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Winch
Last updated: 11/16/2003
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11/8/2003: I have replaced the regular battery cables
connected to the winch motor with a set of cables that can be easily
disconnected at the winch end by way of a plug style connector. The
little blue boxes on the left are the connectors. Since they go
straight to the battery without a fusible link I am leaving them
disconnected when not in use.
Model: Ramsey QM-5000 |
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I ran the cable through the front grill and around the radiator then to the battery. I used some plastic wire straps to secure the cables in place. The business end of the cables have a connector to slide on the battery clamp bolt. I would like to get a second cable and run to the back so I can move the winch to the rear if need be. |
But then I thought to myself "I don't like it" so I cut it off and did it another way...
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11/16/2003: The idea here is ditch the idea of a hitch mounted winch and build a more conventional mounting bracket. I like the idea of any easily movable winch, however once mounted on the hitch it sits way out in front of the bumper. One, the winch is heavy and extended on a lever which is just bad engineering. Second, extending it so far in front of the bumper makes it a target for trees and rocks. |
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This time I will make a mounting plate that can be bolted into place over the front bumper with mount points close to the frame. |
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I cut out a 20" x 7" x 3/8" mounting plate. |
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Welded on angle iron mounting brackets to each end. |
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Removed the recently installed hitch by grinding down the welds as much as I could then using the torch to finish the job. |
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Cleaned up the mounting surface with a grinder. |
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Test fit where new mounting bracket assembly and drilled 3/8" holes through the base brackets to the plate brackets. I should probably go with 7/16" or 1/2" bolts but the mount bolts for the winch are 3/8" to begin with so it is kind of a wash. Unlike tow hooks the winch will never be jolted. It is more of an even tug than a sudden yank. This will probably work. |
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Welded the base brackets in place. |
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Test installed! I'll need to pull it off and paint it as well
as get some better bolts.
I plan to weld a font bracket in place so I can put the cable guide back in place to protect the winch. I may also reinforce the mounting plate with some more angle iron in the back to help handle the stress. Shouldn't be hard. |
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