CoolTech · 05-22-2018, 10:39 PM

I just wanted to add a little more insight/clarification on the JL's power steering. As I indicated in the previous post, just like the JK the JL's steering is hydraulic assisted and when the Jeep is OFF (towing) the systems should act substantially identical. In short, the JL should flat-tow just like the JK did and many owners are actively doing this - WITHOUT ISSUE.

Jeep has employed an electric motor in the JL rather than a "dumb" belt-driven pump. The reason is largely fuel savings where every little bit helps - hence the ESS, etc. Unlike a belt-driven pump, Jeep can be smart with an electric motor driven pump. When driving on the freeway when very little assistance is needed, there is almost no overhead with an idle electric motor. The belt-driven pump would still be spinning - taking some degree of HP and some small degree of impact on the fuel mileage.

I hope this helps put to rest some of the concerns of flat-towing the JL.

lawdogg149 · 05-23-2018, 02:30 AM

Im over 2500 miles now trouble free towing my JL. Heading out Saturday for cross country 2.5 months country tour. Not had the first issue yet.

Gigli · 05-23-2018, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawdogg149

Im over 2500 miles now trouble free towing my JL. Heading out Saturday for cross country 2.5 months country tour. Not had the first issue yet.

That is certainly good news regarding the ability to flat tow the new JL without a death wobble issue. Are you or any others successfully flat towing the JL using a standard wiring harness or the new Mopar wiring harness being advertised by Jeep for flat towing the JL?