When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
People I've talked to who have used wireless remotes with winches love them, especially when the winch-equipped truck isn't stuck but is being used to pull something else (it's nice to be close to where the work is being done).
Personally though I don't trust a wireless remote on a winch. I have no experience or reports of winch wireless remotes not working correctly, so maybe my concern is unfounded. But I do have a lot of experience with other types of wireless remotes not sending the signal you want when you want it sent. I'm willing to live with the consequences of that when my garage door won't open or close at the first push of a button, or when I find it difficult to select the right TV show on Tivo. But I'm not willing to risk the consequences of that type of failure with a winch.
Maybe I'm just being a Luddite. But that's my opinion on it.
I don't know how much you're willing to spend on a winch, but I love my Warn 8274. Those things are built like a brick ****house, they'll pull about anything and will last a lifetime. I bought mine used, its early 1980s vintage but it still pulls strong 35 years later. They are an 8,000 pound rated winch but I've heard and read many stories of people pulling much more than that with them. I've used mine to take down trees before. Its mounted on my '92 F250 diesel which weighs around 6,500 pounds. I had the wheels blocked and the park brake on and it still managed to slide the truck while pulling.
One more thing: dual batteries are a HUGE help when running a winch. Those motors draw a lot of power, especially under load.
Bob - Good point. But, the salesman told me that the remote can be used wired, so I assume it comes with the wire. If so, I'd take it on a trip just in case.
Rowdy - Another vote for the Warn. As for dual batteries, that's the plan. But, to charge them I need something more than the 1G alternator, so now I have to do a 3G conversion. And eliminate the ammeter, or figure out how to still use it with 2 times the alternator power. And the snowball keeps rolling.....
As for dual batteries, that's the plan. But, to charge them I need something more than the 1G alternator, so now I have to do a 3G conversion. And eliminate the ammeter, or figure out how to still use it with 2 times the alternator power. And the snowball keeps rolling.....
Why do you say this?
I have dual batteries and the stock 1G alternator and have no problems keeping the batteries charged.
Of course if you are running a lot of accessories (off-road lights, your winch, 1000W stereo, etc.) a bigger alternator is desirable - but not just because you have dual batteries.
Mike - Good point. It would be far easier to leave the 1G in than to convert to a 3G. Not only is there the need to do something with the ammeter's shunt, but there is the less-than-robust wiring to the aux battery that really ought to be upgraded. But if I stay with the 1G I just have to mount the battery and add the pos and negative cables.
Jim - I'd missed that about the remote. Thanks! That makes the Smitty even more compelling.
Yes, it adds up to real money in a hurry. I don't think I have everything for the aux battery mount. Then there's the battery itself, and the battery cables. And while I'm doing battery cables I'll replace the existing ones. And all of them will be custom cables I build using marine components, which ain't cheap. And there's the cover for the winch as UV degrades the synthetic rope. And all of the other bits and pieces like a ****** block, and hooks for BB, and, and, and....
As for the OK wilds, there's a spot not too far from here where off-roaders are allowed in on public lands. I'd like to head up there with my son just to get some experience. But ultimately he and I may tackle something out of state.
Is that the opposite of "peeling the onion's layers"?
The truck originally came with dual batteries, so adding the aux battery is really getting it back to where it was, and that would be "peeling". Then there's the winch - Big Blue had a winch long ago, and maybe when brand new, although not from Ford. So, that might be construed to be "peeling". But, the 3G alternator certainly introduces new layers.
The truck originally came with dual batteries, so adding the aux battery is really getting it back to where it was, and that would be "peeling". Then there's the winch - Big Blue had a winch long ago, and maybe when brand new, although not from Ford. So, that might be construed to be "peeling". But, the 3G alternator certainly introduces new layers.
The second battery goes beside the coolant overflow/windshield washer bottle. And it appears to run fore/aft rather than side-to-side. However, I haven't actually figured out exactly where it goes, I'm just going from an illustration in the catalog.
The second battery goes beside the coolant overflow/windshield washer bottle. And it appears to run fore/aft rather than side-to-side. However, I haven't actually figured out exactly where it goes, I'm just going from an illustration in the catalog.
Not sure about the correct mounting on yours Gary, but on my 82 the left side battery is oriented the same as the right side (posts parallel to radiator) and the coolant/washer bottle mounts behind batter (on the battery tray bracket) but on the side closer to brake cylinder.
Well, Mike, I think I was wrong and you are right. Here's what the catalog shows. I'll get my parts and see if I can make sense of it, but if you have a pic that might help. TIA
