The 2023 Towing Saga Part 2 - Finally good news!

[Telly1234]

I just did mine. Took me ~3 hours or so but I'm pretty meticulous and took my time. I did NOT have a lift or even ramps and it was non-issue. I also didn't have muffler pulling tool. Those took a bit of time with different screwdrivers and plastic tools to pry off. Also --- you probably don't need to bend those pins much (if at all). I did borrow a torque wrench and glad I did because a few of the bolts required much tighter than I would have done them without a torque wrench

I'm super happy I didn't pay a dealer to do it. The YouTube video of the guy doing it didn't match everything for my 2024 SX X-Line. But it did help see what all was entailed.

Jump in and do it yourself! It's not a big deal if you're handy like you said.

Did you use S9TOW-POWER? I've been trying to confirm that it's the same kit that's used for 2024. All the threads in here and Reddit are on 2023 and most of the aftermarket supply sites are saying it's been discontinued. Found a S9TOW-POWER kit on KiaPartsNow that is reasonably priced just wanted to make sure before pulling the trigger.

 

[Deb in Bailey]

Did you use S9TOW-POWER? I've been trying to confirm that it's the same kit that's used for 2024. All the threads in here and Reddit are on 2023 and most of the aftermarket supply sites are saying it's been discontinued. Found a S9TOW-POWER kit on KiaPartsNow that is reasonably priced just wanted to make sure before pulling the trigger.

Not who you were asking, but if you look at the original letter from Kia to Dealers, the kit including the latch was for all 2023s and the early MY2024s (built before October, 2023). It's my understanding that 2024s built after the date in that letter already have what they need for the latch.

 

[Telly1234]

Not who you were asking, but if you look at the original letter from Kia to Dealers, the kit including the latch was for all 2023s and the early MY2024s (built before October, 2023). It's my understanding that 2024s built after the date in that letter already have what they need for the latch.

Thanks. Yeah, I saw that and it gave me enough confidence to purchase the kit. I just liked hearing from someone that actually put it on a 2024 themselves. The rationale side of me says not much really changed over the year, but you never know. And I have no idea why they're discontinuing the kits, unless they're just trying to parse the components out separately to make more money. Or make more people go into the dealer for over-priced installation costs.

 

[Deb in Bailey]

Thanks. Yeah, I saw that and it gave me enough confidence to purchase the kit. I just liked hearing from someone that actually put it on a 2024 themselves. The rationale side of me says not much really changed over the year, but you never know. And I have no idea why they're discontinuing the kits, unless they're just trying to parse the components out separately to make more money. Or make more people go into the dealer for over-priced installation costs.

Well, I didn't do it myself, but I had it put on my 2024 last fall once it was available.
Nothing is different between the 2023s and 2024s (except cosmetic differences).

I have no idea why they are discontinuing it, but if I had to guess, it's because it isn't as needed any more. Or else they are just selling the pieces separately now. Most people with 2023s or early 2024s who couldn't order the hitch as a PIO, have had it put on DIO (or installed it themselves) since it became available. The kit with the latch isn't needed for cars built October 2023 or later.

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[ZeroG]

Did you use S9TOW-POWER? I've been trying to confirm that it's the same kit that's used for 2024. All the threads in here and Reddit are on 2023 and most of the aftermarket supply sites are saying it's been discontinued. Found a S9TOW-POWER kit on KiaPartsNow that is reasonably priced just wanted to make sure before pulling the trigger.

I believe I tried to order from Kia Parts Now and they said it's no longer avail and replaced by a new kit without the power latch (and it was more $).

 

[Telly1234]

I believe I tried to order from Kia Parts Now and they said it's no longer avail and replaced by a new kit without the power latch (and it was more $).

You're the second person to mention having an order cancelled. I already received my notification that my order verification has been approved, whatever that means, so I guess we'll see. That'd be a shame it's a decent price and far cheaper than any of the dealers around me.

 

[sm11963]

Did you use S9TOW-POWER? I've been trying to confirm that it's the same kit that's used for 2024. All the threads in here and Reddit are on 2023 and most of the aftermarket supply sites are saying it's been discontinued. Found a S9TOW-POWER kit on KiaPartsNow that is reasonably priced just wanted to make sure before pulling the trigger.

Just FYI KiaPartsNow doesn’t actually have S9TOW-POWER, they will just cancel your order once you place it. I tried twice lol

But do give it a try and let us know if it somehow works for you, maybe you’ll have more luck!

 

[Telly1234]

Just FYI KiaPartsNow doesn’t actually have S9TOW-POWER, they will just cancel your order once you place it. I tried twice lol

But do give it a try and let us know if it somehow works for you, maybe you’ll have more luck!

Damn, already ordered. Where did you get yours from, dealership?

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[sm11963]

Damn, already ordered. Where did you get yours from, dealership?

Yeah I lucked out that one of the nearby dealership had 1 left in stock.

 

[Telly1234]

Just FYI KiaPartsNow doesn’t actually have S9TOW-POWER, they will just cancel your order once you place it. I tried twice lol

But do give it a try and let us know if it somehow works for you, maybe you’ll have more luck!

Well, they didn't cancel it, but they're just now getting back to me to ask for more money for shipping. An additional $180.

I tried talking to customer service, but the service element was lacking. They just said pay the extra money or we'll cancel. So I cancelled.

They took forever to respond, and wouldn't let me pickup directly (I live an hour away). So I'm assuming a significant part of their business is as a middle man that doesn't keep stock of a lot of the things they sell and just purchase it after you buy it from them and add a markup. Pretty shitty experience all around with these guys, KiaPartsNow.

 

[Telluride2024]

Has anyone been able to source just the 2023+ bumper plate without the tow hitch? Appears to be p/n S9F61AU760 per earlier post on this thread. I haven't been able to find a source yet.

any luck finding a part number for bumper hitch cover only? I need one for a 2024. I already install the OEM hitch and wiring kit. I ordered bumper cover S9f61-au060 but appears fits the 2022 not 2023 on up

 

[2020Telly]

any luck finding a part number for bumper hitch cover only? I need one for a 2024. I already install the OEM hitch and wiring kit. I ordered bumper cover S9f61-au060 but appears fits the 2022 not 2023 on up

Look at post #306 of this thread.

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[Telluride2024]

Look at post #306 of this thread.

Thank you. A dealer finally was able to see that part number in the system but says still not able to order. I trimmed existing cover to fit factory hitch and harness, which looks really good.

 

[Williamtell]

So does the Kia come with a pigtail to install electric brakes?

 

[Telluride2024]

So does the Kia come with a pigtail to install electric brakes?

I ordered the factory wiring kit Feb 2024 and came with pigtail for brake controller

 

[OldPilot]

I ordered the factory wiring kit Feb 2024 and came with pigtail for brake controller

Does your car have the LED tail lights? If so, the harness you got is probably the one I need. 7-wire trailer connection, right? Maybe the main harness plus a brake controller pigtail?

My research has led me to harnesses with the prefix #S9F67 but various other numbers, like "#S9F67-AC701." Can you give us the part number(s) in the kit you bought?

TIA

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[Telluride2024]

Does your car have the LED tail lights? If so, the harness you got is probably the one I need. 7-wire trailer connection, right? Maybe the main harness plus a brake controller pigtail?

My research has led me to harnesses with the prefix #S9F67 but various other numbers, like "#S9F67-AC701." Can you give us the part number(s) in the kit you bought?

TIA

S9F67-AC701 is wiring kit I ordered. This has the wire controller box inside the vehicle by the jack vs under in the weather. Came with all plugs, rubber grommets etc along with good instructions. Brake controller plug also. Yes I have the LED tail lights. Yes 7 wire connection.

I bought the factory hitch from Kia. Could not get bumper cover for the 2024 (S9f61-au160). I trimmed factory cover and can not really tell.

 

[OldPilot]

Thanks very much. I have a Curt hitch to install and will order that harness. Planning to just modify the bumper cover. Not sure I'll ever have to deal with trailer brakes but I don't want to limit myself given all the work to get a towing setup installed.

 

[pouduh]

Just got mine done with all OEM parts at a kia dealership in Utah. Just over $1k installed. Looks great. View attachment 31765

Do you mind sharing which dealer you went to and if they changed the tailgate latch that's supposedly faulty or needs replacement? I was quoted $1100 for parts (which includes $425 for the new latch) and $500 - $600 in labor which likely also includes the install of the latch so the dealer or KIA are not owning their faulty tailgate latch.

 

[Deb in Bailey]

Do you mind sharing which dealer you went to and if they changed the tailgate latch that's supposedly faulty or needs replacement? I was quoted $1100 for parts (which includes $425 for the new latch) and $500 - $600 in labor which likely also includes the install of the latch so the dealer or KIA are not owning their faulty tailgate latch.

You were not asking me, I realize, but the tailgate latch only needs to be replaced on 2023 and early MY2024. Cars built after early October do not need a new latch.

Early in the process, dealers were asked to offer lower pricing but there was no guarantee of how long that would last and since it's been over 6 months, I don't know if it's something you can expect.

However, the original memo to dealers outlining the need for the latch does say the entire job takes just under two hours. So, you could use that to discuss your dealer's labor charge. I dont' know what the hourly charge for labor in your area usually is.