Winch Wiring Help

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Oct 8, 2012 | 07:05 PM

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2001

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From: Pasco, WA

Winch Wiring Help

Hey All,

2011 f350 CCLB

I want to wire a hitch mounted winch for both front and rear usage.

I see several 2 ga wire kits with quick disconnects, but was wondering which battery to go to, and which frame rail side to use. The exaust side kinda worries me due to heat. Although the drivers side has the fuel tank, and I have skid plates blocking the inside of frame, so it doesnt sound pleasant either!

Also, best method to connect to the battery terminals. It appears the battery clamp screw is smaller than standard and wont accept a large ring winch terminal. Is there a "post doubler" avialable, or should I consider removing the factory cable clamp and replace with a set screw block of some sort? Hate to have a warranty issue due to a non oem battery clamp?

For the limited use, I have consider just getting one of the wiring kits, and adding high amperage "jumper clamps" and running the wire only when used?

Any help, tips, pointers?

Thanks
Jesse

Oct 8, 2012 | 08:04 PM

porthole

Cargo Master

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 3,228

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I ran 2/0 wire from the right battery (fused) down the right frame rail on the outside back to the axle. Then to the rear bumper on the inside of the rail, using an industrial battery connector as a terminator.
Negative cable is attached to the engine, starter bolt or block, don't remember which.

Oct 8, 2012 | 10:13 PM

Chad149

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 6,676

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From: Milford, MI

I have not done a winch on my F-350 yet but what I have done in the past is at the same time upgrade the batterys to Optimas with top and side terminals. Hook the factory stuff as designed and use the side terminals for winch connections. For the winch connections I also like to put a battery quick disconnect to protect against shorts (never know when you might run over something or someone running into you damaging the wires).

Oct 9, 2012 | 07:16 AM

Marauder92V

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mc

I installed a wire set for a salter box. Since I was using the upfitter to control, I ran a harness including all of the wires in a split tube conduit down the driver's side. It took me the better part of an afternoon, but everything is frame rail mounted. The driver side has some obstacles but there is enough room to snake them through. I wish Ford would have mounted a couple of open conduits so people could run wires easily.

Here is a picture of part of the wire run. The wire I am pointing at is the conduit I installed, next to a factory one. I took the time to wrap my conduit to keep water out.

Here is where the wire set came up into the engine compartment.

As for the battery connection, I agree the Optima dual connector is the best and easiest way to connect. Since the truck was relatively new when I put the wires in, I opted to attach to the battery (driver side in this case) and ground to the chassis in the engine bay.

The main thing to try to avoid is attaching any wires to the cab. If your cab ever needs to come off, they will need to cut the wires you installed.

Good luck, sounds like a fun project.

Oct 9, 2012 | 10:59 AM

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 96

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From: Pasco, WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marauder92V

I

Here is a picture of part of the wire run. The wire I am pointing at is the conduit I installed, next to a factory one. I took the time to wrap my conduit to keep water out.

Here is where the wire set came up into the engine compartment.

Thanks for the pictures.

Is that a wire tie, or was there an extra conduit clip avialable?
Thanks
Jesse

Oct 9, 2012 | 06:09 PM

madsonp

Moderator

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 2,815

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From: Billings, Montana

I ran some wiring to the back on my truck for a back-up camera, a fused power lead off my battery for some lights in my topper, and the leads for a powered tailgate lock. I ran these on the drivers side because of being able to zip tie it to an existing harness on that side which is lacking on the passenger side. All of these I put into a wire loom. Getting it by the fuel tank was a challenge but I used a fish tape to get it by which worked pretty good.

Oct 9, 2012 | 10:41 PM

Marauder92V

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Joined: Oct 2010

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mc

Thanks for the pictures.

Is that a wire tie, or was there an extra conduit clip avialable?
Thanks
Jesse

I did like Mad did, I tied it to the existing wiring run from the factory. That run was connected to the frame rail. Like Mad, the hard part is getting by the fuel tank area.

Ford didn't provide any sort of conduits or clips to help aftermarket add-ons. You're on your own in that regards. The good news is that there is plenty of space to run everything underneath.