ShadowsPapa
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Bill
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2019
- Threads
- 180
- Messages
- 29,483
- Reaction score
- 35,076
- Location
- Runnells, Iowa
- Vehicle(s)
- '22 JTO, '23 JLU, '82 SX4, '73 P. Cardin Javelin
- Occupation
- Retired auto mechanic, frmr gov't ntwrk security admin
- Vehicle Showcase
- 3
- Thread starter
- #1
Not a happy camper. I totally wasted a lot of money.
It's not at all ready for prime time.
First - do NOT even think of touching that button with no trailer and the engine running.
That's right - no diode, it will light your cluster like the 4th of July or Christmas - and it disabled 4 functions on my jeep until I shut down and restarted.
The instructions are wrong in two places - they show it with wires facing you as you install it but it comes reversed - which is correct? The arrow points to removing a wire strap on the lower hole, it's actually the upper hole.
VERY hard to plug it in installed as it's shown, but much easier if it's reversed from the directions (installed as it comes)
Comparing this to Redarc -
Redarc single mode controller - about 136
Mopar single mode controller - over 250
Redarc dual mode controller with bezel and Ram harness with diode - under 250
So for less money you can get a dual purpose controller that has a diode in the line and won't light up your dash if you press that button without a trailer connected. Not a biggy - but if you are like me and may bump that button shifting the t-case or reaching for a window switch or whatever, it will be a problem.
What does the Mopar controller do that Recarc does not?
Nothing.
It doesn't light with headlights on, it only lights with a trailer. Which is fine because you don't need it without a trailer, right?
It doesn't integrate into the electronics in any way - it won't show on your dash or screen. It's a dumb controller just like Curt, Redarc, etc. But for about twice the money.
Obviously this was a hurry-up thing. They never tested it.
So why do we all want it? Because the control knob matches the dash! That's it.
I find zero advantage and several disadvantages.
Frankly, I'm concerned about how cheap and light the control dial is - it's a fraction of the weight and thickness of the smaller Redarc knob. I have a feeling it's not going to hold up well.
I'm still debating, especially after finding it will light up your dash and crap out if you hit the button by accident, I may still rip it out and trash it.
I'll see how I feel after a couple of days - but one more time of that fXXX thing lighting up my dash and it's out of there.
I can't believe Mopar released this overpriced cheaply made thing that doesn't even have any protection from error (like a diode)
What gives, Jeep? What a joke.
Show me an advantage this has over the Redarc controller - other than LOOKS. Seriously.
I expected something WELL MADE, with a solid control knob, not some cheap thin plastic.
And like I say - it doesn't even light with no trailer.
Where's the advantage and why did we all - including stupid ME - rush to get this thing?
Instructions are a mess -
There is no ADH code for Gladiator, that's a Wranger, etc. code. So anyone with a Gladiator is going to be confused by that including DEALERS!
The instructions show in at least SIX (6) places where the controller itself should be mounted with connectors facing you - pointing back. It comes the other way.
The instructions point to a lower hole and show removing a wire harness clip - the clip is actually in the UPPER hole and mine was a bitch to get out!
I could go on - but you see the deal - it was rushed out and the instructions were never checked, tested, etc.
It's not at all ready for prime time.
First - do NOT even think of touching that button with no trailer and the engine running.
That's right - no diode, it will light your cluster like the 4th of July or Christmas - and it disabled 4 functions on my jeep until I shut down and restarted.
The instructions are wrong in two places - they show it with wires facing you as you install it but it comes reversed - which is correct? The arrow points to removing a wire strap on the lower hole, it's actually the upper hole.
VERY hard to plug it in installed as it's shown, but much easier if it's reversed from the directions (installed as it comes)
Comparing this to Redarc -
Redarc single mode controller - about 136
Mopar single mode controller - over 250
Redarc dual mode controller with bezel and Ram harness with diode - under 250
So for less money you can get a dual purpose controller that has a diode in the line and won't light up your dash if you press that button without a trailer connected. Not a biggy - but if you are like me and may bump that button shifting the t-case or reaching for a window switch or whatever, it will be a problem.
What does the Mopar controller do that Recarc does not?
Nothing.
It doesn't light with headlights on, it only lights with a trailer. Which is fine because you don't need it without a trailer, right?
It doesn't integrate into the electronics in any way - it won't show on your dash or screen. It's a dumb controller just like Curt, Redarc, etc. But for about twice the money.
Obviously this was a hurry-up thing. They never tested it.
So why do we all want it? Because the control knob matches the dash! That's it.
I find zero advantage and several disadvantages.
Frankly, I'm concerned about how cheap and light the control dial is - it's a fraction of the weight and thickness of the smaller Redarc knob. I have a feeling it's not going to hold up well.
I'm still debating, especially after finding it will light up your dash and crap out if you hit the button by accident, I may still rip it out and trash it.
I'll see how I feel after a couple of days - but one more time of that fXXX thing lighting up my dash and it's out of there.
I can't believe Mopar released this overpriced cheaply made thing that doesn't even have any protection from error (like a diode)
What gives, Jeep? What a joke.
Show me an advantage this has over the Redarc controller - other than LOOKS. Seriously.
I expected something WELL MADE, with a solid control knob, not some cheap thin plastic.
And like I say - it doesn't even light with no trailer.
Where's the advantage and why did we all - including stupid ME - rush to get this thing?
Instructions are a mess -
There is no ADH code for Gladiator, that's a Wranger, etc. code. So anyone with a Gladiator is going to be confused by that including DEALERS!
The instructions show in at least SIX (6) places where the controller itself should be mounted with connectors facing you - pointing back. It comes the other way.
The instructions point to a lower hole and show removing a wire harness clip - the clip is actually in the UPPER hole and mine was a bitch to get out!
I could go on - but you see the deal - it was rushed out and the instructions were never checked, tested, etc.
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