Mounting the winch

One end of each solonoid should attach to the battery. The other side of each solonoid should attach to the winch

 

Basically yes, although you generally bridge the solonoids at their terminals rather than running a second wire all the way back to the battery and the winch

 

You don't need dual batteries, get one new Optima Yellow Top and you'll be set. I can even run my 8274 off my Optima with the motor off for quite a while.

 

Dan, I used the same type of mount on the flattie. I bolted it on. You can see several pictures of it here:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/67256029/67256099iiDhoG
http://community.webshots.com/photo/68822263/68950934vcZeKd

I welded a piece of angle to each side of the plate, and bolted it through the frame rails. I already had a plate between the frame rails just like you do, for the upper mount of the saginaw box (which is flush with the top of the frame rail). So, on the back edge of the mounting plate, where it was about 1" off the other frame plate, I used the red body bushings like you see under the grill, and bolted through those and tightened it down. I'm not sure if you can understand what I'm describing. If not, I can try to explain it better.

Bottom line - I don't think you need to reinforce that plate at all. It's pretty dang stout, IMO!!!

 

Just for grins, here's the overkill way of doing it.

 

Sounds like a early Warn unit. It is power in only. no way to reverse. Brake is manual. Have had a few of them, they are fast at pulling cable! I would weld up and mound the winch from the front. You only need 1 solenoid, You can use the typical Ford variety. But, try to keep from winching more than a few minutes at a time.
-Hill