Installing a hitch

[Sly8795]

I have a 1990 jeep cherokee that I need to install a hitch on. I was wondering if someone could point or explain how to do this.

I went to fleet farm and found a class 3 hitch for 120 bucks and according to the book it doesnt require any drilling. Does this mean there are holes there I can already levarage for the hitch.

Also how do I wire up my lights so they work with trailer lights?

 

[Jabo]

The holes are there but you have to pull the rear bumper to install the hitch.If you look down the frame rail you will see 3 holes on each side along where the hitch will mount.Mine had special nut that had to be used inside the frame rail.

 

[TerryMason]

I don't see how a hitch could be universal to all trucks, but I could be wrong

I bought a hitch from uhaul for my old explorer, and it mated up to stock holes - I just had to bolt it on, now welding or drilling. Looks like uhaul has 4 hitches in your price range, give them a try
U-Haul moving supplies: Custom hitches

As for wiring up the lights, they sell plug in connectors to help with trailer lights. Take a look at the write up I did for my wrangler
http://www.jeepz.com/forum/accessories/21682-installing-tow-wiring-wrangler-tj.html

 

[Sly8795]

The wiring seems a lot easier then I thought. Does that apply to an older cherokee as well?

When you wired into the one brake wiring that controled your blinkers to?

 

[TerryMason]

I can't speak to the Cherokee, but I think they are pretty much all plug and play these days.

I simply unplugged my driver side brake light assembly, and plugged this T adapter in, then reconnected the brake light assembly. This gave my trailer brake lights and turn signals.


I didn't see one for a 1990, but here's a wiring kit for a 91 Cherokee
TAP Wiring Kit for Cherokee 1991-96 | Wiring Kits | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Sly8795]

I did some searching and they don't make a plug and play for the 1990 jeep, as usual. I found a universal 4 pin wiring harness online. I guess Ill go to fleet farm and look at them to see if they come with instructions on what to splice into. Does anyone have a diagram if they don't?

 

[SteelHeadz]

I recommend a Test light and a friend to help you with this. Ground the clip of the test lamp and probe the wires on each side of the tail Lamps . take note of the color and their respective functions. after you have found the Right Turn, Left Turn , Running Lamps your ready to wire it up to the 4way connector. i hope this helps.

 

[Sly8795]

Oh thats a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion. Now will the wires for both lights be on one side of the jeep or will I need to go to each side to pickup the right and left taillight wires?

 

[SteelHeadz]

If you locate the Harness for the rear lamps where it splits to both sides then you can just splice in from there.

 

[SteelHeadz]

I found the Service Manual for your jeep, unfortunately the schematic diagrams are in black and white and no color coding on them.sorry i cant help you locate the wires by color. the test lamp will be your best friend at this point.