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Old 05-07-2014, 06:23 AM   #1
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Separate bulbs wrangler

I continue to struggle with the cool tech harness and the Jeeps ECM. So I would like to go with the seperate bulb approach using the blue ox kit. I looked at the light housing and there didn't seem to be room to drill the 1" hole on the same side as the existing lights, but it looks like maybe in the middle of the side ? The jeep is. 10, JK

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Old 05-07-2014, 06:31 AM   #2
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I just went through this. After drilling two improper holes on the driver side lens (don't ask), I think I found the best place. I drilled my third hole on the side coming in from the right on the driver and left on the passenger side. A little above halfway up. It clears the official bulb and does not hit the separator between driving and backup light areas. Have to work wires in a bit when reattaching, but that is only an issue when reinstalling.
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Old 05-07-2014, 11:51 AM   #3
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Quote:
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I just went through this. After drilling two improper holes on the driver side lens (don't ask), I think I found the best place. I drilled my third hole on the side coming in from the right on the driver and left on the passenger side. A little above halfway up. It clears the official bulb and does not hit the separator between driving and backup light areas. Have to work wires in a bit when reattaching, but that is only an issue when reinstalling.

This sounds like where I drilled the holes in my '08 tail light housings. I looked at a couple of online videos before I actually drilled and they gave decent guidance. I bought sockets and wire at Autozone for my jeep. Less than $25.
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Old 05-08-2014, 08:01 AM   #4
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Why go to all of that mess. Just install this plug & play harness. 2007 2013 Jeep Wrangler Towed Vehicle Wiring Harness | eBay
I used their harness on my '14 Ram, no cutting or drilling for bulbs. The company is in Youngstown, OH.
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Old 05-08-2014, 08:19 AM   #5
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Seperate bulbs wrangler

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Why go to all of that mess. Just install this plug & play harness. 2007 2013 Jeep Wrangler Towed Vehicle Wiring Harness | eBay
I used their harness on my '14 Ram, no cutting or drilling for bulbs. The company is in Youngstown, OH.

Where were you when I was running 4 wire along my frame rails and drilling holes in my tail lights? :-) I also spent a day diagnosing a bad Blue Ox seven to six wire cable AND a bad Blue Ox six wire connector on the Jeep. It is working now, but that was 3 days of vacation I will never get back. :-)

By the way, if anyone has installed the Blue Ox baseplate, can you send me a picture of how you trimmed the air dam on the front of the Jeep? I don't want to butcher it like I did my taillight lens.
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Old 05-08-2014, 09:29 AM   #6
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I don't get it and wonder why anyone wouldn't or couldn't use a COOLTECH harness for a JK series.
With the older pre 07's, yes and the separate bulb idea would be the way to go for using the same light housings. However, on a Wrangler especially, along with many others, I would prefer to just make up a light bar for the hitch or install the lights on a cargo hitch hauler and keep it all isolated from the toad's electrical system.
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Old 05-08-2014, 09:35 AM   #7
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Where were you when I was running 4 wire along my frame rails and drilling holes in my tail lights? :-) I also spent a day diagnosing a bad Blue Ox seven to six wire cable AND a bad Blue Ox six wire connector on the Jeep. It is working now, but that was 3 days of vacation I will never get back. :-)

By the way, if anyone has installed the Blue Ox baseplate, can you send me a picture of how you trimmed the air dam on the front of the Jeep? I don't want to butcher it like I did my taillight lens.
I installed a DEMCO base plate and rather than cut and trim, I have just stored it away and will re-install it, if and when the base plate is removed.
With the wiring down under and no matter which method one might use, I've found that pulling a cable through the frame, utilizing a fish tape, is much easier than tying it alongside.
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Old 05-08-2014, 09:41 AM   #8
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Old 05-09-2014, 06:41 AM   #9
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The eBay harness looks like a Cooltech.

My problems with the Cooltech are that if I don't disconnect the battery it really hoses my ECM. After I make this mistake I first get an ABS light, then Traction, then Engine, all the dash lights flash and eventually the engine stalls. All the codes read something to the affect of "Brake engaged when not appropriate". I have a lifetime warranty on the Jeep and after the dealer got it working last time they "encouraged" me to not risk my warranty again.

I'd like to not mess with under the hood, so it seems like I can go separate bulbs, diodes, or a defuser switch(which if I forget will still expose me to the same problem)

So the Cooltech works, but I'm partly lazy and partly forgetful, I guess. And the cost of my ECM and the warranty is pretty high.

Thanks for all the comments.
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Old 05-09-2014, 07:23 AM   #10
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I installed a separate light kit on my Wrangler because I have an exhaust brake that turns on the brake lights on both the coach and Wrangler when activated.

The separate bulb system only cones on when my supplemental braking system is activated by pushing on the brake arm in the Wrangler.

I do a lot of mountain driving and want vehicles behind me to know when I am actually applying the service brakes in the coach.
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Old 05-09-2014, 08:08 AM   #11
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My COOLTECH harness works flawlessly and I never disconnect any electrical power, even though I do have a battery disconnect. I use a READYBRAKE for stopping and maybe other systems cause some of the mentioned problems, but this is the first I've heard of any and assume that everything is plugged in properly.
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Old 05-09-2014, 08:22 AM   #12
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Interesting we have basically the same brake system. I have the all in one ready brute. Do you turn the ignition off/key out ? I do.
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Old 05-09-2014, 12:41 PM   #13
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Interesting we have basically the same brake system. I have the all in one ready brute. Do you turn the ignition off/key out ? I do.
I have the same with the READYBRUTE/ELITE and with the later Wrangler's, there is no steering lock, so the ignition key isn't used at all. With the locks, and/or using the key, the battery will drain, or so I've heard, if a fuse isn't pulled or the battery disconnected.
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Old 05-09-2014, 01:18 PM   #14
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My COOLTECH harness works flawlessly and I never disconnect any electrical power, even though I do have a battery disconnect. I use a READYBRAKE for stopping and maybe other systems cause some of the mentioned problems, but this is the first I've heard of any and assume that everything is plugged in properly.
Same here. I don't think it could be any easier. Maybe the difference is the transmission?? Mine is a manual trans 2010 JK.
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