BajaXplorer

Need advice/information about installation of the solenoid in engine bay. So little room, having trouble finding a place for it.
Just installed an XD9000 winch in my TJM T-15 bumper and would like to mount the solenoid in the engine area. Have 8 inch lights on bumper so no real room for solenoid there. Mounting underneath with winch as some have done would be too wet, dirty and hard to get to in some stuck situations.
BX

Hyperlite

I mounted my mile marker one behind my air box. I had to move some things around a bit to make room. I am gonna connect am switch in the cab to it. I run the cable out of the hood and across my hood.

BajaXplorer

Next to the air filter looks like my best bet as well. The cruise control is in the way, but I might be able to drop it enough to mount a bracket over it. Also thinking about getting the Ramsey remote to use with it. Thanks for the input.
BX

mt_goat

I put mine inside my TJM bumper behind the turn signal.

Here's a pic from the outside: http://community.webshots.com/photo/...87536791zeoxYl

Here's a pic from the inside:http://community.webshots.com/photo/...43933998abKdNS

I had to remove the plug from the black box and extend the wires with a homemade wiring harness. Here's the best pic I have of that: http://community.webshots.com/photo/...57774261LiZkMS

Buki

You can put the solenoid box anywhere and run wires to it in parallel to operate from inside cab or thru hand control. All you need is a momentary switch (DPST I believe)that will will in one of your empty dash openings. Just wire it up like coming off of the handheld remote. It just activates the solenoids thru a ground.

BajaXplorer

Mt Goat, Thanks, I had not considered removing the female plug from the solenoid. It certainly opens up a lot of possibilities.

Buki, I did see the tech write up doing this with a window controller (good idea), but I'm thinking the wireless remote would be really handy. Not sure its worth the money as little as I would use it though.

BX

mt_goat

Yeah, just drill out the rivets and it comes right out. Keep straight what wire goes were and try to keep the same color wires on your new harness. I used a 6-pin plug (from a farm and tractor supply store), made for hooking up trailer lights I think. That way I could easily disconnect it for servicing.

I was told heat is a real killer on solenoids, more so than water. Don't try to waterproof the box because that hurts airflow and holds the heat in. It can get wet but you don't want it submerged in water (that can short out the wiring), so since mine is mounted on it's side and a little upside down I drilled some holes in the plastic cover so water can drain out easily.

I also put a disconnect for the power to the winch right at the battery, that way the only time the solenoids "see" power is when I'm using the winch. I used a quick disconnect made for welding cable on the positive (red) cable. It only takes a second to connect up power to the winch and greatly reduces the risk of fire or tampering by vandals. Make sure you use the female end of the disconnect off the battery and the male end off the winch to prevent accidental grounding.

Roadrunner

I've got mine's mounted in my 4Runner's engine compartment on the passenger side:

mt_goat

Wow look at all that room in there. That must be the 4 cyl huh? Mine is a little more crowded, see http://community.webshots.com/photo/...92263572fKwNmW

BajaXplorer

Thanks again Mt Goat, even being able to place the female plug from the solenoid right next to the solenoid at any angle makes some spots usable which I had dismissed earlier.
Roadrunner, my ABS, cruise control, air box, window washer bottle and a couple other gizmos fill up the same space. Seems like the solenoid could be smaller, like some of the other winch manufacturers. Thanks for responding.
BX

Roadrunner

It's a 3.4L V6.