I'm installing a winch on my truck either today or tomorrow depending when I can source the metal plate for the winch cradle.. but I am looking for some tips from some of you that have some experience with wiring these suckers.

I plan on wiring into the cab and keeping the option to plug into the remote outside the truck. Shouldn't be too hard but I need some ideas for what type of switch and type of wiring to wire up inside the cab.

Since it comes with 2 remotes, I had the idea of relocating one of the remote plugs inside the truck and shortening the wires on it to use inside the truck and store it when I'm not using it... but switches look cool <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I'll be posting some pictures up today hopefully. Might need to be ordering some upgraded torsion bars after this weekend too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

i would mount some sort of heavy duty relay in the engine bay for the winch. then use smaller gauge wire to run to the switch in the dash wherever you chose.

does this mean you want to run the winch from inside the vehicle? or do you just want the option to turn it on inside the vehicle?

most winches are dormant. they do not work or use power until you insert the wired remote control unit into the control box or turn on a wireless one.

at least that is how mine works.

another piece of advice. find a way to mount it so that a thief cannot easily steal it. some welding or even a well placed cable and lock.

i read about too many bumpers being stolen with the winches attached to them. i welded mine.

Here's my winch, a 9k Mile Marker E9000 ... I couldn't pass up the deal on it or my bumper I bought a little while back..


And the recipient:



G&R,

I want to be able to control it from inside the cab. I might have answered my own question.. Since I have two remotes, I am going to get another female plug and wire another plug to the inside of the cab, so I can plug in my remote from inside or use it outside the truck.

As for mounting and security, it will be mounted inside the bumper.. the truck usually gets parked in the garage, but lately I've been driving the truck a lot so the corolla's been getting the garage space.

I have considered welding some metal brackets to the bumper mounting bolts... my truck needs a fuel pump cutoff, it is wayyy too easy to jack this thing.. and It's starting to get some expensive components on it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Hey Brendan,

I can't help with the wiring, but I'll take a pic of my winch install later and post up. I think you'll like how it mounts to my bumper <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

sounds good..

Heading down to harbor freight to pick up the universal winch plate, it'll have to have 5" cut off each side, I want that welded to the sides of it so I can bolt it into the bumper on the sides.

Harbor Freight's universal mount is $39 and a roller fair lead is $39 as well..

I've got one of those, but didn't need it. I'll take a pic first thing in the morning. Don't cut that plate up yet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Better hurry.. the winch mount plate cost me $29.. I'm not afraid to. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

The winch mounts directly to the front of the ARB bumper. The 2 bolts you see in this pic go into the mounts on the winch. The lower 2 bolts (can't see) go through the fairlead and into the winch mounts.



Here's how I mounted the control box. With the winch on it's side (effectively) I had to removed the gearbox housing and clock the level 890 degrees and cut the hole you see to match



I'm about the take my bumper off, because it's not sitting right. Will take a couple more pics if it's not too late and you're already stuck into the job.

Hope that helps <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

That's a really good idea.

I considered the same thing, but my bumper is layed out differently than yours. If you look at the bottom in the center of the bumper, it has a knockout for the fairlead. The bumper is not flat in the front but sticks out more at the top so I am unable to flat mount it to the inside of the bumper like you did. With the winch plate though, I will be able to bolt it directly to the front of the bumper in the front with the fairlead as as well as the mounting holes in the bumper bracket.

My bumper is a 2 Piece assembly, 1/4" frame for the winch mounts and what bolts to the actual truck, and the bumper itself is all 3/16. What I'm doing actually utilizes the 1/4" thick bumper frame.

I'm going to install it and wire it up the normal way, and worry about spending the money on an inside cab control setup later. I realized the uwharrie trip is coming up and I'm only a driver's CV, front driveshaft, and LSD rear install from being done with my drivetrain on the truck. Wallet is getting light though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

For the wiring portion. In my opinion you dont need to add another relay to the circuit. Thats the job of the solenoid's in the winch's control box. Make sure that if you extend any of the big cables in order to get the solenoids under the hood, you use the same or larger gauge cable than the factory winch. Welding cable is a good choice. If you wiring a switch in the cab there' a few ways to do it, but you want to have one separate switch probably with a flip open cover to turn the winch "on" and then one or two for power in and power out depending if you want to use one switch for both power in/out or not. Check this guy out for ideas.



12 Volt Guy