Junkyard upgrades - which options can be easily added

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:10 pm

My Jeep started out life as a sport with the only option being the automatic transmission. Not wanting to buy another Jeep and because i like doing things others say i can't, I decided to add options after the fact from donors at my local pick and pull. Below is a list of what i have done so far. If anyone else is interested, let me know and I can give you more info on how I did it. You'll need either a dealer tool or other app that will let you change options in the TIPM.

Wiring info
Most of these require some wiring to be added. Luckily many of these options are prewired into the main body harness and only need a few connectors repinned. Rather than try to pull the whole harness at the yard, i just get the end connectors. You can then unpin the donor harness, splice it on the end of a custom harness, then re-pin it into the right spot on your Jeep.

No dealer tool needed:
Garage door opener sunvisor
Fold flat seat.
Rear door tweeters
Auto dimming rearview mirror
Cruise control

Dealer tool (or equivalent ) needed
Steering wheel buttons
Auto headlamps
Fog Lamps
Remote Start (need to buy WCM new from dealer)
Compass+Cluster (this one requires advanced electronics tools to copy the odometer)

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:26 pm

Some others I might look for:

- heated or leather seats
- inverter under rear seat & outlet on rear of center console
- radio/gps upgrade
- subwoofer on right side of trunk area
- jack on left side of trunk area if you are missing yours
- full size spare tire
- skid plates (radiator, engine, t-case, trans, and gas tank)
- aux cooling fan & fan clutch
- factory tow hitch & Mopar hitch wiring harness
- roof rack side rails and cross bars
- Mopar splash guards
- Mopar front bumper bar (a $500 option)

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:18 pm

Funny you should mention some of those, I have the inverter, trim panel, and switch sitting on my garage floor waiting for me to get around to it. I'm also working on adding the trailer tow circuits. I need to make a trip to the junkyard to get terminals to add to the TIPM connectors.

I've thought about the sub+rear trim, however you'd have to use a different amp. The factory amp would require you running wire from the radio to the amp, then back to the speakers.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:31 pm

I’ve added a lot of factory options to my Sport over the years, including a few things that would only come on the Limiteds (heated seats, cabin air filter housing). But whenever something breaks and needs replacing, I am always going to hit the JY for a used Mopar replacement if a new Mopar part is out of the budget. That strategy ALWAYS works out better than a new aftermarket part in my experience. I have replaced CV’s, door latches, window switches, window regulators, and more this way. I like to reuse and recycle. :mrgreen:

Chereveco9 · **Joined:** Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:53 pm **Posts:** 22

You're all lucky, in my case, only buying things on ebay, Amazon, rock auto, and Mopar Warehouse..., Then export/import to Costa Rica...

I have already bought a new steering rack, so I have it ready when the actual one finishes it's life... Already producing an internal sound ( feels like a failing tie rod or ball joint )...

Sent from my SNE-LX3 using Tapatalk

vii · **Joined:** Mon May 24, 2021 8:29 pm **Posts:** 12

sharing with you where i buy mopar parts and accessories https://parts.allmoparparts.com/ hope this helps!

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 10, 2021 8:30 pm

I know I said i wouldn't, but there was a fresh KA with the premium sound in the junkyard, so I pulled the amp and sub. 5 hours of wiring later, i have it working. I used two 9 conductor speaker cables to run from the radio back to the amp and then the amp back to the radio connector. It works without any reprogramming, but I'm not sure if it would long term, you'd need an app like parscan to add the amplifier in the TIPM.

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:09 pm

Foot well lighting was one of the first upgrades I did. I think all you have to do is buy the lights and install with 1 screw.

If your trying to add the factory tow lighting, I would advise against it. Just buy the etrailer solid state add on wiring. the factory relays are a pain in the butt and hard to troubleshoot.

Forcesquared · **Posted:** Tue Oct 26, 2021 4:03 pm

Which models came with an inverter? I have a couple pull-a-parts nearby and would chance a look.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2022 11:45 pm

Forcesquared wrote:

Which models came with an inverter? I have a couple pull-a-parts nearby and would chance a look.

The 2008’s. For some reason they were not included in later years.

Junkyard upgrades - which options can be easily added

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