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Trailer Connector

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by mickeykelley, Jul 14, 2017.

  1. Jul 14, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    Did the 50's CJ's come with a factory option for a trailer connector? If so what kind was used and where did it attach at the rear of the jeep? What are most of you guys use, just the flat moulded 4 conductor?
     
  2. Jul 14, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Don't know that I've ever seen a factory trailer connector on any ecj5. The M38A1, I would imagine, had something that may be adaptable to a 12V divvy JEEP. The dealer may have, and probably would have, installed trailer wiring for the customer. Probably an old round 4 or 5 since that was the norm back them vs todays flat 4.

    I suspect the standard flat 4 is what most people use. Easy to splice in and I doubt anyone would pull a trailer behind their JEEP that would have, or require powered brakes. I'll just do a flat 4 when I do mine so I can pull my Bantam.
     
  3. Jul 14, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    That's all I plan on pulling too.
     
  4. Jul 14, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Nothing shown in the wiring diagram or parts manual.

    I've never had good luck with the flat 4's, they always seem to have issues with broken wires or poor contact. I now use a 7 pin connector as that seems to be what most trucks come with these days, always works fine.

    H.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2017
  5. Jul 14, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    It did indeed. But it might be overkill in this application, with 12 pins.

    I would go with Howard's suggestion. And keep a four pin adaptor under the seat.




    1519C2aa.jpg
    cover.jpg
     
  6. Jul 14, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Them things is downright pricey, & you'll never ever find replacement plugs at the FLAPS :(
     
  7. Jul 14, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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  8. Jul 14, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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  9. Jul 14, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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  10. Jul 14, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I didn't notice that. I linked it only as an example.
     
  11. Jul 15, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    AFAIK Jeep did not offer a trailer towing option for the CJs. However, I recall they have always promoted trailer towing for the Wagoneer and trucks.

    If you look here, the '78 trailer towing harness is shown in 3 pages. Tom 'Oljeep' Collins FSJ Wiring Page

    These harnesses were plug-in to the factory harness, and I believe there is no corresponding 4-pin connector on the CJ that you can plug the Wagoneer harness into. Note that this is a 5-pin flat connector that includes the backup lights. Jeep also shows a "heavy duty" towing package that uses a group of relays to switch the trailer lights on and off, and a round connector.

    I looked into this some recently, since my J20 came with hacked-in trailer wiring - no connector, just dangling wires - that I wanted to replace with a cleaner connector. It seems the 7-pin "RV standard" connector is the most common connector in use today. The 4-pin flat connector also seems common, but I'd avoid it because it requires leaving wires dangling under the Jeep when the trailer is not connected. Making a 7-pin to 4-pin adapter seems like the right approach, if you want to be able to connect to trailers using the 4-pin connector.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2017
  12. Jul 15, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    The 7 RV to 4 flat are commonly available anywhere that sells this type of stuff. Tractor supply, wal-mart, Lowes, Home Depot, etc., etc., or your local FLAPs
     
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