Hi all! Picked up the parts to install the factory trailer hitch from the dealership today. Thought I would post a couple things and walk through the installation. FYI, some have questioned whether it's possible to just cut out a hole in the existing bumper to save replacement. Unfortunately, without some fab work, it doesn't look like that is an option, as the hitch bumper has slots in it that the bezel mounts to. (So picking up the new bumper tomorrow) I'm posting up the manual for the install, as it looks pretty straightforward - and will probably get into the install over the weekend. Will post photos and directions afterward.
Yeah, that's the base component, but unless you want an ugly cut-out on the bumper, you also need to buy the bezel that goes over it, and if you want to firmly fix the bezel to the bumper, you need to make sure that you get the proper trailer hitch bumper with the 12 slots the bezel clips into. It sounds cheap.. Until you start adding up each of the components... Lol
Yeah, in Canada, the hitch at the dealer is $411, then $75 for the bezel, $291 for the bumper fascia and $270 for the wiring harness. (If you don't have a discount) And their quote book says 2.5 hours for install. Funny thing is Amazon and EBay don't tell you that there is a note on the Mopar site that you need the other 2 components... No wonder they didn't install many at the factory - it's too good of a money maker when they install after the fact! Lol
Note to self: don't bring any passengers if I am planning on bringing a bumper home in the Renny... It just won't fit with more than 1 person! Lol
JK4life do you happen to still have the part number for the rear fascia on the TH? I got a number from the dealer today but I am also seeing a different one for the TH. I have a latitude that I was looking at installing the TH fascia on however I can only see if the hook cutout is the only difference. I am debating on ordering the RR kit and just cut my bumper. I just want something for a recovery point and to mount my bike carry too! Any info would be great.
Here's the info. The top line is receiver, the second line is the Trailhawk rear bumper (5VX23LXHAA) and the bottom line is the bezel. Hope that helps! BTW - don't you hate Canadian part prices??? Lol
Thanks JK4life, that helps a lot. The instructions for the receiver calls for a same part number that is listed on your invoice and is the exact number my dealer gave me for the trailhawk. The only issue I saw was when I put in that number it doesn't list the bumper for the TH - http://www.moparpartszone.com/auto-...gine/body-cat/bumper-and-components-rear-scat But clearly it worked for you! I do not have a trailhawk but I want to put the TH rear bumper on mine. I want to have options when it come to recovery points. I am looking at the RR kit but like I said I wanted the TH rear hook option. Thank you so much!
I just installed the Renegade Ready kit, includes the hitch, wiring, bumper bezel, and template to cut out the bumper hole. Total cost was about $475 with shipping. The bumper cover cutting was not too bad, I used a saber saw with the speed as slow as it would go.
Ok... So finally got to the install today. Here's how it went: total time 3 hrs - but that was with a couple of do-overs. Here's some stuff that I learned as I followed the direction: Pry the two covers off from the edge closest to the front of the car - it won't work if you start from the back (clips are at the front and top and bottom) There are two grey hand-turn screws and wiring harnesses that you need to deal with, but pretty easy stuff. Pulling back the light modules is pretty easy, no real clips to hold it in place. This is what it looks like when you remove the light. Be very careful with these plastic pieces - they are very fragile - was very disappointed in how easy it was to break them. They break if you bend them at all. FYI, these are the grey hand-turn screws that hold the rear headlights in place. There are 3 screws alongside the fenders that need to come out on each side, and one on the bottom. The tires limit your access so I used a socket with the Phillips head to get access. The next step is one of two difficult steps in the process - it is very vague in the manual, and I think the only way you can figure it out is by breaking the clips for the wheel well trim - and replacing them. Buy a few spares before you start, or you may run around without or with loose trim until you get some new clips. After getting the two trim pieces pulled back, removing the screws under it, and then all the screws under the bottom of the bumper and at the rear (including the ones on the body-coloured quarter panels), you are good to remove the panel. Start from one side, and pull from the top of the quarter panel, where there are clips there. There are clips under the top edge across the trunk opening. It's easier to have 2 people when doing this.
This exposes the rear bumper. NOTE: the directions from Jeep are for the non-Trailhawk bumper. The Trailhawk bumper is much more structural than the other bumpers. The non-TH bumpers do not have the extension into the frame. The bottom bumper is the TH, the top is the hitch bumper. The instructions state that these 3 white posts are the only items you need to remove to take out the bumper. However, if you have the TH, that is not the case. For TH applications, you will find 3 bolts on each side - one on the bottom and 2 on the sides. The one right under the tailpipe on the right side is a pain to get to - I found myself changing to and from an extension constantly. Once that is done, you can pull the bumper straight out. For TH models, there are 2 bolts that need to be removed to pull out the hook, and then you can install into the new hitch bumper. NOTE: if you have/install the hitch bumper, make sure you get the TH fascia, as all hitch bumpers can use the TH red tow hook. Slide the bumper in, and attach the 6 bolts underneath, and nuts onto the white studs on the rear. HINT: install the nuts onto the white studs first, which holds the bumper tight so that the 6 bolts are aligned during your install. The manual is very thin from this point forwards. First thing, take the body coloured panels off of the bumper and install on the new bumper fascia. HINT: take off only one side at a time, then install. This will help you review where everything goes. When installing, start from one side of the panel and put in screws as you go. For these panels, it is best to start closest to the Center of the bumper. There is a small body-coloured pin next to a screw. Insert the pin in place first and then the screw. The rest will follow along. Be careful as the body coloured panel can easily be scratched. Before re-installing the bumper, make sure that you insert the bottom fascia of the bumper. The clips cannot be installed once you put the bumper on. Also, remember to put the bumper bezel in first. We installed the bumper before realizing the bezel should be installed... That led to a 20+ minute battle trying to figure out how to get the clips to work without taking off the bumper again... I ended up trimming some of the bumper tabs to allow for the clips to slide in easier. TIP: Remember to firmly snap in the bumper all across the deck of the trunk - otherwise it will sound like you broke something when you close it. The trim is a beast - but if you bought extra clips, it's very easy to do. It would definitely be easier the second time around. Instructions were missing a lot. But overall, the quality of the hitch and bumper are very good. I didn't install the wiring harness, but it would have been easy to do - was plug and play. Having no reduction in ground clearance, and a polished factory look definitely swayed my choice for this setup. It wasn't cheap, but in the end, I'm very happy with the end result. Thanks to my wife for helping and supporting - makes it a lot more fun for a holiday project together Hope this helps a few people in their decisions - or at least gives you insight on what the inside of your Renny looks like.
Thanks for sharing. We're looking at doing the exact same thing. Wished we could have found one with the tow package but that seemed to be unicorns.
Not cool, I have the factory hitch on my TrailHawk and mine didn't come with the Jeep hitch cover. Oh well, I don't have the matching spare or the flashlight either, so I guess I got shafted all the way around on the cool stuff.
Ouch... That sucks they didn't include the full-size spare with rim... I thought that was stock on the TH edition. As for the cover, it was funny - it came in plastic packaging inside the bumper box - so I'm sure it is a cheap Mopar accessory. It's just rubber and slides over the trailer hitch.
I do have a full size spare, it's just a plain steelie. The earlier THs came with a matching spare though, that would have been nice.
Keep rubbing it in Mine is a 2015 as well, just a later build date. To me it sucks they didn't finish out the 15s with the matching wheel and then make the change over in 2016 to be fair to their customers. Sidenote: have you priced one of those factory wheels?! They sure are proud of em, im assuming that's why they quickly cheaped out and dropped the matching spare.
