Got a 97 orvis v8 from its first owner, build sheet shows heavy duty towing package and has the upgraded cooling system. Owner bought it off the showroom floor it had no hitch. I bought the correct one from the boneyard and ordered the correct 7 pin connector that goes from the hitch back to the factory connection, but I can't find the factory harness. On my ford's they usually tucked it up on a frame rail out of the way or behind the bumper, where is it hiding on a 1997 grand cherokee v8 upcountry?

 

not sure if its the same for 96-98, but on my 95 it was behind the passenger side interior panel in the trunk area. will post a picture in a little bit

 

alright got some pics. the wiring from the 7 way plug runs along the bumper and up thru a hole in the passenger side. pull your bumper cover off and you will see it, its a square hole. up inside the trunk area, with the panel pulled, you can fish the wire thru the hole. if the jeep came from the factory with trailer prep (but no hitch), the relay set should already be there. its the big black package seen here


it plugs into the harness here


the pigtail from the 7 way plugs in here

 

Thank you so much!

 

On my 97 ZJ, the lighting module was behind the spare tire mount in the panel on the DRIVER'S side. I really don't know what type this was because the trailer connector was cut off and there was a 14 ga. wire connected to the battery with a 30 amp fuse in it right at the battery. The wire looked like an aftermarket addition because it was tied to the frame underneath with cable ties. This may have been for trailer brakes, but I'm not sure.

 

a wire straight from the battery mightve been the constant 12v lead for the 7 pin.

 

You may be right! my Chevy truck had a 7 pin for a travel trailer with a battery onboard for the breakaway brake set. When we used it as a hunting camp, I wired a couple of interior lights to that battery. We recharged it by plugging in the truck.