WK2 - Winch Install

[Mike WK2]

So I have been planning it for months, but finally made a start on the hidden winch install. 

 

todays start was strip front bumper off, remove grill, remove factory bumper supports. install air suspension support, and 2 x side arms to hold the winch tray. 
 

Think some cleaning maybe required before refitting the bumper

Next time I get an hour, plan is winch tray and winch on, and electrics. 

 

[V]

So where does the hidden winch sit? Does it go below the number plate?

[TR15BEN]

This is my Offroad animal hidden winch mount Mike

[Mike WK2]

That’s Handy, mine is Off Road Animal as well. So that’s what it should look like

 

Hidden Winch fairlead should end up in the centre of were the number plate is originally. I will probably just move number plate off to the side. 
 

TR15BEN - out of interest did you go with the flip up for number plate or just move the plate ? 

[V]

Just out of interest, how thick is the steel in the winch tray? It looks like it could be 3/16", 7/32" (4.8mm, 5.5mm). My winch bumper is mostly made from 3/16".

[Mike WK2]

I’ll measure it next time I have the bumper off doing a bit more, but just to the eye I would say it’s definitely not 5.5 mm

 

Got a little more 

[V]

You should sleeve your red and black winch power cables in convoluted plastic conduit. When the winch is working hard, the cables get very warm and the insulation can become vulnerable very quickly. If the cables are touching a metal edge you can get some big sparks when the insulation gives way. Don't ask how I know . 

[Mike WK2]

Thanks V, will do, they are resting in place at the moment so I can get lengths right. Not hooked up yet. Next job.

[Mike WK2]

The winch is alive

 

Cables run, kill switch in, and all powered up. Cables need tieing back and some tidying up at the front. Just need to cut the bumper and re fit. 

[UKTJ]

Looks good!

Did the kill switch come with the winch?  If not, where did you get it from?  I still need to fit one

[Mike WK2]

Kill switch was a separate item, got two off eBay, one for the winch and the second to isolate the aux battery. Couldn’t copy the link for some reason but the photo is what I got. 

[Mike WK2]

I also got my own crimping tool and ring connectors so I could make the leads up to the correct length. 
 

Let me know if you need a short connector lead to to put the kill switch in the middle. I can make up from the spares and bring to aldermaston if your attending. 

[Mike WK2]

Nearly finished, just some bolts on the lower bumper and inner wings to do up, oh and a number plate

 

only had one little snag, which was the connectors for the two central parking sensors fouled on the bolts to winch plate, thankfully just enough slack in the cables enabled them to be removed and set back with the connection 180 degrees round which then everything clears. 

[V]

That's a nicely done installation.

Have you decided on a number plate location?

Do you have a wireless remote?

Can you free spool your winch or do you have to winch out under power?

[Mike WK2]

I think I am going to just mount the number plate, above the fairlead, offered it up earlier and it actual sits quite nicely proud by about an 1” of the top of the bumper but I need to make and fit a bracket their anyway to relocate the front facing camera. 
 

Yes, have two witless remotes and one hard wire, obviously at the moment can’t get the winch to fit the wired controller, but I am thinking I may convert the hard wire  connection point to become in cab switch, but that’s for another day. 
 

yes can free spool, as part of my prep I reversed the free spool lever so it’s facing down and the Animal off road lower bumper and winch plate has a hole in both that lines up perfectly to reach in for the free spool lever. 

[UKTJ]

Really nice work @Mike WK2!