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12V outlet in cargo area

73K views 65 replies 37 participants last post by  javiergonzalez76 
#1 ·
I searched on this forum but couldn't find it:

When I remove the panels on the passenger side in the rear cargo area of my JK, I can see two unused plugs, a smaller and a bigger one. I believe they are for an optional subwoofer (which I don't have).

Which one could I use to put a 12V outlet into the cargo area? Non-ignition powered is fine by me, I bought a 12V marine-grade plug with a water-tight cover. My primary use would be to power a small air compressor.

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
The grey connector can be used for a 12v outlet as that is its purpose, typically default position is on whether or not ignition is turned on, the fuse for it under the hood is a 2 position fuse which you can switch to ignition controlled if you wish.

This kit https://www.quadratec.com/products/96080_9801.htm would even work to tap into it if you dont wish to splice the factory wiring. Otherwise that also gives you an idea of the connector I am referring to as well.
 
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#3 ·
Expanding on what XmentalX said, the connector you want to play with is the smaller of the two. It is powered by fuse M7 which is the only two-position fuse in the block. On my jeep, I just cut off the factory connector and crimped on female spade connectors to mate with the marine surface mounted dual-outlet block. The block is mounted to the rear of the sports bar on top of the inside plastic liner (the one that you removed to access the wires). By the way, jeep uses 20 ga wire for most power runs. Most jeepers would use 14 ga wire or greater for power wiring. So a standard Sta-Con for jeep wires would be a red colored connector but 14 ga wire requires a blue Sta-Con. To to make up a blue bullet or flange on the small wire, strip the wire long and double it back, the extra thickness of the doubled wire will allow it to be crimped down in a blue Sta-Con.
 

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#6 ·
Yes for some folks. There are other threads on this forum about this subject where it was reported that the wires weren't there or that the wires were there but had no voltage to them. I have no idea for the why or where about that. (Year, Model, Option, etc.)

I have a '15 Willys that came without the sub or rear outlet but my jeep had the wires for them hidden under the plastic panel in the cargo area. The Sub wire was obvious but the power connector wasn't. It turned out that it ran from the RR corner harness forward between the roll bar and the tub and then went inwards and was tucked under some carpet. So I pulled the 12v outlet harness back to the rear to install my outlet.

You would have to take the panel off and look to see if you have the wires. At least one of those other threads have instructions on how to remove the seat-belt housing and side panel to get to them.

Happy Trails,
Bob
 
#9 ·
My 15 had the fuse the wires were live when I found the connector I ended up using it for some auxiliary backup lights.
 
#12 ·
pismo61 Don't know either as you have a '15 too. The M7 fuse has two positions, one for always on and one for ignition only. My fuse was blown and it wasn't obvious when looking down at it while trouble shooting. Well, not obvious until I took it out and looked at it under better lighting. I don't know if the original owner blew it or if I blew the fuse while trouble shooting. Replaced the fuse and then the wire was hot in the three conductor plug. (The larger plug with 8 wires is for the sub.)
 
#14 ·
I have a '17 Sport (not an S). The wires are there in the back, the fuse is there, power is there at the block for M7, the fuse is good, but no power at the termination point.

I spoke with a lead tech at the dealer and he advised, the harness used in the rear of the jeep is the same regardless of the model. That is why the 12v adapter and the sub harnesses are there. However, the harnesses used in the front are not the same...it depends on the options.

I'd be curious to hear if any other late model base Sport (non S) owners have the power at the termination point in the rear.
 
#20 ·
Ok this might have been answered. Been putting off doing this but had time today. My plug wasn't under the plastic it was just under the carpet up to. ? Small 3 connector plug with 2 wires, black and blue with red stripe? No voltage there so went to fuse box. Fuse was there so I moved it into second position still nothing to the rear. Gave up....Does someone have an answer?
 
#21 ·
It appears that some styles (sub-models) don't have all the wiring. Maybe early JK's too - just don't know. For the '15's, there are only one connector between that plug and the fuse box. So if the plug is there with wires then I'd have to think that the wire from the fuse box to the firewall bulkhead connector is missing. I haven't looked at other model years other than the 15 but this diagram would imply that all 15 wranglers are wired this way - yet they are not.
 

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#27 ·
I have a 2013. Same Power to the fuse, nothing to the back. I see that someone said there is a rear harness and forward harness. My question, does anyone know where the harnesses connect in the middle? I added a rear sub, but went off an aftermarket amp. I want to get the 12v connector hooked up, and looks like the front half was not there. If I can find where the harness goes together, I can run new wires to the front. Thanks for any possible help. Thanks
 
#28 ·
Just to be clear, the gray blue connector in the picture is the +12V power. (It was a black connector in my '15 wrangler.) The larger gray connector is for the factory sub. If you have the small connector but do not have power on it and fuse M07 is good, then I'd think that the harness from the fuse box to the firewall is missing the wires you need. This presumption is based on the '15's wiring diagram that shows one in-line connector at the firewall between fuse M07 and the rear connector. Frankly, running a fused wire from the battery or the post in the fuse box would be easier than trying to upgrade the harness.
 

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#30 ·
Alright, 14 JKU sport, I have the gray 6 pin harness but not the smaller blue harness. Traced all the way up to the panel between the passenger doors, nothing. The wiring that goes up the roll bar in the back are yellow. So, can I use the gray connector for 12v power or not?
 
#32 ·
Sorry but there is no power on that connector - it's for the factory sub that you don't have. You will have to run a wire from the fuse box back to where ever you want to mount your DC outlet. You can put a Tap-A-Fuse on fuse M07 because that fuse will give you a choice of ACC or Batt power for your outlet. Or you could just come off the post with an in-line fuse for just Batt power. I've wired both our Wrangles with dual outlets, one outlet on M07 and one off of the stud/post for higher current.
 
#35 ·

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#37 ·
2012 JKU. After reading this I just went out and opened my fuse box under the hood and found the M7 fuse and moved it over. Now the 12volt outlet in the cargo area is only powered while the Jeep is on. I use that for running a cooler and have forgotten to unplug the cool to come out to a dead battery. Thanks for the input.
 
#40 ·
No, your black connector is the +12 volt connector. My connector was black like yours but my wife's was gray as you can see in the picture. At any rate, the three conductor connector with two wires going to it is the one you want. You'll find some there is some slack in the wires after you undo some of the wrapping tape. I just cut off the jeep connector and installed a surface mount marine 12 volt socket for my power outlet.
 

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