Mopar factory trailer brake controller - my impressions and review

[Stevevdbh]

So I just got my JT Willys ecodiesel and have been following the threads on the Mopar brake controller pretty closely. I ordered mine before my truck arrived and on sighing day the controller was also ready for pickup. The dealer said that the “required wire harness was back ordered and that they could not install the controller that day. I showed them the star report and told them it was not needed but they pretty much ignored me and my advice, after all what do I know. In fairness I used to be a mechanic and before that a geek squad agent before my Airforce career so honestly, I get that logic. However I told them to give me the part and I’d install it myself. Couldn’t help but send pictures to my sales guy and service department for funssies. It installed pretty much perfectly, no need to swap the controller around on the bracket, and the knob now comes put together properly from the factory so it seems all the kinks have been worked out. I tested it on my travel trailer because it’s the biggest trailer I own and it worked exactly as it should. It even works when the button is pressed manually. I’m sorry people have had issues with this controller but on the 2021 model year it appears to work exactly as intended. I wish the knob was rubberized like the other ones on the dash, but it honestly looks so factory when I showed my wife she couldn’t tell what I’d been doing for the last two hours with the dash pulled apart, it blends right into the truck perfectly. If anyone has questions about install on a 2021 JT or functionality please feel free to message me, I’d be happy to walk you through it.

Got the controller and a 2021 JTRD and sounds like it can be installed and work just fine? Right?

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[ShadowsPapa]

Got the controller and a 2021 JTRD and sounds like it can be installed and work just fine? Right?

Yes - 2021 models should be fine - as well as any JT 2020 model year MANUFACTURED in 2020.
It is only the 2020 models made in 2019 that have the issue (thus, it's the truck, not the controller)

 

[Shack]

Got the controller and a 2021 JTRD and sounds like it can be installed and work just fine? Right?

Correct, and you won’t have to mod anything to do the install, just do your stretches before you contort yourself under that driver side dash. You’ll have to pull out at least one Christmas tree style zip tie clip from the main wire harness, it kind of shows it in the instructions when reattached to the bracket bolt.

 

[Stevevdbh]

Yes - 2021 models should be fine - as well as any JT 2020 model year MANUFACTURED in 2020.
It is only the 2020 models made in 2019 that have the issue (thus, it's the truck, not the controller)

Thank you.

 

[Stevevdbh]

Correct, and you won’t have to mod anything to do the install, just do your stretches before you contort yourself under that driver side dash. You’ll have to pull out at least one Christmas tree style zip tie clip from the main wire harness, it kind of shows it in the instructions when reattached to the bracket bolt.

How long do you think the install takes? I will have the dealer do mine and was thinking 2 hours?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

How long do you think the install takes? I will have the dealer do mine and was thinking 2 hours?

2 hours tops for one that's done it before.
Some owners have installed 'em in 2 hours - not having done them before.

 

[Shack]

I agree, two hours tops, but from my experience with dealers, actual time and charged time may very lol. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the install and the part itself cost about the same. 600 total.

 

[Shack]

I live in the Nashville area if anyone nearby needs help installing this I’d be happy to show them the way.

 

[xerootg]

I can confirm that the controller works perfectly in my 2021 JTRD, I've been towing with it all day. Install time at my dealership was around an hour and a half.

 

[RedRaptorJT]

As per Benny @AllMoparParts.com, there is a TSB issued to update the software on the ABS module on pre-2020 builds that will make the controller & interface cable work.

 

[jwilson2899]

As per Benny @AllMoparParts.com, there is a TSB issued to update the software on the ABS module on pre-2020 builds that will make the controller & interface cable work.

Woohoo, finally a solution. I’m betting @ShadowsPapa will be first in line

I might put the OEM cable back in mine and have them do the TSB when I take it in for the rear window (if it ever arrrives )

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Woohoo, finally a solution. I’m betting @ShadowsPapa will be first in line

I might put the OEM cable back in mine and have them do the TSB when I take it in for the rear window (if it ever arrrives )

THANK YOU - HUGE THANK YOU!! For the heads-up on this. I will be contacting my dealer ASAP.

I knew it - I just knew it - the difference is the ABS module. It almost had to be as that's what was kicking the codes! And - what else would they have changed to handle this CORRECTLY and not as a hack?
This is why I waited and didn't jump on a patch as in cable or diode. They owed it to us - plus, I want the truck to match current configurations.

I really owe Jeff for all of the work he's done on this issue, from a year ago and the other 3rd party controllers, to this. It takes dedication to follow through like that.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

As per Benny @AllMoparParts.com, there is a TSB issued to update the software on the ABS module on pre-2020 builds that will make the controller & interface cable work.

Where's his post on this? Did he give a link to the TSB? I want to send the info to my dealer who was SOOO nice to work with me on the issue - I told them if I heard anything at all I'd pass it along so they'd not struggle should anyone else come in.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Where's his post on this? Did he give a link to the TSB? I want to send the info to my dealer who was SOOO nice to work with me on the issue - I told them if I heard anything at all I'd pass it along so they'd not struggle should anyone else come in.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...er-brake-controllers.36201/page-2#post-616215

 

[ShadowsPapa]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/mopar-trailer-brake-controllers.36201/page-2#post-616416

Thanks for link - mega-thanks to Benny, too!
So far no PDF or link to one - I'd like to reward my dealer's tech with the info since the guy spent a ton of time on mine and was really super nice about it.

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