Hard Top Wiring?

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makorider

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May 31, 2018
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Basking Ridge & Chadwick Island, NJ
So since picking up my 05 Rocky Mountain in late spring, I've been keeping an eye on CL for a hard top.

Missed quite a few, seems around here in Jersey, if there is one priced reasonably, you better move and move fast or its gone.

Anyhow, finally put one on my trailer yesterday and brought it home.

Seller said it was from an 02, but he didn't seem 100% on that. Looking at the picture of the plug, can anyone confirm?

So I'm trying to figure out what this wiring project is worth to me. Obviously, the harness is no longer available...even if I find one at a junkyard, seems after searching this forum, wiring it in was pretty frustrating for those WITH instructions. Anyone have instructions left over?

Its beyond my comprehension that every wrangler doesn't leave the factory with wiring in place. And even more so that the part is not available any longer!

Lastly, does that part 82208907AB include the dash switches, or is that yet another part that is needed?

Thanks in advance guys

Pic of plug:
hardtopplug.jpg
 
i’ll be watching this one also

I have a 2002 that I just got a hardtop for
and mine has no wiring harness (at least from what I can tell) for the top

I keep looking at it and reading online things about it

I think im going to just wire it in to a simple on off switch from a 12v source
flip the switch to the on position to use the wiper

I dont know why it would have to be more complicated than that

unless im missing something
 
So I’m actually in the process of converting my Jeep over to factory hardtop wiring.

I’ve already done the dash harness (cluster/radio/AC/front speakers/courtesy lights/rear defrost/rear wiper/cig lighter) which I got from eBay and now my defrost switch functions on its factory timer built into the IPC, after adding a relay and a fuse to the PDC. I can’t speak for the wiper switch because it has a safety built in that only allows it to work when the hardtop is actually hooked up (to prevent accidentally pumping water into the cab. I’m waiting on a rear tub harness I got from deadjeep that I got for $35 (tail lights/hardtop wiring/roll bar wiring/washer line/washer pump plug)and I’m picking up my hardtop on Tuesday.

Once I get everything converted over I’m going to do detailed write ups on the dash harness and the rear tub harness on two separate posts. So keep an eye out in the coming week or two ;)
 
Here is the factory harness off my 03 & the harness on my 02 hardtop. It appears you have pre-2003 top. I believe there are kits that you can install that come with everything, but I don't want to link the wrong item.
20181029_133946[1].jpg
20181029_133955[1].jpg
 
Jamison C said:
Once I get everything converted over I’m going to do detailed write ups on the dash harness and the rear tub harness on two separate posts. So keep an eye out in the coming week or two ;)
Click to expand...

This would be much appreciated, especially since this question is asked very, very frequently, and I never have a thread to direct people towards.
 
makorider said:
Have thought about that. But I don't think its that simple...wiper has wires for on, park, etc.

I'm more interested in the defrost, to be honest
Click to expand...
it actually is that simple

today i went and pulled the plug at the wiper motor just to test it to make sure it worked before i invest more time and money into it

so on the motor side of the plug at the wiper motor
the center is ground
one side is constant 12v
the other side is 12v when switched

so if you were to wire in a new on/off switch the rear wiper motor would work just fine

I have a line on some factory wire harnesses off of a wreck jeep
but if that doesnt work out
im just going to wire the rear wiper to a simple on/off toggle switch

im not worried about the other functions of it etc
 
c_anthony27 said:
it actually is that simple

today i went and pulled the plug at the wiper motor just to test it to make sure it worked before i invest more time and money into it

so on the motor side of the plug at the wiper motor
the center is ground
one side is constant 12v
the other side is 12v when switched

so if you were to wire in a new on/off switch the rear wiper motor would work just fine

I have a line on some factory wire harnesses off of a wreck jeep
but if that doesnt work out
im just going to wire the rear wiper to a simple on/off toggle switch

im not worried about the other functions of it etc
Click to expand...

Well thats easy enough.

How then is the defroster handled? I'm sure the amps have to be throttled back somehow so it doesnt burn out
 
makorider said:
Well thats easy enough.

How then is the defroster handled? I'm sure the amps have to be throttled back somehow so it doesnt burn out
Click to expand...
Defroster is easy or complicated depending on how you want it to function. With factory setup, the defroster functions on a 10 minute timer built into the instrument panel cluster from the switch, so it isn’t always on in case you forget to turn it off. The signal is then sent to a relay in the power distribution center which opens and controls the flow of power to the actual defroster. Once the timer is up, the signal from the IPC stops and the relay closes off power. You could do a simple on/off switch with a tapped in relay from the battery directly to the rear window, which would be easiest. Or I believe there are timers built for this type of thing that you could tie in with the wiring so you don’t have to keep an eye on it if the switch is still on or not.
 
Last edited:
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Regarding the washers, it's kind of obvious but you need to pick up a washer bottle that has 2 pumps. The higher of the 2 pumps is for the rear window. As your washer fluid depletes the rear window will be the first one to run out of washer fluid.
 
I got lucky last night and found someone willing to part with their harness. New old stock, still in the packaging. Looks like it is for 03+. So I will need the conversion plug and wiring. I believe qtec sells it for $20.
 
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If anyone else is looking
I found a place in Kingston PA called Briskey Mountain 4wd that has a ton of jeep stuff

I got a complete OEM take out harness (body side full harness)
washer fluid container with the dual pumps
and switch panel all for $100 shipped to me.
It showed up in 2 days

took a look at it last night and it looks pretty straight forward Im going to install it all today and see how it goes
 
c_anthony27 said:
took a look at it last night and it looks pretty straight forward Im going to install it all today and see how it goes
Click to expand...

Follow up when you can. There are 4 or 5 wires that need inserted into a plug somewhere. I think there were two blue wires and maybe a yellow...cant remember off the top of my head
 
c_anthony27 said:
If anyone else is looking
I found a place in Kingston PA called Briskey Mountain 4wd that has a ton of jeep stuff

I got a complete OEM take out harness (body side full harness)
washer fluid container with the dual pumps
and switch panel all for $100 shipped to me.
It showed up in 2 days

took a look at it last night and it looks pretty straight forward Im going to install it all today and see how it goes
Click to expand...
You need a new dash harness for the hardtop portion of the body side harness to work correctly if it's an OEM harness (not the add on wiring kit), unless you're wiring up your own switches. The OEM switches are integrated into the A/C dash harness which also runs to your IPC and communicates with your PDC and fuse block. I'm doing a write up probably next weekend on how to properly do the conversion.
Dash 1.jpg
 
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Jamison C said:
You need a new dash harness for the hardtop portion of the body side harness to work correctly if it's an OEM harness (not the add on wiring kit), unless you're wiring up your own switches. The OEM switches are integrated into the A/C dash harness which also runs to your IPC and communicates with your PDC and fuse block. I'm doing a write up probably next weekend on how to properly do the conversion.
View attachment 61274
Click to expand...

Yes you are correct

I took a look at everything today
and unfortunately I do not have the pigtail connectors in the dash harness for the switches

So i guess I have a few options

1 - find a stock OEM harness in good condition and swap that ?

2 - wire up the stock switches that I have from a 12v source and splice them in to the take out harness from that I got for the hard top

3 - Just hardwire in a simple on/off toggle switch and wire that directly in to the rear wiper motor plug
and just use it that way. (im not too concerned with the rear defroster or rear wiper fluid functions)

I would like to see what you did on yours though
 
I went and checked the add on harness I just bought and it includes those pigtails. Wierd that any harness would come without them. Here they are fitting perfectly in the dash switches that were included.
4ADDD2E4-1198-48F3-901F-4B5AE6F49352.jpeg
9E09A575-E832-4E6A-B8DB-D76E5A1AF81A.jpeg
 
makorider said:
So, as an update, I think it will be easier to wire everything myself.

Found this for the defroster, for those in the same boat

View attachment 61054
They have several models with different/programable timers, and pretty cheap

https://www.frostfighter.com/thermasync-defroster-controls.htm
Click to expand...

Did you end up getting this? If so how was the install?

I picked up a used Bestop hardtop today pretty cheap and it has defrost on the window but I don't have the factory wiring and it doesn't look like they make the wiring kit for the top anymore either.

Also, I'd really like to use a factory switch if possible. Anyone have any knowledge on doing this kind of wire up?
 
Adam Johnson said:
Did you end up getting this? If so how was the install?

I picked up a used Bestop hardtop today pretty cheap and it has defrost on the window but I don't have the factory wiring and it doesn't look like they make the wiring kit for the top anymore either.

Also, I'd really like to use a factory switch if possible. Anyone have any knowledge on doing this kind of wire up?
Click to expand...
I’ll try to whip up a diagram later tonight on how the stock switch/relay setup works.
 
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