I mounted the winch and fairleadon a piece of 1/2" aircraft aluminum I had laying around (to save weight) then bolted the whole thing to a piece of 2" tube. All bolted w/ grade 8 bolts. Before the mount the winch w/ cable came in @ 94 lbs. I don't know what it weighs now but it's got to be around 120 lbs or so. The 9K winch weighed the same, didn't cost that much more, and I figure go big or stay home.

I wired both the front and back to the pass. side battery (I didn't see your good idea splittin the front and back soon enough, cumminalong) and added a kill switch under the hood to keep power off when I'm not using the winch. My brother is in the IBEW and got some Anderson quick connects off a battery bank tearout he did so I installed them at the end of the leads in the front and backso I can plug and play.

I don't have the front mount bumper yet but I wired it up so it's ready to go when I get it.

 

Are you running the bolts around or through the receiver tubing?

One thing you might want to watch is any stress cracks in that aluminum. If it does let go, it's gonna let go quick.

If you just want a front reciever, they run about $140 for a Draw-Tite. You don't need to do a whole bumper replacement. Just gotta keep in mind that the receiver is only "rated" for 9K. If you have to run a double line, your front tow hooks are "rated" for 8K.

I've loaded a lot more than that on a double line pull and I damn sure know I had a lot more than that on when I had to triple line my buddies SD out of a creek bed.

I couldn't budge him with a single line. Tried to double line him....no dice. Finally had to triple line him to get him out. That was a nice 6 1/2 hour ordeal from 2 am to 8:30 am. [:@]

 

Yeah, I read that story about the new jeep, F250 and your buddies Dodge in the river.I was telling my brotherabout it yesterday. Forget a camera? You should have had a video camera. Probably could have made $10,000 along with the laughs. I would have paid to see that.[sm=icon_rofl.gif]

I through bolted 3x the 2" tube w/ 3/8" grade 8's. I didn't want a "U" bolt pulling off the tube. I know the hitch is only rated for 9K. I really only intend to use it as self recovery and pulling out the occasional tree stump and, as you so appropriately (and politely) put it, retard driver.

I still have to neaten up the install under the hood and put the cable back on the drum but I can't wait to try and pull something out.

 

Just saw your winch set-up. Looks nice. I wanted a Warn but found a great deal on a Milemarker which was what I could afford.

I have the same color Ram: Silver I will try to post picts tomorrow.

 

MileMarker makes a great setup. I used to use the stainless hubs on my SD. Those things were bulletproof. Almost too bulletproof. Usually you want a hub to blow before an axle shaft or a gear set, but those things are so strong, you were more ikely to blow bigger parts before they would let go.

I was wondering if you bolted through or u-bolted it.

I use mine all the time to drag logs out of the woods and up to the truck so I can cut them there and just load them rather than carry piece after piece up to the truck.

I so wish I would have remembered the camera that night. My family, his, and another few of our friends always do Christmas together. We alway do a gag gift for each other. I got him tow straps, a chain and a business card with my cell number and recovery fees.

 

Dude, that's a sweet pic for describing the two setups.



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Now... how would I hook up my 24v warn that came off the front of a hummer????

 

Is it possible? Yes! Is is costly and potentially damaging? Damn skippy!

What you would need to do is set up your truck the way our old militaryCUCV's were setup on a 24V system. The only actually 24V component was the starter, the rest of the system and accessories were 12V.

First, you would need a 24V source. Basically the the batteries would be connected in series, like the top picture in that diagram I made. This would give you 24V, but you would fry the vehicles electrical system.

So what happens is this. You need a second alternator (remember, I did say costly) and a 12V resistor.

The 1st battery is charged by Alt #1 ONLY, providing volts 1 - 12. The second battery in the seriesis charged by both Alt's 1&2 providing volts 13 - 24.

This is getting fun ain't it?

Now....the resistor gets attached after battery #2 so that the rest of the vehicle can run off of 12V power (you sure you wanna try this on your truck still?)

The winch gets attached to the batteries as shown in the diagram from before, the rest of the system gets attached through the resistor, so it only recieves12V.

That's the simple version. I'd be inclined to buy a 12V winch.

The only other way to go about it, is to buy 2 more batteries and keep them completely isolated from the truck electical system (this includes charging) and connect them directly to the winch. You'd want to run 2 Deep Cycle marine batteries for this, as you'll be charging them at home.

There are a ton of disadvantages to doing this, like you'd only get the amperage of one battery vs. the amperage of two batteries. So when you're grid heater kicks on you are would be placing the entire load on Alt #1 and you'd wind up frying that Alt fairly quickly.

 

Here, maybe this would explain the setup / potential for expensive repairs....

By no means do I claim to be an electrical genius (or any type or genius for that matter), so try this if you want.

But..............I would be MOREthan willing to stand around and watch as you try this!!!!!

I'll even bring the beer.

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