Brake Controller and Trailer Wiring Installation on 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

To install a brake contorller on your 1997 Grand Cherokee, you'd first need to install a 4-pole connector, using the Tow Ready # 118349.

How you'd proceed next will depend on the connector use on the trailer you'll want to pull. I'd recommend using a 7-way because it's the most common. You can always use an adapter like part # HM47570 to convert it to anything else you'd need.

To actuate the electric brakes on the trailer, you'd need a brake controller. I'd recommend going with a proportional controller. A proportional controller features an internal accelerometer that can determine how quickly the tow vehicle is stopping. It will then send the correct amount of voltage to the trailer brakes so the vehicle and trailer brake at the same rate for safer, more predictable braking. The Tekonsha Primus, part # TK90160 is a reasonably priced proportional controller that would work very well for you.

The older time-delayed controllers are indeed a bit less expensive, but they will always send the same amount of voltage you've preset to the trailer brakes, regardless of whether you've tapped the pedal or you're standing on the brake with both feet to avoid that herd of water buffalo that are stampeding across the road in front of you. (Don't you hate when that happens?)

You'd then need one of our Brake Controller Installation Kits, # ETBC7 for a 7-way or # ETBC6 for a 6-way.
The install kits include an adapter to convert the 4-pole into a 6 or a 7 way, plus all the wire, hardware and circuit breakers needed to install a brake controller and a 7-way on your Grand Cherokee.

I'll link you to a video showing the kit being used to install a brake controller on a 2008 Jeep Liberty. The vehicle is different than yours, but the procedure would be pretty similar.

expert reply by: Mike L

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