Winch control box help

RTdawgs · 09-20-2004, 12:34 AM

I would like help concerning mounting the winch control box in the engine compartment. It is currently strapped to the winch motor in the bumper. My travels call for lots of creek crossings and this is burning up my solenoids (reverse doesnt work right now). I have cut holes in the box, but it didnt solve the problem.

I will be moving the box into the engine compartment, up very high. Hopefully up near my air compressor ( http://www.4x4runnin.com/pics/compressor.JPG ). I realize the need for longer cables. Looks like the power/ground wires are 4 gauge, but what are the others (i think there are 3 or 4 others)?

Just lookin for tips and pictures from those who have done this. thank you.

-RT

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fourwd1 · 09-20-2004, 08:45 AM

I have my control box mounted high inside the engine compartment, but on mine there are just the 2 power cables to the motor.

What kind of winch do you have?

bamachem · 09-20-2004, 08:51 AM

The M8000 has a ground from the Winch Motor to the 4runner frame. The Solenoid Box has a Power lead from the battery, then three 4 gauge wires to the winch motor and a 10 gauge (i think) wire for the solenoid ground that attaches to the winch frame.

Flygtenstein · 09-20-2004, 09:00 AM

You can splice the wire of the proper gauage in or pop the box apart and run whole new cables.

Stick with welding cable, many strands so it bends better.

Mine was 2 gauge and it tucks up next to the ARB compressor.

transalper · 09-20-2004, 02:02 PM

Just carefully meaure the cable lengths and get them made at a good auto parts store. Or buy some cable and connectors from JC Whitney and solder them up yourself.

Are you going to make a bracket to mount it to the firewall or wheel well?

I was able to access and route my wires pretty easily. The only time-consuming part is getting the heavy-duty cables ready.

Have fun!

Roadrunner · 11-18-2004, 11:59 AM

Mine's mounted in the engine compartment on the passenger side:

RTdawgs · 11-18-2004, 12:35 PM

Great setup, thats exactly my plan. Hopefully after Thanks-taking i will get this done. Any comments or suggestions?

transalper · 11-18-2004, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTdawgs

Great setup, thats exactly my plan. Hopefully after Thanks-taking i will get this done. Any comments or suggestions?

You guys sure have a lot more room under the hood than I do. Do you have ABS?

RT, are you planning to do an in-cab control?

RTdawgs · 11-18-2004, 02:46 PM

Yes i have ABS and i have no room. guess i need to MAKE room

In-cab control? nah

Flygtenstein · 11-18-2004, 04:30 PM

I would encourage you to think about in cab. Something where there is a hard mounted switch, but some plug you can undo underhood. If you use it a lot, it is really convenient and if done cleanly is really neat and stealth.

Mine is underhood and I get annoyed snapping in, popping the hood and then having a cord running all over.

***Corey*** · 11-18-2004, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flygtenstein

Mine is underhood and I get annoyed snapping in, popping the hood and then having a cord running all over.

Go wireless.

Works great, and no wires.
I have only used it a few times, but it worked great.

For kicks I wanted to see how far away it would work too, and I was about 100' away and it still worked.
Could have gone further.

transalper · 11-19-2004, 05:21 AM

Those wireless winch controls are very slick.

I second Flygtenstein's statement. In-cab controls are much more convenient and I think safer. Even when hard-wired, you can always plug in the controller if you need to. Mine only cost $20 and took about an hour to wire up. It was a fun little project.

keisur · 11-19-2004, 11:08 AM

I have a tjm but I put mine in front of the grill on the pass side just inside the fat tube in the middle. I'll snap a pic and post if you want. I didn't want it in the engine compartment becaues then I'd have to pop the hood to winch. I also didn't want to mount it under the bumper like I saw on some dudes isuzu or something because then if it's stuck in mud I have to get under there somehow. so the plug is at the level of my grill emblem almost and perfect for me. it's wedged in there but it fits nicely. I just got a metal strap and bent it using the bench vice into the shape I needed. it's bendedable with a little persuasion too in case I needed to budge it to install the bumper.

RTdawgs · 11-21-2004, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keisur

I have a tjm but I put mine in front of the grill on the pass side just inside the fat tube in the middle. I'll snap a pic and post if you want. I didn't want it in the engine compartment becaues then I'd have to pop the hood to winch. I also didn't want to mount it under the bumper like I saw on some dudes isuzu or something because then if it's stuck in mud I have to get under there somehow. so the plug is at the level of my grill emblem almost and perfect for me. it's wedged in there but it fits nicely. I just got a metal strap and bent it using the bench vice into the shape I needed. it's bendedable with a little persuasion too in case I needed to budge it to install the bumper.

yea i'd love a pic, that sounds great.

keisur · 11-21-2004, 07:18 PM

I'll get one in the morning and post it tomorrow afternoon.

keisur · 11-22-2004, 08:49 PM

here ya go RT:

RTdawgs · 11-23-2004, 03:33 PM

thanks J

im hopefully tackling this project the end of this week, ill report back.

keisur · 11-23-2004, 05:07 PM

If you look closely you can see the galvanized flexible strap from Home Depot that I mounted it on. It kind of urked me that Warn didn't think enough of the consumer to include a universal mounting bracket that slides up and screws onto the back of the solenoid. They put flanges on there, but I guess that's for the special bracket made for ARB bumpers.

RTdawgs · 11-24-2004, 08:39 PM

Today i took the bumper off :pat: and then took off the winch to correct the wiring troubles i was having :pat: Then i put the bumper back on :pat: and put the winch control box on top of the bumper in between the hoop and the grille. It will stay here until i decide i dont like it, then ill get longer wires to mount it somewhere else.

keisur · 11-24-2004, 10:32 PM

mount it on your dash, like a compass.

what's wrong with where it is now?

RTdawgs · 11-25-2004, 07:50 AM

I dont know whats wrong with it, time will tell if it is wrong. The only problem is that its not secured, just wedged in there.

**waskillywabbit** · 11-25-2004, 07:56 AM

Where's the pics RT?

Next winch I get I'm going wireless like Corey for sure!

RTdawgs · 11-25-2004, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waskillywabbit

Where's the pics RT?

Next winch I get I'm going wireless like Corey for sure!

i got mental pics, i can send you those if i think hard enough.

Nothing really to see, its just laying there. its not mounted or secure.

I dont need wireless, i wouldnt benefit from it. with my 4Runner, i need to be pushing the throttle to keep the engine in the 2500 RPM to operate my winch effectively.

Mad Chemist · 11-26-2004, 08:50 AM

RT,

I've got mine in the same place as Keisur, and haven't had any issues with it, just used zip ties to hold it to the grill, and it hasn't budged since I put it there. I couldn't justify all the time to get it up under the hood. I know some people have said they've fried the box during water crossings, I haven't had that happen to me yet, but one more thing to consider.

keisur · 11-26-2004, 02:21 PM

see, the guy here mounted his under the bumper, much lower than ours, and he hasn't had any problems frying it, or so I haven't heard that he has. but still, mounted like this guys, you still may end up getting all muddy having lean under there to hook up the control plug. plus it might be in the water or mud so it would be bad to try to plug it in when it's jammed with mud.

http://www.xplorx4.com/pathfinder/upgrades/warn/

09-20-2004, 08:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
fourwd1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: central Maryland Posts: 193	I have my control box mounted high inside the engine compartment, but on mine there are just the 2 power cables to the motor. What kind of winch do you have? __________________ - - As seen in FOUR WHEELEER magazine July 2006, OFF-ROAD magazine Feb 2007 - - '84 4Runner SR5 - ARBed 5.29s F&R, 4.7 t-case, drv train lift, Chevys, hi-steer, 30 spl Longs '80 something Toy P/U, Buick 231 V6, Holley 4 bbl, Weiand intake, Downey headers, custom TH350 L/U w/700R4 low gearset, dual tanks, dual batterys

09-20-2004, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
transalper Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 430	Just carefully meaure the cable lengths and get them made at a good auto parts store. Or buy some cable and connectors from JC Whitney and solder them up yourself. Are you going to make a bracket to mount it to the firewall or wheel well? I was able to access and route my wires pretty easily. The only time-consuming part is getting the heavy-duty cables ready. Have fun! __________________ Jay - 97 4Runner SR5 V6 Auto Air/E Lockers, OME, Revos, ARB bull bar, Superwinch X9, sliders, etc . . .

11-18-2004, 11:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
Roadrunner Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 932	Mine's mounted in the engine compartment on the passenger side: __________________ Ian 2001 4Runner SR5 4x4 - An Evolving Expedition and Search and Rescue Response Vehicle TJM, XD-9000 Winch, Badland Sliders, SAW/OME Lift, 33" BFG TA KOs, Homemade CO2 Set-up, Optima Blue Top, Cobra 75 WX ST, Icom V8000, Icom IC-F121, 1.0" 4Crawler BL, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Wilderness Rack w/Hella 550s, Snorkeled and Trail Armor by BudBuilt. TLCA #14,082 SAR Field Team Leader - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group Last edited by Roadrunner; 03-11-2005 at 10:03 AM.

11-18-2004, 12:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
RTdawgs Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,066	Great setup, thats exactly my plan. Hopefully after Thanks-taking i will get this done. Any comments or suggestions? __________________ Ryan New: 2008 4Runner Sport. Mild, not wild. Old: 2000 4Runner 305s, Locker, TJM, Warn, Skids, Sliders, SC

11-18-2004, 02:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
RTdawgs Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,066	Yes i have ABS and i have no room. guess i need to MAKE room In-cab control? nah __________________ Ryan New: 2008 4Runner Sport. Mild, not wild. Old: 2000 4Runner 305s, Locker, TJM, Warn, Skids, Sliders, SC

09-20-2004, 08:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
bamachem Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 0	The M8000 has a ground from the Winch Motor to the 4runner frame. The Solenoid Box has a Power lead from the battery, then three 4 gauge wires to the winch motor and a 10 gauge (i think) wire for the solenoid ground that attaches to the winch frame.

09-20-2004, 09:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
Flygtenstein Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 4,246	You can splice the wire of the proper gauage in or pop the box apart and run whole new cables. Stick with welding cable, many strands so it bends better. Mine was 2 gauge and it tucks up next to the ARB compressor.

11-18-2004, 04:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Flygtenstein Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 4,246	I would encourage you to think about in cab. Something where there is a hard mounted switch, but some plug you can undo underhood. If you use it a lot, it is really convenient and if done cleanly is really neat and stealth. Mine is underhood and I get annoyed snapping in, popping the hood and then having a cord running all over.

11-19-2004, 05:21 AM	#12 (permalink)
transalper Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 430	Those wireless winch controls are very slick. I second Flygtenstein's statement. In-cab controls are much more convenient and I think safer. Even when hard-wired, you can always plug in the controller if you need to. Mine only cost $20 and took about an hour to wire up. It was a fun little project. __________________ Jay - 97 4Runner SR5 V6 Auto Air/E Lockers, OME, Revos, ARB bull bar, Superwinch X9, sliders, etc . . .

11-19-2004, 11:08 AM	#13 (permalink)
keisur Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5,376	I have a tjm but I put mine in front of the grill on the pass side just inside the fat tube in the middle. I'll snap a pic and post if you want. I didn't want it in the engine compartment becaues then I'd have to pop the hood to winch. I also didn't want to mount it under the bumper like I saw on some dudes isuzu or something because then if it's stuck in mud I have to get under there somehow. so the plug is at the level of my grill emblem almost and perfect for me. it's wedged in there but it fits nicely. I just got a metal strap and bent it using the bench vice into the shape I needed. it's bendedable with a little persuasion too in case I needed to budge it to install the bumper. __________________ Front: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Rear: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Lift: Suspension - F: Sway-A-Way Coilovers; R: OME Coils/Shocks Body - 2" HDPE Pucks w/ higher strength bolts Recovery: TJM T15 Bull Bumper w/ Warn M8000 Winch Lighting: Lightforce Striker 170's Multimedia: Kenwood DNX5120 DVD/GPS/USB/iPod/SAT Sound: Focal 165A1 Component Front w/ Focal 130CA1 Rear Infiniti Kappa Perfect 10.1 Sub 500W RMS amp for fronts and rears; 500W RMS amp for sub Power: Optima Blue Top 1400 Watt Power Inverter

11-21-2004, 07:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
keisur Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5,376	I'll get one in the morning and post it tomorrow afternoon. __________________ Front: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Rear: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Lift: Suspension - F: Sway-A-Way Coilovers; R: OME Coils/Shocks Body - 2" HDPE Pucks w/ higher strength bolts Recovery: TJM T15 Bull Bumper w/ Warn M8000 Winch Lighting: Lightforce Striker 170's Multimedia: Kenwood DNX5120 DVD/GPS/USB/iPod/SAT Sound: Focal 165A1 Component Front w/ Focal 130CA1 Rear Infiniti Kappa Perfect 10.1 Sub 500W RMS amp for fronts and rears; 500W RMS amp for sub Power: Optima Blue Top 1400 Watt Power Inverter

11-22-2004, 08:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
keisur Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5,376	here ya go RT: __________________ Front: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Rear: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Lift: Suspension - F: Sway-A-Way Coilovers; R: OME Coils/Shocks Body - 2" HDPE Pucks w/ higher strength bolts Recovery: TJM T15 Bull Bumper w/ Warn M8000 Winch Lighting: Lightforce Striker 170's Multimedia: Kenwood DNX5120 DVD/GPS/USB/iPod/SAT Sound: Focal 165A1 Component Front w/ Focal 130CA1 Rear Infiniti Kappa Perfect 10.1 Sub 500W RMS amp for fronts and rears; 500W RMS amp for sub Power: Optima Blue Top 1400 Watt Power Inverter

11-23-2004, 03:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
RTdawgs Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,066	thanks J im hopefully tackling this project the end of this week, ill report back. __________________ Ryan New: 2008 4Runner Sport. Mild, not wild. Old: 2000 4Runner 305s, Locker, TJM, Warn, Skids, Sliders, SC

11-23-2004, 05:07 PM	#18 (permalink)
keisur Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5,376	If you look closely you can see the galvanized flexible strap from Home Depot that I mounted it on. It kind of urked me that Warn didn't think enough of the consumer to include a universal mounting bracket that slides up and screws onto the back of the solenoid. They put flanges on there, but I guess that's for the special bracket made for ARB bumpers. __________________ Front: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Rear: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Lift: Suspension - F: Sway-A-Way Coilovers; R: OME Coils/Shocks Body - 2" HDPE Pucks w/ higher strength bolts Recovery: TJM T15 Bull Bumper w/ Warn M8000 Winch Lighting: Lightforce Striker 170's Multimedia: Kenwood DNX5120 DVD/GPS/USB/iPod/SAT Sound: Focal 165A1 Component Front w/ Focal 130CA1 Rear Infiniti Kappa Perfect 10.1 Sub 500W RMS amp for fronts and rears; 500W RMS amp for sub Power: Optima Blue Top 1400 Watt Power Inverter

11-24-2004, 08:39 PM	#19 (permalink)
RTdawgs Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,066	Today i took the bumper off :pat: and then took off the winch to correct the wiring troubles i was having :pat: Then i put the bumper back on :pat: and put the winch control box on top of the bumper in between the hoop and the grille. It will stay here until i decide i dont like it, then ill get longer wires to mount it somewhere else. __________________ Ryan New: 2008 4Runner Sport. Mild, not wild. Old: 2000 4Runner 305s, Locker, TJM, Warn, Skids, Sliders, SC

11-25-2004, 07:56 AM	#22 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,559	Where's the pics RT? Next winch I get I'm going wireless like Corey for sure! __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

11-24-2004, 10:32 PM	#20 (permalink)
keisur Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5,376	mount it on your dash, like a compass. what's wrong with where it is now? __________________ Front: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Rear: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Lift: Suspension - F: Sway-A-Way Coilovers; R: OME Coils/Shocks Body - 2" HDPE Pucks w/ higher strength bolts Recovery: TJM T15 Bull Bumper w/ Warn M8000 Winch Lighting: Lightforce Striker 170's Multimedia: Kenwood DNX5120 DVD/GPS/USB/iPod/SAT Sound: Focal 165A1 Component Front w/ Focal 130CA1 Rear Infiniti Kappa Perfect 10.1 Sub 500W RMS amp for fronts and rears; 500W RMS amp for sub Power: Optima Blue Top 1400 Watt Power Inverter

11-25-2004, 07:50 AM	#21 (permalink)
RTdawgs Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,066	I dont know whats wrong with it, time will tell if it is wrong. The only problem is that its not secured, just wedged in there. __________________ Ryan New: 2008 4Runner Sport. Mild, not wild. Old: 2000 4Runner 305s, Locker, TJM, Warn, Skids, Sliders, SC

11-26-2004, 08:50 AM	#24 (permalink)
Mad Chemist Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,878	RT, I've got mine in the same place as Keisur, and haven't had any issues with it, just used zip ties to hold it to the grill, and it hasn't budged since I put it there. I couldn't justify all the time to get it up under the hood. I know some people have said they've fried the box during water crossings, I haven't had that happen to me yet, but one more thing to consider. __________________ -David '98 4Runner: SAW/OME lift, TJM bumper, Warn M8000 winch, Hayden tranny cooler, Trail Carnage front and belly skid plates, PIAA fogs, Rock lights, 33" MT's on Tech1 Rockcrawler rims, Lars sway bar discos, Sonoran bumpstops and rear bumper, RB 1" body lift, Daystar front bumpstops '73 FJ40: 327 SBC, York, Dual Batteries, custom tire carrier, Corbeau Baja SS bucket seats, Bestop top. TLCA#14428

11-26-2004, 02:21 PM	#25 (permalink)
keisur Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5,376	see, the guy here mounted his under the bumper, much lower than ours, and he hasn't had any problems frying it, or so I haven't heard that he has. but still, mounted like this guys, you still may end up getting all muddy having lean under there to hook up the control plug. plus it might be in the water or mud so it would be bad to try to plug it in when it's jammed with mud. http://www.xplorx4.com/pathfinder/upgrades/warn/ __________________ Front: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Rear: 4.88's w/ ARB Locker Lift: Suspension - F: Sway-A-Way Coilovers; R: OME Coils/Shocks Body - 2" HDPE Pucks w/ higher strength bolts Recovery: TJM T15 Bull Bumper w/ Warn M8000 Winch Lighting: Lightforce Striker 170's Multimedia: Kenwood DNX5120 DVD/GPS/USB/iPod/SAT Sound: Focal 165A1 Component Front w/ Focal 130CA1 Rear Infiniti Kappa Perfect 10.1 Sub 500W RMS amp for fronts and rears; 500W RMS amp for sub Power: Optima Blue Top 1400 Watt Power Inverter Last edited by keisur; 11-26-2004 at 02:23 PM.

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