Added MOPAR Aux Switch Pod - The results...

[GeepinGeo]

I would literally already be driving a Gladiator right now but because it didn’t come with the Aux switches I bailed on the deal. They told me they could install them through the dealership but my gut said hell no! Smelt like a whole bunch of trips back to the dealership if you ask me. I decided to factory order that way I got everything I wanted and would have no regrets on settling for anything less. I figured I’m not gonna spend all that money on this thing and not have all the features I wanted. Like someone already said these should be a standard option considering it’s only a $300 bump and the fact that it is one of the most marketed features of the new design.

After the fact: I'm in $260 for the switch pod itself, $62 for the dealer to flash, $30 for security adapter to scan the computer unit myself, $15 for the JScan App, $30 for the VGate Reader. Hours of installation work, dealer trips, investigation on line = not working yet, (waiting for the reader stuff to arrive). I wish I would have made the same choice.

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[GeepinGeo]

OK, yall have dissuaded me from installing the factory switch set, I assume switches can still be added the old fashioned way should I need or want some?

Yes, Add a relay and a some fuses. and you'd be good to go. Did so without any issues on my 4 other Jeeps.

 

[trust]

Thanks geepingeo. I figured but I'm never sure with all this can bus and computer stuff

 

[Jaydebe]

Because of this thread, I asked my local dealership about installing these today.
They told me 3.5hrs; sounds like a steal to drop it off and just have it work.

 

[Factoid]

Best of luck.

 

[Jaydebe]

Best of luck.

It's either this or return the switches. I'm fully capable mechanically to do it (used to customize VW's and motorcycles), but I don't want my work questioned if they don't work correctly, then having to pay someone to "make it right" only to find out it wasn't the issue. LOL

PS: The local dealer said they've only done a few; but also have had zero issues. So, I dunno.

 

[LJ_Viking]

I swear, I don’t know why these switches aren’t standard. Just chaps my ass.

Best of luck with getting it resolved.

This is why I am ordering. So many good Rubicons without this simple option. I can see why a dealership might skip them on a JL as an $800 option if trying to keep the MSRP down, but for $300 on the JT - can't believe it's missing on so many.

 

[Kindafearless]

I learned a lot about my Gladiator while doing it. Glass half full

 

[LostWoods]

Because of this thread, I asked my local dealership about installing these today.
They told me 3.5hrs; sounds like a steal to drop it off and just have it work.

Holy shit. There is zero chance this actually takes 3.5 for any trained tech. Maybe an hour plus whatever programming takes.

And I can say that because I'm a former trained tech. I didn't take 3.5 hours to do it removing the battery tray to get to the grommet nipple and I can guarantee they're just going to poke a hole in the grommet which requires nothing more than popping 3 fender rivets. Hell I'm not even sure it took me 3.5 including building a 100% from scratch custom harness.

 

[Jaydebe]

Holy shit. There is zero chance this actually takes 3.5 for any trained tech. Maybe an hour plus whatever programming takes.

And I can say that because I'm a former trained tech. I didn't take 3.5 hours to do it removing the battery tray to get to the grommet nipple and I can guarantee they're just going to poke a hole in the grommet which requires nothing more than popping 3 fender rivets. Hell I'm not even sure it took me 3.5 including building a 100% from scratch custom harness.

Oh, I get it. I used to be a service writer myself, so I get a trained tech has both the tools and training to do this faster than what the service manual says the time to replace/install takes.

I also know wiring (I used to work/mod VW's) LOL

IMO, it's worth spending $350-450 labor & programming to not have to deal with any possible issues, especially if my goal is to be able to say, MOPAR part, you installed it, make it work!

Maybe it's because I just turned 50 last month, but sometimes I'm now more willing to pay for convenience factors.

 

[LostWoods]

It's not so much that I have a problem paying for something, it's that I have a real problem with dealerships overcharging for aftermarket work since there's no official book time. 2 hours to me would be fair but 3.5 is getting ridiculous.

 

[LoJac963]

I installed mine last week, install itself was not difficult by any means. I did use the supplied connectors for the orange wire. I just hooked up JSCAN and enabled all the options and the switches amber lights turn on, I can hear the relays click but they are not showing in UConnect. I am going to give it some time as some said an hour or more but it seems they are working. I have not confirmed power to the individual wires yet, I want them showing in the radio first.

 

[Jaydebe]

Question, I keep reading about blown fuses in the install; are people not disconnecting both batteries? It's my understanding that you have to disconnect the at least the NEG. terminal of the 2nd battery from the actual main battery NEG. terminal to drop all current from the system.

 

[GeepinGeo]

I installed mine last week, install itself was not difficult by any means. I did use the supplied connectors for the orange wire. I just hooked up JSCAN and enabled all the options and the switches amber lights turn on, I can hear the relays click but they are not showing in UConnect. I am going to give it some time as some said an hour or more but it seems they are working. I have not confirmed power to the individual wires yet, I want them showing in the radio first.

It took ~3 hours after the Dealer flashed my system to see the Aux menu under Settings.

 

[GeepinGeo]

Question, I keep reading about blown fuses in the install; are people not disconnecting both batteries? It's my understanding that you have to disconnect the at least the NEG. terminal of the 2nd battery from the actual main battery NEG. terminal to drop all current from the system.

I disconnected the negative from the battery and the negatives to the body ground (near the battery).

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