Mounting the winch

OK, I got my winch plate, well it really isnt for my jeep but it is a winch mount nonetheless. Do i bolt it or weld it to the jeep frame?? My frame is modified, i have a laater CJ crossmember up front for my saginaw steering, so i can have an area to mount it better than i would with a stock frame. The mount fits over the frame and the ends of it are in the middle of both frame rails. And i really cant get a bolt into the mount and into my frame rails. Another problem is that the frame hones kick it up a tad in the front so the mount it not horizontal but rather aiming up to the sky a bit, i would have to make a spacer for the back to level it or do something else.. I didnt want to permenantly mount it to my bumper, but i could bolt it to the bumper, which is a sturdy channel steel. I am going to weld on some gussets on the mount because it is pretty much just a large piece of "L" steel. It is a warn mount i can see the "W" embossed on it. I want to weld the gussets to connect the front with the bottom so that it wont bend forward.

After i get the winch monuted i will need to get a fairlead and put a hook on the cable. I am guessing i can get a fairlead and hook at nrothern, but are there maybe any other palces that i can get strong hooks?? And i need to know how many clamps to clamps the cable around to make an eye on the cable and mount the hook?

Finally i need to wire up the winch. It only has one hot connection on it. The winch grounds to the frame. Well i was going to take a piece of large welding or battery cable and take it from the winch to a starter solinoid, then from the solinoid to the battery. Then run a wire to a switch on the dash to turn the winch on. Is this good?? I dont know how much continual use a solinoid can take. Peopel have used them, and then i have read that people have used 2 solinoids in series, but i do not know how to work that out.

Also if i hook up cables to allow the brake to work and to enage and disengage the clutch, will i be able to still use the clutch and brake with my hands on the winch also??

Also my brake lever is not staying clsoed and it lays out forward of th eeinch. Is there anyway to keep it up?? I guess the cable control keeps it up. And also is there some friction material on the brake steel loop?? I have only steel adn i cant see how it stops it.

Thanks!!!

 

Here are some pics of my frame setup adn of the mount. I totally understand making the brackets to mount like that. I do have lots of 1/4 thick angle iron so it will be pretty easy. I do have the large drossmember to bolt to also, it is REALLY welded up good to the frame. I am also thinknig bout cutting th emonut to make it not so large in th efront, i will probably trim it to almost the width of the winch, i do not like all the extra metal on the front. And i can also trim the sides also to get it to fit better.

Here is a little website i made up with pics.
http://www.caloosajeepers.com/Winch.html

 

Might be more work, but I always figured to sink the winch down behind the bumper if I got one - better cooling, and keeps more of the Jeep grill showing. Fairlead could come out of the bumper instead.

 

Oh I agree Mike, i always wanted to mount it in the frame rails, but for the setup i have it will be too much of a hassle to sink it. fortuantely air flow is not that big of a factor with my electric fans. they really cool good.

 

Very nice and clean. Does your Winch mount on the bottom or the side?? The Bellview mounts on the front side. Kind of odd, but that is the way it mounts. Would be much easier if i could mount it on the bottom.

 

Looked at the pics, that mount is made to be part of the bumper. That's the kind that goes on full size vehicles to replace the existing bumper. Bumper pieces would come with that. Of course with effort you can make it fit like you're talking.

 

Where did you get those solinoids?? Are they specifically for a winch?? Since i only have power in, i will noly need one But i am guessing i need something more heavy duty than a car starter soliniod

 

Thnks for the pics they are helpful, by chance do you have a pic of the solinoid setup?? The Bellview has the hot wire out of the motor but there is no ground bolt. it supposidly grounds through the frame. For the brake i am going to use a peice of belt for the material, have been suggested to use that, and seems just fine for me. I think i am going to order the solinoid from Herm. I would like to see how they are wired in parralel

 

I attached a picture,. Is this what you are saying??

 

Very nice scott, i so wish i can drop mine down. Well i won a fairlead on ebay. $28. not that bad for a roller fairlead.