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The current Grand Cherokee hitch installs behind the rear bumper cover and replaces the factory reinforcement beam as the structural receiver assembly. Reaching that area requires releasing the wheel-opening trim, disconnecting rear bumper electronics, removing the fascia, and moving the exhaust hangers before the hitch side plates can be installed inside the frame rails.

1. Releasing the Wheel Liners and Bumper Fasteners

Four fasteners are removed from the lower edge of the bumper cover, followed by the fasteners at the rear of both wheel-well liners. The wheel-opening trim is released from the bottom upward so the hidden fascia fastener on each side can be removed without breaking the white retaining clips.

2. Disconnecting Rear Electronics and Removing the Fascia

The electrical connectors behind the bumper are disconnected before the cover is moved. With the liftgate open, the plugs and upper fasteners are removed, along with the taillight access covers. The taillights can also be removed when necessary to release the fascia cleanly. The bumper cover is then worked free from the wheel openings toward the center and placed aside.

3. Moving the Exhaust Hangers and Removing the Bumper Beam

Grand Cherokee L models use two exhaust-hanger bolts on each side; two-row models use one hanger bolt beneath each frame rail. Those hangers are released so the hitch can occupy the frame-rail mounting area. The factory rear reinforcement beam is then unbolted and removed, exposing the open ends of the frame rails.

4. Installing the Hitch Side Plates Inside the Frame Rails

The hitch side plates slide into the frame rails rather than simply attaching below them. The lower carriage bolts are reached through the open rail ends, while pull wires guide the side bolts through the enclosed mounting locations when needed. Grand Cherokee L and two-row models use different hole positions in the side plates, so the correct set is selected before the hardware is tightened.

5. Reattaching the Exhaust and Applying Final Torque

The exhaust hangers are secured to the hitch side plates with the smaller carriage bolts. The primary half-inch hitch hardware is tightened to 110 lb-ft, while the smaller exhaust-hanger hardware is tightened to 178 in-lb. The bumper cover, electrical connectors, taillight trim, wheel-opening trim, liners, and retained fasteners are then reinstalled in reverse order.

6. Final Fit and Access Check

We confirm that the fascia is fully clipped into place, the wheel trim sits flush, the bumper electronics are reconnected, the exhaust has proper clearance, and the receiver is centered in the factory bumper opening. The result keeps the structural hitch assembly behind the fascia rather than hanging a full cross tube below the vehicle.