Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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willald, thanks after another comment I was going to see how I might be able to run this or I may look at a "pool noodle" along the edge of the hood. Thank you though, I appreciate it.
2007 Winnebago Sightseer 35J
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
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Alan_Hepburn
San Jose, Ca, USA
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When I used the magnetic lights on our Wrangler I ran the wire into the interior, through the passenger-side front door, then out through the rear tailgate. So the only wire exposed to wind buffeting was along the side of the hood. You could also run the wire under the hood if you want to take the trouble of lifting the hood. The weatherstripping on the front door and the rear tailgate glass is pliable enough to allow the wire to pass through without damage.
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Alan & Sandy Hepburn driving a 2007 Fleetwood Bounder 35E on a Workhorse chassis - Proud to be a Blue Star Family!
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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Alan_Hepburn, Thank you! I had tested it through the tailgate, and plan to do tha ton our upcoming trip. I need to look at the hood option. How did you run through the door? Window? On this trip I'm taking the Bikini top. Need to fish around a bit tonight.
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Alan_Hepburn
San Jose, Ca, USA
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Y-Guy - I ran the wires through the passenger front door about where the window frame causes the door angle to change. It looks like the gasket is a bit thicker at that point and it works well. Never had an issue with wires getting crushed or broken.
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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Alan_Hepburn, thank you that is helpful I'll check it out tonight when set everything up again. Much appreciated!
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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I added some insulation to help, still going to look at other options concerned about dirt getting in between.
![[image]](https://i.postimg.cc/xCt8DVMM/A9831-D3-D-BC9-D-4054-A324-90-D66737-E758.jpg)
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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Figured I'd follow up with our after trip report. All went very smooth, I was very conscious of having the Jeep behind me. I am used to towing as we've had a 4 place ATV trailer and a boat that I've towed behind, but for some reason having the Jeep back there made me more nervous. As somebody told me after the first trip you'll get a lot more relaxed and that was true. Keeping an eye out on the other idiots on the road and really having a plan for stops wasn't new, but it's been a few years since I had to think far ahead.
We generally fuel up at Costco, thankfully I've been to most on our route and knew the Costco Gas in Albany OR was better then Eugene or Salem. Our first camping spot in Eugene Armitage Park went perfect as did our week at Sea Perch in Yachats. The hosts at Sea Perch we're helping in letting me know where to turn into to disconnect. Our last stay at Detroit Lake, OR was a bit of a challenge but we made it work, should have stopped outside the CG to disconnect, we did our connecting there on the way out as it's flat.
The magnetic lights worked okay but users here wwere right about the rubbing. I plan to order the CoolTech JK Tow Harness Deluxe Tow Kit my mistake was I had pulled up the new JL harness and that just looks like a nightmare to install.
Next step is writing out a check list and laminating it so wife can help and we can both make sure we do it right.
Now a question. First time we stopped the pin was as seen in this photo, trying to get things loosened up was a pain. I was also concerned that so much force was riding on the clip. So after that I swapped the head so the clip is on the outside. I don't find any right or wrong way of doing this so checking to see if it matters or not. Thoughts?
![[image]](https://i.postimg.cc/W457dWJj/IMG-4373.jpg)
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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I wanted to come back and update this thread. After a couple trips with the magnetic light I saw what willald was talking about. I decided to order the CoolTech JK Tow Harness Kit (not the deluxe though). I then ordered Hopkins 47043 Flex-Coil Nite Glow 7 Blade to 4 Round Adapter
Installation was pretty straight forward as far as running the wires, I did run the wire through the frame using a fish wire which made for a very clean looking install. That was the easy part. I setup as per the directions and hooked up *fail* it was like Christmas lights flashing but not the right ones. I ended up scrapping the wiring hook connections for the 4 pin on the Jeep side and instead matched those up to what the Motorhome was sending out - everything worked. I've since read that others had the same issue.
Bottom line is it works and it's seemless now. I will be selling the magnetic lights as a friend needs them when towing.
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willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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Thanks for the update, and glad you got it straightened out. Hope you didn't scuff up the paint on your Jeep as bad as I did once many years ago, in learning that lesson about not laying wires across painted surfaces. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
We did the whole fishing wires through the frame, too, on our Jeep. That worked out really good, and made for a very clean installation. Went a lot easier than I thought it would. Good thing about Jeeps is, there is so much ground clearance underneath (even bone stock), crawling under it to do these things isn't that bad.
Now, we on to other mods. Just installed a backup camera on the Jeep (didn't have such from the factory), and put some grab handles on it. Have some mesh/sun screen tops on order, will get here tomorrow for upcoming trip to the beach. We ready to go.
Still want to eventually replace the front bumper and possibly the back one with something more rugged.
I'm finding out just why JEEP stands for 'Just empty every pocket'.
Will and Cheryl
2021 Newmar Baystar 3014 on F53 (7.3 V8) Chassis ("Brook")
2018 Jeep Wrangler JK ("Wilbur")
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