In-Cab Winch Control Using OEM Switch!

transalper · 05-21-2003, 01:29 PM

I just finished this mod over lunch today and am pleased with how it turned out. The alternate power mirror switch location in the dash makes a great spot for an in-cab winch controller. I found a spare power mirror switch for $20 at a junkyard and wired it to my X9. Slide the top switch to the left and push the button for “In” and slide the switch to the right and push the buttom for “Reverse.” I toyed with getting a rear window switch and using the spare hole in the center console, but wanted to try this one out first.

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***Corey*** · 05-21-2003, 01:45 PM

That is a trick idea indeed.
Did you just take an extra controller lead and cut the end off, then wire it to the switch?

That would make a great addition to the Tech area if you have the wiring info and all on how you did it.

transalper · 05-21-2003, 02:08 PM

All I needed was an accessory hot and then two wires out to the control box. Pushing the center pad to the up position is the only one that activates the winch - i was going to wire it to activate when the pad is pushed in all four directions but it got too complicated for my blood. It's a very simple hack wiring job. The X9 just uses two solenoids and only has three wires for the controller, but the concept would apply to other control boxes as well. I'd be happy to do a write-up for the Tech section.

jx94148 · 05-21-2003, 02:32 PM

I've had my winch controller flopping around the dashboard for several months. Its quite irritating. I have a switch just like that in a Subaru with a dead motor. It may find a new life running the winch.

I gotta get the good parts off that car before I take it to the crusher.

Los Gatos? · 05-21-2003, 05:30 PM

That's a nice mod. I'm a big fan of buttons. I also like redundant/unnecessarily complicated controls, I don't want a rocker switch, I want a toggle, a rocker, and dual key ignition, dammit!

Albuquerque Jim · 05-21-2003, 10:12 PM

Is that switch designed to fit in that hole? I have been wondering what I could put in there. My mirror switch is on my door panel.

L33T35T 4Runner · 05-21-2003, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Los Gatos?
and dual key ignition, dammit!

that's something i would like

jx94148 · 05-22-2003, 02:01 AM

I forgot to explain why I moved this topic. Anythng winch related is considered an Offroading modification. Winches really aren't used on road, therefore it belongs in the Offroad mod forum.

Lots of topics will be moved in the near future. Its an attempt to reduce traffic in the overcrowed "SUV and Truck" board and get people to use this board and the Maintainence board when applicable.

On behalf of the Yotatech Staff, thanks for you understanding. By no means is it meant as a way to scold or punish members.

transalper · 05-22-2003, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Albuquerque Jim
Is that switch designed to fit in that hole? I have been wondering what I could put in there. My mirror switch is on my door panel.

Yes, in 4runners without power windows, the power mirror switch is in that location. There's a plug for it and everything behind the panel. My regular mirror switch is on my door panel as well.

I agree with Los Gatos, the more buttons the better! I just like them to look clean and as close to stock as possible. I was also thinking it would be cool to use the new mirror switch to control a motorized spotlight.

Mack · 05-22-2003, 04:52 AM

That is a very cool mod!

What did you use to create the white lettering on your switches????

transalper · 05-22-2003, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mack
That is a very cool mod!

What did you use to create the white lettering on your switches????

Thanks. I am still working on the lettering. For the top two letters I simply used a permanent marker to convert the "L" to an "I" and left the "R" alone. I printed the word WINCH onto a mailing label and cut out a small peice of clear packing tape to cover the WINCH sticker. I am still looking for a better printer paper/sticker for the winch label.

seafarinman · 05-29-2003, 12:58 AM

Way cool idea. For my rig, I went to Radio Shack and picked up a DPDT momentary switch and jumped the two negative terminals together, and connected one termial on each end to the in/out solenoid control terminals in my solenoid box through the back and under the box making for a sano though non-factory appearing setup.

transalper · 05-29-2003, 05:20 AM

Here's the install write-up in the Tech section:
http://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech/...transalper.htm

I got to test it out this weekend! Did some winch landscaping and pulled a couple shrubs. I did it real early in the morning so none of my neighbors would see and ask me to winch out a bunch of shrubs for them.

Ric · 05-29-2003, 09:31 AM

now thats just too cool, you guys are awesome,,,, when i get a winch, i know what ill be doing...
Ric

05-21-2003, 01:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	That is a trick idea indeed. Did you just take an extra controller lead and cut the end off, then wire it to the switch? That would make a great addition to the Tech area if you have the wiring info and all on how you did it. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

05-21-2003, 02:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
transalper Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 430	All I needed was an accessory hot and then two wires out to the control box. Pushing the center pad to the up position is the only one that activates the winch - i was going to wire it to activate when the pad is pushed in all four directions but it got too complicated for my blood. It's a very simple hack wiring job. The X9 just uses two solenoids and only has three wires for the controller, but the concept would apply to other control boxes as well. I'd be happy to do a write-up for the Tech section. __________________ Jay - 97 4Runner SR5 V6 Auto Air/E Lockers, OME, Revos, ARB bull bar, Superwinch X9, sliders, etc . . .

05-21-2003, 05:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Los Gatos? Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: b Posts: 1,031	That's a nice mod. I'm a big fan of buttons. I also like redundant/unnecessarily complicated controls, I don't want a rocker switch, I want a toggle, a rocker, and dual key ignition, dammit! __________________ New York City, NYC, pretty mean when it wants to be, black leather, knee hole pants, can't play no highschool dance, fuzz tone, hear 'em go, hear 'em on the radio - R A M O N E S, Ramones OLD: '90 4Runner SR5 auto v6 150k NEW: '85 long bed xtra cab 5spd 22R 200k NEW NEW: '89 Ford Taurus SHO, 137k Miles, 650 miles after I got it : water pump takes a shizzle, now I'm knee deep in a front maintainence from hell. Even broken it's faster than the 4Runner

05-21-2003, 10:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Albuquerque Jim Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 2,570	Is that switch designed to fit in that hole? I have been wondering what I could put in there. My mirror switch is on my door panel. __________________ '00 SR5, "Highlander" Dual Cases, Aisin Hubs, E-Lock'd, Cryo'd, Chromo'd, ARB'd, 315's, Sonoran Steel Bumper, Lift & UCA's, 4 Crawl 1" BL, Armored...etc. F-Toy #081 in progress Dual Cases, 30 Splines, 5.71's, E-lockers, Hydro-Assist, 37's, DOM Hendrix Chassis, 80Proof, ORS, Sonoran Steel...etc.

05-22-2003, 04:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mack Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sidney by The Sea, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 504	That is a very cool mod! What did you use to create the white lettering on your switches???? __________________ Mack (David) Mack's Bigger Better 4Runner Page coming very soon! 1989 Toyota 4Runner Canadian Special Edition Want a link to your web pages on Mack's friends page? Two wrongs don't make a right but three rights makes a left

05-21-2003, 02:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
jx94148 Banned Join Date: May 2002 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 2,617	I've had my winch controller flopping around the dashboard for several months. Its quite irritating. I have a switch just like that in a Subaru with a dead motor. It may find a new life running the winch. I gotta get the good parts off that car before I take it to the crusher.

05-22-2003, 02:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
jx94148 Banned Join Date: May 2002 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 2,617	I forgot to explain why I moved this topic. Anythng winch related is considered an Offroading modification. Winches really aren't used on road, therefore it belongs in the Offroad mod forum. Lots of topics will be moved in the near future. Its an attempt to reduce traffic in the overcrowed "SUV and Truck" board and get people to use this board and the Maintainence board when applicable. On behalf of the Yotatech Staff, thanks for you understanding. By no means is it meant as a way to scold or punish members.

05-29-2003, 12:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
seafarinman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kitsap County WA Posts: 978	Way cool idea. For my rig, I went to Radio Shack and picked up a DPDT momentary switch and jumped the two negative terminals together, and connected one termial on each end to the in/out solenoid control terminals in my solenoid box through the back and under the box making for a sano though non-factory appearing setup. __________________ DEPLOYED Again! 1994 SAS 2RZ/R151F=244:1! 1988 Toyota 4Runner SR5

05-29-2003, 05:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
transalper Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 430	Here's the install write-up in the Tech section: http://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech/...transalper.htm I got to test it out this weekend! Did some winch landscaping and pulled a couple shrubs. I did it real early in the morning so none of my neighbors would see and ask me to winch out a bunch of shrubs for them. __________________ Jay - 97 4Runner SR5 V6 Auto Air/E Lockers, OME, Revos, ARB bull bar, Superwinch X9, sliders, etc . . .

05-29-2003, 09:31 AM	#14 (permalink)
Ric Banned - User requested Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: earth Posts: 4,494	now thats just too cool, you guys are awesome,,,, when i get a winch, i know what ill be doing... Ric

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