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Hi all after a interval of non-Jeep ownership I'm back, the old Xj we had is still going and currently in the ownership of our nephew and still going strong.

We have just bought a 2014 Overland and is stock as a rock and I have a lot to learn so will be asking lots of questions to get up to speed on this, add in it's my first diesel car just to make things more interesting.

My first topic is regarding fitting a towbar, the car currently doesn't have a towbar fitted and is in need of one for towing our caravan.

Firstly does the rear bumper need to be removed?
Where is the trailer connector located for the wiring to connect to? And how do you gain access to it?
Does the trailer connector include the wiring for trailer brakes and if so where is the front connector for this?
Does the car need to be "programmed" to make use of the trailer connector? Any idea on how much this costs and who can do it in SEQ?
Anything else I need to be aware of?

TIA.....

Yep rear bumper needs to be removed as the tow bar slots into the so called chassis rail................. I would advise to get a proper jeep tow harnes, its plug and play with the connection under the left hand side pocket in the back........... an electric brake connection is also in this area with a red and blue wire taped to the harness but you have to run your cabling from your brake unit to these wires, I picked up power from the jumper terminals under the bonnet and ran thru the unused grommet on passenger side, if you look beside the blower motor its easy to see, use this for all cabling into cab, just so easy, ran the cable form the controller along edge of door trim under back seats and dummy rea floor to LH side pocket, theres a grommet hole in the cavity to run cable to outside for tow plug. ................ can't remember if it needs flashing or not, I don't think so...

Make sure the tow bar has a compliance plate fitted and is rated for 3500kgs as there are ones for lesser loads..... the WK2 bar is far better than earlier versions in way of mounting just ensure its torqued up properly... can't advise on a brand as mine came with it and I can't remember who made as plate is hard to read now..

I had a new 3500kg Hayman Reece tow bar fitted to my 2015 a few months ago by a tow bar mob, and they didn't remove the bumper...I had them fit a 12 pin plug for me at the same time. OK, it cost me close to $2k when all was said and done, but if something ever went pair shaped I wasn't the bunny that fitted it...

I had the identical bar on my 2014 and it was clear of the rear bumper as well.

Dunno where they connected the wiring, but all works fine. I then had my favourite Leccy fit a new brake controller, as well as an Anderson plug to run the fridge in the van while on the move.

...I have the 3500kg Hayman Reece still fitted to my old Jeep, as well as the Hayman Reece brake controlled if you are interested...I am in Bris...

Are you selling it?

I can't see how they fitted it properly if they didn't remove the bumper, just to get at the bolts on the mount to check tension I have to drop the bumper as the bar rails go into the chassis .. amongst the dust the tow bar fitting underneath.

https://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum...f66e385916.jpg

https://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum...f67a9b1da4.jpg

[QUOTE=drover;1690719]I can't see how they fitted it properly if they didn't remove the bumper, just to get at the bolts on the mount to check tension I have to drop the bumper as the bar rails go into the chassis .. amongst the dust the tow bar fitting underneath.


I think you have the genuine factory bar Drover...they appear to mount slightly differently to the after market Hayman Reece as the tongue receiver is a tad higher...the trim below the bumper itself appears to be modified too.
There were no mods to the4 bumper at all on mine...

Yep...the whole car in fact as it was written off by my Insurer...no damage to the Jeep, just had a little water go through it and a cactus engine. The tow bar is still attached, I haven't removed it yet. I also have an ARB bull bar and spotlights off it that I am selling...

Is it genuine or aftermarket?
How much?
Any pics?

You can pm me if you like....

PM'd you...

A lot of spit and I found the tag amongst the anti rust and dust, genuine Mopar bar made by Best Bars of Kiwi Land, it does have a bumper cut out which means its not a plough hitch like some and I was most impressed by the mounting as previous Grands the tow bar mounting was just rubbish and poor design, this one at least strengthens the mounting point so less chance of fractures.

hey Junglejuice good to see you back.

my XJ now spends most of its time in the Shed as the WK2 now does all the work

im sure it won't take long for you to get up to speed and be giving us tips

did you have to go through any ceremonial cleanse to re enter Jeep world

Macca

Heya buddy,

I missed my Xj but it isn't suitable anymore for our needs, we spent 5 yrs in a Pajero which was a nice drive but thirsty being a petrol but I absolutely hated the rear door, loving the WK2 so far...
I don't feel so odd now with my Jeep keyring!!!
I need to track down a FSM for this if I can get one...
This one won't be getting modded like the Xj did though....

Deepest condolences for your 5yr stint in a Paj.....sorry to hear that.....stay strong mate...reach out if you need help.....ENJOY !

Cheers mate, I'm going to miss the interior space of the Pajero, I built a set of drawers and dual fridge slides with a storage space behind the rear seat in the rear of the Pajero, by the looks of it this isn't going to work in the GC due to the lower roof height and the short roof length in the rear.
It's odd that the Jeep is so much bigger in length and width yet so much less interior space...

I signed on the line for 2010 Paj Diesel...lovely interior space as you say....took it for a test drive as there wasnt one on the showroom floor, in the diesel format, when I said 'yes'....I found the seating position and drivers seat adjustments very poor, which directly matched the under performance of the diesel which also seemed to effect the ride...was like a drunken wombat, even got out and checked it didnt have one, or two, flat/under inflated tyres...what a let down !.....ended up buying a Honda CRV...less space but 'better'...if you can relate....these rigs are way better than either of those two...for the purposes I need atm....I dont go the drawers and fridge in the back fixtures so the limited rear cargo area isnt a factor...but....I can most certainly relate to what your saying in the comparison between the Paj n our buses

Great to see your back JJ!
Not many 10,000 post club members left!

Thanks mate....

How hard is it to drop the rear bumper? Ours has the parking sensors fitted as well....

Park sensors are on a Deutsch plug on the passengers side directly atthe back of the bumper, can be accesed from underneath. have not removed the bumper myself but if it is anything like the front then only a few minutes, i would imagine.
Youtube is you friend here.

Not hard just a pain pulling the plastic rivets and such ...... while this isn't the page I originally looked at for ideas its close to what I did to get at the bolts on my hitch, no cutting of the plastic bit though. https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/mo...uired.4326493/