Winch Question

[66stepside]

So the sidewinder winch is in the 66. The new skid plate is ready for paint/bedliner.

Before I get to that- where's the best place to locate the controller?



There's space where it sits (on the right of the winch as pictured). Is there a better place?

Here's the plate mocked up on the truck, so the controller would be under and in front of the power steering. A plus is that it would also be out of the way of the cable...

[jaber]

I think I would mount the controller on the inner fender, so its not catching all the road grim.

It looks great...

[66stepside]

Thanks Jaber.

While there are tons of pics of the winch on the net, there's only one of the controller mounted. I did mount it on the inner fender well. I used the winch to pull two jeeps, I took video and I'll eventually post that on the boobtube.

[UKJeeper]

I think I would mount the controller on the inner fender, so its not catching all the road grim.

This.

[Stuka]

Never seen one of these before, looks pretty compact. Inner fender well should work. How hot does the controller get?

[66stepside]

Never seen one of these before, looks pretty compact. Inner fender well should work. How hot does the controller get?

They had pretty good reviews, rated up to 12k based on the cable, but I wouldn't want to test that theory with mine. The controller never got hot on the fender well, I was more worried about draining the battery.

I'll take the truck out and see what the winch can do and see if the controller gets hot. Any thoughts on synthetic cables?

[Stuka]

Synthetic cable is better in every single way in comparison to steel cable IMHO. The only possible downside is it can be cut if it rubs against something that is sharp. But otherwise, it weighs WAY less, is just as strong (Pulling strength), and will handle weather better (Won't ever rust).

[66stepside]

Synthetic cable is better in every single way in comparison to steel cable IMHO. The only possible downside is it can be cut if it rubs against something that is sharp. But otherwise, it weighs WAY less, is just as strong (Pulling strength), and will handle weather better (Won't ever rust).

I just read an article about synthetic vs. steel cable in the latest issue of 4Wheeler while I was uploading the winch vid to the 66's show n tell thread. It was Cappa and some other guy giving their views on which one is better, Cappa gave the arguments and evidence to support synthetic.

I know for sure that the steel cable stuff is SUPER heavy. If I had a do over button, I would've pulled the cable out of the winch before installation. Live and learn. I'll look into swapping the cable over to synthetic eventually, but that's near the bottom of my list.

[Bostonbob]

your jeeps are too old to run syn line and that's ok

[66stepside]

The "new" bumper is growing on me. Steel cable is old skool, for sure. There isn't much left on my 66 that's stock. Odds are I'll be using the winch for saving my shoulder just moving project jeeps around the yard, lol!

[goldhammer]

Back when those came out, Vic had an ad in the print media of a 67-72 body style Blazer hanging from a big tree limb, fully off the ground. They were the cat's meow in their day.

[66stepside]

Back when those came out, Vic had an ad in the print media of a 67-72 body style Blazer hanging from a big tree limb, fully off the ground. They were the cat's meow in their day.

I may have that ad in my file of paper work that came with the winch. It sure was an eye catching ad.

[Fishkiller55]

I have 72 J4000 it has a p.t.o. winch is that factory add on.?

[66stepside]

If the drivetrain is origional, then it probably is factory. Jeep did have them as an option.

[serehill]

That winch looks great. Real good design. It's where mine is. Be careful as stated there are 3 areas where synthetics are different. Their life is shortened exposed to weather sharp objects will cut them. They can get bound on the hub if you don't keep all the slack out of the lines if they are not kept tight if they get bound on the larger winches they will snap. That's all truly about taking care of it. Pulling capability is really good. I changed to synthetics. About 3 years later it snapped from the thing rotting but that was 10 years ago when the technology was new. I didn't use it very much & it was on an exposed winch so the UV's ate it up. Before it rotted it worked fine. I straightened car frames & other things similar pulled fence post, trees & pulled up a few radio towers with it too. Mine broke right at the winch when it gave up.

[Fleg]

I've seen a guy snap a synthetic winch line, tie it in a knot, then keep using it with no problem.

[66stepside]

That winch looks great. Real good design. It's where mine is. Be careful as stated there are 3 areas where synthetics are different. Their life is shortened exposed to weather sharp objects will cut them. They can get bound on the hub if you don't keep all the slack out of the lines if they are not kept tight if they get bound on the lager winches they will snap. That's all truly about taking care of it. Pulling capability is really good. I changed to synthetics. About 3 years later it snapped from the thing rotting but that was 10 years ago when the technology was new. I didn't use it very much & it was on an exposed winch so the UV's ate it up. Before it rotted it worked fine. I straightened car frames & other things similar pulled fence post, trees & pulled up a few radio towers with it too. Mine broke right at the winch when it gave up.

I've seen a guy snap a synthetic winch line, tie it in a knot, then keep using it with no problem.

It's been a blast so far- just more goofing around with it than anything. I am just glad I don't have to hand winch any more. I am going to pass on a synthetic line swap- I'll put the money it would cost to better use. My truck doesn't get off road like it used to.

[Fishkiller55]

If the drivetrain is origional, then it probably is factory. Jeep did have them as an option.

Yes it is the only change was motor.was Chrysler 360 a stock motor. ? Iam 2nd owner first threw a rod got rid of it and put in the 360.other then that all original.

[Fishkiller55]

I also have a twin to my truck no wintch straight 6.

[Fishkiller55]

If the drivetrain is origional, then it probably is factory. Jeep did have them as an option.

U seem to know a lot about the j-trucks these two r my frist.can I swap out the 360 for the 6 r bellhouseing same?