How to Install a Winch
An electric winch can save you and your colleagues a world of hassle when the trails get tough.
With a bull bar that is compatible with the winch on your vehicle, installing your own vehicle may not be as difficult as you think!
Here's how!
Vehicle Inspection
First, take a look at your bull bar and make sure you have a mount for your winch trailer.
Some vehicles will have a horizontal cradle, while this example features a vertical cradle that requires rotating the winch gearbox 90 degrees to allow access to the clutch handle.
Inspecting the Winch
To rotate the gearbox, place the jack on the workbench and remove the two straps.
There is also a third bar that keeps the crane secure during transportation and does not need to be replaced.
The gearbox will now retract away from the cylinder and can be completely separated.
Now remove the series of hex bolts from the gearbox and rotate the holder to the desired position.
Assembly is as simple as reversing the process and the crane will be ready for installation.
Installing the Winch
Insert the square nuts into the cavity next to the cylinder. A little double-sided tape or even a dab of grease may help if it keeps falling off while positioning the winch.
With the help of a friend, lift the winch into position and thread the top bolts through the large bar and into the square nuts on the winch.
Do the same with the bottom screws, attaching the lead at the same time.
Installing the control box
Once the winch is installed correctly, the control box can be attached to the bull bar.
This bar has no holes for mounting the control box; the support was removed from the control box to locate holes for drilling.
The rag or piece of cardboard used here will keep the drill bracelet from damaging the winch rope.
Connect the Control Box
The winch motor control box is connected straight ahead. Each wire features a uniquely colored rubber covering that matches the terminal it is connected to.
The remaining two wires, the large black ground cable and the small black ground cable, should be connected to the screw on the other side of the motor.
Towards the end of the installation process, the power and ground cables should be connected directly to the vehicle's starting battery.
Most vehicles should not require extension cords, but in such cases - cables can be extended by purchasing an additional cable - and using the appropriate carpentry tools and tools to crimp them together.
Testing
Once you have the winch connected to the battery, it is time to test it. The hand controller can be used either wirelessly by connecting the receiver to the control box, or wired - by running the included cable between the control box and the hand piece.
In just an afternoon, you can install your winch and have it ready – you'll wonder why you didn't install your winch sooner!
