Okay, so i finally upgraded the bumper to a TJM T-17 (from sonoran steel), and now begins the dreams of having a winch in the near future.
What i am wondering is where did you mount the solenoid box for your winch? My buddy has his mounted in the engine compartment by the battery, but his 22re has a little more wiggle room than my 3.0, so i'm looking for ideas.

Pictures would be awesome!
Thanks!

 

It's not the same year you are looking for, but I mounted mine up on the fender, near the firewall. I had it on the bumper for a while and was having to replace it about once a year due to water damage. Now, it's up and out of harms way and this one has lasted a couple of years.

I have in-cab controls, as well as a hidden jack on the bumper, so I don't have to open the hood to winch. The best of both worlds

 

Pics of mounting? Also - are you using a basic spdt switch for your in-cab controls?

 

I will try to snap some pics when I get a chance.

For the in-cab controls, I run this, mounted into the box under the single din radio. http://www.roadlessgear.com/Merchant...Y/PROD/M/RG631

 

I originally mounted mine under the air cleaner, however, I do not have the stock aircleaner. I did build a steel plate to extend the fender top and make room for the box.

Even though this area is good for protection from elements, it's terrible if you are ever in a situation where you need the winch control to be accessed by strangers while you are in the truck. It's hard to pop open the hood, direct others to the box, plug it in. Seeing how the TJM makes even reaching your winch control freespool lever hard enough, the control box access was something I really wanted to make easier.

So, I just pigtailed the control port to the top of my bumper. Bingo!!! Easy access but main box is still protected.

Control plug:


Solenoid box. Plugged the top with a metal cap I had laying around. You can see the yellow wires leading from the box to the bumper plug:


Whatever you decide to do, do not mount your box upside down. This may be obvious, but it will hold water like a bucket, rotting everything inside.

And try to think what it will be like for you or strangers to get your winch going if you are already in a bad situation.

 

Mine's mounted above the passenger side front wheel well:

 

Awesome guys! Great idea to move the plug to the bumper!!
I had heard about mounting it upside down being a no-no. What about on it's side??

Thanks guys!

 

Anybody with a stock 3.0 wanna post up? I'm really interested where to cram the thing without modifying the airbox (though throwing a 3.4 in there so that i can fit the solenoid box does sound justified to me.....)

 

i'm at the same decision point. really don't want it on the bumper or exposed to the elements at all. the ONLY place under the stock 3.0 hood is on the drivers side by the firewall, however then i have to extend ALL the wires since the batt and winch posts are on the pass side...dangit.