Just put a down payment and finalized the deal for a new '14 SRT coming in next week. Thing is, none of the ones coming in to any of the dealers around here in Chicago have the towing package. I'll never use the hitch but I really like how the cover has SRT etched in it.
Does anyone know what the rear bumper will look like with no hitch or have a pic possibly?
Is it possible to switch out the lower fascia with the trailer hitch fascia?
If you look at the standard features list on Jeep's website it shows Trailer Tow Group IV & Trailer Sway Dampening as standard. This made me think that all SRT's might have the hitch and cover and that the Tow Package added heavy duty cooling and full size spare. The Jeep Build & Price options section doesn't mention cooling or spare in the tow package. I ordered the tow package just to be safe.
If anyone is interested . . . I looked through the options on the '14 SRT - the tow package is actually an additional option as well as the lower fascia. However, the only difference on the lower fascia is the hitch cover has SRT etched in it. It's the same middle cover just the non-tow is plain and the tow cover has SRT etched in it. The etched cover cost $175 and is a direct fit. The hitch can be added as well later if you want but the harness can not be added. Also, the new electronic 8 speed trans will get messed up if you try to tow so it's not recommended.
Bottom line - if you're like me and could care less about the hitch but want the etched cover it's a simple direct replacement for $175.
If anyone is interested . . . I looked through the options on the '14 SRT - the tow package is actually an additional option as well as the lower fascia. However, the only difference on the lower fascia is the hitch cover has SRT etched in it. It's the same middle cover just the non-tow is plain and the tow cover has SRT etched in it. The etched cover cost $175 and is a direct fit. The hitch can be added as well later if you want but the harness can not be added. Also, the new electronic 8 speed trans will get messed up if you try to tow so it's not recommended.
Bottom line - if you're like me and could care less about the hitch but want the etched cover it's a simple direct replacement for $175.
You dont need the harness its already there, even if you dont have the factory hitch option. All you need to buy is the factory electrical female plug that snaps into the receiver. The pig tail for the trailer lights is wire tied right behind the hitch cover.
I dont know where you came up with towing messing up the new tranny, but in case you didnt notice they actually raised the towing capacity to over 7000lbs with the 2014's from 5000lbs with the old tranny.
Yea, I'm well aware of the extra towing weight capability as well as all the other many upgrades over the '13s. I'm just going by what my dealer told me who researched it extensively straight from jeep. I don't really care b/c I would never tow anything with this jeep anyway. I'm only interested in getting the etched cover. I was just passing along what I was told in case anyone was interested.
The tow package rear cover is not the same as the standard SRT rear cover. The one with the SRT impression bows out further to clear the receiver on the tow hitch. It can still be used as the spring clip spacing is the same and the one I received did not come with those spring clips, so I had to push out the ones on the original for use on the new hitch cover.
My SRT is a 2013 and the trailer wiring harness was already on the Jeep and is secured up behind the rear bumper cover. I did install the the tow hitch and it is a PITA because the entire rear valance needs to be removed for the hitch installation. You have to take the rear bumper cover off so you can remove the standard rear bumper support that is bolted inside the frame rails.
The hitch replaces that brace and it does have some heavy duty construction. The rear bumper brace has two bolts on either side holding it in place and the tow hitch uses three bolts per side to secure it in place. Both the hitch and the rear bumper brace have nuts welded to them and the bolts go through the frame rails into these weld nuts. If installing a hitch, you also will need to get the pig tail that plugs into the factory harness and gives you both the four and seven pin connectors. :thumbsup:
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