Dip Don

I installed my tow hitch today and was ready to dissasemble the trunk to connect the wiring harness when I decided to try and do it from underneath the car. In another post here about tow hitches, someone posted photos of the wire connection in the cargo area after they had removed the tool box and left hand tray. I noticed in the photo that the wire connector was close to the body hole with the rubber plug where the wiring runs through.

I removed the rubber plug while under the car and with a flashlight could see the end of the connector through the hole. The connector was about 6"-7" above the hole. The end of the connector is taped, with black electrical tape to a larger wiring harness. I used a "Slim Jim", for opening car doors, and duct taped a single sided razor blade to it. I was able to insert the "Slim Jim" through the hole and slice the electrical tape. The "Slim Jim" has a notched/hooked end and I used that to reach in, hook behind the connector and pull it toward the hole. ( A wire hangar with a hook bent into one end would also work.) The connector will come within 2" of the opening. I kept pressure/pulling on the connector while I inserted the hitch wire (male end) through the hole and was able to get the connector to slip into the female end. It stayed in place while I took a screwdriver and pushed it in until it locked.

Obviously this shortcut only works if you have the tow package with the wiring harness in the cargo storage area.

This post may sound complicated, but it took me longer to type this than it did to join the connectors from underneath.

Pookscar

Sounds like something a retired LASD SGT would do!:

nparmelee

We're installing the same hitch this weekend so this tip will hopefully be helpful to us, thanks!!!