Winch mounting systems

[fishman]

Through some good fortune, I am now in possession of a Warn m8000 winch. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Unfortunatly the mounting bracket that came with it is not compatible with my 2000 chevy half ton. I checked out the Warn website as well as a couple of discount winch websites and I like the concept of the Hidden Hitch. Basically, the winch hides behind the bumper and the only think you see is the roller assembly under the bumper. Has anyone installed this system on their truck and were any modifications required? There isn't enough description of the product and I'm wondering if it's just a bolt-on plate or what. Cost is about $170 so not too bad.

And of course, if anyone has any suggestions for other mounting advice or uses, I'm all ears. Any tips for installation, etc.

And now I have a mounting system/chrome brush guard for a 2000 3/4 ton chevy that is of no use to me. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[bgott]

I would mount a receiver hitch front and rear on the truck. That way you can pull it off of the front and stick it in the rear hitch if necessary. Or you can pull it off the truck and use it on the tractor if necessary. And you can mount a hitch on your trailer so you can use the winch to load it. Why limit yourself by permenantly mounting it on the truck? If you drive off in a bog with the winch mounted on the front it can be a PITA to get the truck out. Pull the pin, drag the winch to the rear and come on out. You can also leave it at home when you go somewhere that you won't need the winch. The less goodies on your truck to attract thieves the better.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

First, congrats on your winch. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I also have the Warn 8000 and think you'll really like yours. Along with the winch, I also have their base for 2" receivers. As was said above, with that set up and a front and rear receiver set up, you could mount it on either end or not at all. I know it's not quite as aesthetically pleasing as the hidden mount but it is certainly more versatile. I even added a 2" receiver tube on my trailer and use my winch there, too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

On a somewhat related note, either with my winch or the receiver base I got a short set of leads with a large plug type connector on one end to run from my battery to outside my grille. The idea there is so that you can easily connect and disconnect your winch from the power source. One thing I did was to buy an extra connector (I got mine from a local fork lift shop) and make myself a pair of quick attach jumper cables so I don't even have to life the hood to give someone a jump start. If you buy the longer cable to have the same connection at the rear of your truck then you can use your jumpers from either end as well.

I know it's easy for me to spend your money like this, but I thought you might want to at least consider these ideas. Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[fishman]

Well, two votes for pretty much the same idea. I checked into that option a little bit and like it a lot, but it does raise some questions. Please bear with me, I'm really new at this.

To get maximum utility, I guess one would have to have an extra-long wiring harness tucked in the truck engine compartment with quick connects. These quick connects would also need to replace the battery cable lead connects on the winch. Eventually, I could do the same with my tractor. Good so far?

The control system needs to mount somewhere, or does it? The one on the winch appears to be a permanent mount that I guess could also mount on the receiver hitch platform for the winch. Is that how it's usually done? Is there a better way?

One other issue I noticed was that the 2" mounting system was for the multi-mount winches (I think). Mines just a standard M8000 winch. Gary, did you have any problem finding a mount?

Security with this mounting system also concerns me a little. Of course, the reciever can be locked, but are there any other precautions that can be taken to prevent theft? Anybody think I need to be worried about that?

I really like the versatility this option offers, as I have a trailer I could use it on, etc. But if anyone wants to jump in, I'm certainly still open to other ideas.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

The reciever hitch system works. There are some brackets, cages if you will, out there for winches to work with reciever hitches.

Your control for the winch probably has a remote or a place for one to be hooked up. That allows you to be out of the way if a line breaks, get a better view of the operation, etc.

The best system I've seen for this is a plate attached to an insert with a roll cage for the lack of a better description to protect the winch when installing and or transporting.

The plugs Gary talked about for forklifts sounds like a great system for the power supply for the winch. An alternative would be a wrecker supply which would have another type of quick connect for the power supply.

One of the advantages of such a system not mentioned by Gary is you can decline lending your winch out because they don't have an approved connector to make it all work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As for the security issue, keeping the winch in a tool box is probably the best one. Out of sight, out of mind, alive and working.

 

[Inspector507]

Mount the winch on a 2" hitch, with receivers front and rear. Use connectors like in the attached picture, like others have said. I have 25' ofwelding cable with these on one end and battery clamps on the other end. Whenever I need it, the winch comes out of the truck, slides in the receiver, plug it in and go. You could mount a receiver on the front of the trailer too if you wanted.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

WOW! I realize I'm taking my TBN life and reputation into my own hands here when I'm going to dispute anything electrical with Inspector 507, but here goes.

The pictured connector (gray) is too small for the Warn 8000. The one you will get with your winch and any Warn accessories for it is larger and is red in color and that's the one you want to use.

In the interest of fairness here, let me say once again the Inspector 507 figuratively 'held my hand' through wiring/rewiring a barn and putting in new service. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif He's the pro. I just happen to own the same winch.

 

[Inspector507]

Kinda like THIS?

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Kinda like that, yeah... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phred]

Max current is ~435 Amps for this winch, but that's peak and probably for a short time.
http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/src/M8000.shtml

So both of the parts our electrical expert points out will work.
A bit marginal since its only rated for 320 Amps cont.
But the peaks can be much higher for a short time. Look at the pulse current tables. Your good for a couple of minuites on these connectors at 435 amps. Most pulls will not last that long.
http://www.andersonpower.com/products/pdf/DS-SBE320.pdf
If it starts smoking then let it cool a minute and you will be fine. Its not going to melt before you run out of winch line to say the least.

This ones a little better:
http://www.andersonpower.com/products/pdf/DS-SBX350.pdf

The different colors are used for different voltages.

Fred

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

For wh

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

For what it's worth, the red ones are the type which come with the winch. If you want to go with the higher rated green ones you'll need to change the OEM connectors, too.

If you do, let me know as I'll be happy to have your red take-offs. And, of course, if I'll end up with those, I heartily encourage you to upgrade immediately. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dltimmons]

Fishman,

I had the hidden mount system on my 96 Chevy Tahoe, with a Warn M8000 winch on it. The mount system works great and is a nice clean way to mount the winch to the front of your truck. A couple of things to keep in mind. The winch is pretty low to the ground, as it is under the bumper, and below the frame in a cradel. The fairlead comes out through the plastic/rubber skirt below the bumper and the lever to engage/freewheel the winch sticks out next to it. In deep snow, or mud, you get to lay down in front of the truck to connect the electric control lead and let out cable, or disengage the gear lever. Also, since the winch is hidden, it is very difficult to clean and tends to collect a lot of road crap in it. It does look good, and the kit from Warn is well thought out.
When I traded off the Tahoe, I removed the winch and have since gone to the front/rear receiver set up others here have been talking about. I got the mounting cradel from Warn, the front receiver from Hidden Hitch, and the front/rear wiring kit from Warn. The wiring kit has a starter type solenoid that the front rear positive cables are connected to, and the battery lead is connected to the other side. It has a switch which I mounted under the dash on the truck that controls the solenoid. The switch is wired so that the truck must be on and running to turn on the switch, only when the switch is on are the cables to the front/rear for the winch "hot". The kit came with the short leads and connectors for the winch, and the long leads connectors etc. for on the truck. A little pricey but a nice wiring kit. I am looking into buying some more of the connectors to use for jumper cables, and on my tractor, but Warn wants something like $39.00 per pair (male/female) for these connectors, and my budget is a little low right now.
I agree with the majority opinion that having the receiver mount for the winch gives you the most utility for the money.
Take a look at the Warn wiring kit, then see what it would cost to make your own. You can probably save a bunch of money buying your own cable and connectors from the welding supply house.
Good luck,

DT

 

[fishman]

dltimmons,

Thanks for the insight into both systems. It always helps when somebody has been there and done that and takes the time to tell folks about it.

One question: Did the wiring harness from Warn come with the switch you are talking about, or is that an add-on? I like that approach. How were the directions with the wiring kit? I would be tempted to pay the premium price if there were good instructions.

 

[dltimmons]

fishman,

The kits I bought included the solenoid, cable for the rear, switch to activate solenoid, and the connectors w/ dust shield.
Try this link to look at the cable kits available, they don't show the solenoid/switch, but refer to it as the power interupt which is included. http://www.warn.com/truck/accessories/quick_connect_all.shtml

If you have a local 4-wheel drive accessorie dealer in your area, they may have them on the shelf for you to look at.
The kits are pricey, but include all you need for front, and/or, rear hook up of the electrical to the winch.
Warn also offers a front receiver hitch. On my Ford F-350, I went with the Hidden Hitch receiver, it comes out through the middle hole of the bumper, Warns' comes out below the bumper through the skirt on these trucks. I wanted the higher hitch location, just personal preference.
If you look around on the Warn web-site, you can find the cradels to mount the winch into to hook into a receiver also.
Good luck, have fun, spend lots of money,

P.S. The instuctions that come with the kit are good. It is really fairly simple, and takes longer to route the rear cables through the frame of the truck, keeping them away from sharp edges, and/or hot exhaust, than to install the rest of it.
You wont have any trouble if you have any mechanical ability at all.

DT

 

[fishman]

Thanks dltimmons. The comment about spending lots of money looks to be spot on. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif However, it sounds like the utility of that setup makes it well worth the added cost of the additional wiring harness. Unfortunately, there isn't a dealer near me listed on the Warn web site. Oh well, there's plenty of online merchants. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif