winch anyone?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
winch anyone?
I recently installed a Warn hidden winch system on my 99 F150, and was wondering what kind of milage people were getting with their winches. Mine dropped rather dramatically, and now it seems even more sluggish than it has ever been. I am wondering if its the winch or something else. Thanks!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Yup, everything is up to date and very well maintained, if I do say so myself. The entire assembly is quite light, as far as winches are concerned. About 120lbs total. It did seem like an interesting coincidence, but I pawned it off to the winch until this week, when it just seemed weak. (its a 5.4L, the winch was installed about a month ago). It dropped about 5mpg to just over 10, with a Whelen bar and the hidden winch.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
I know the weight isn't the issue. If the physical winch is the problem, its aerodynamics. It could be electrical, or it could be something else. Is there anyone out there that has a winch and remembers what they lost?
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Light bars change the aerodynamics of a truck greatly, this could account for a slight drop in mpg but as far as power, ummm no i don't think so.. you have other undrlying problems sounds like to me. Many govern agencies have now gone to the led lightbars to cut down on the size of the bars, creating less air disturbance and keeping mpg slightly higher than traditional halogen light bars. Hidden strobes are my personal choice, they draw less power, weigh less, and when installed correctly can put any lightbar to shame! Just my choice though.
lariatrider rides on.....
good luck and keep us posted!
lariatrider rides on.....
good luck and keep us posted!
Last edited by lariatrider; Nov 22, 2004 at 09:49 AM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
The lightbar's been there for almost 6 months, I sure felt the drop when I put it on. But the winch drop was far more. Anyways, do you realize what each of those LED bars costs?! Mine was $700, a LED version is closer to $2200. ouch! I do have full hidden strobes and LEDs, but the bar does a far better job.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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what model bar do you have? I had 2 90 watt power supplies running 12 strobe heads around my 99 f-150! 2 in headlights, 2 in foglights, 2 in turnsignals, 2 in reverse lights, 2 in rear turn signals, and a deckblaster over rearview mirror. Removed reavrview mirror and mounted it about 1in lower to allow room for it. I had many people tell me it looked like a christmas tree coming at them down the highway! lol Of all the volunteers around everyone was envious of mine, he he he 
I had all switches wired so i could turn off two heads per switch, put on dim mode, switch pattern, or turn one or both boxes off alltogether. The best way I found to do this was with relays so I didn't have gobs of wires everywhere. I used 12 conductor thermostat cable for the controls, and tied them to the relays. All this wasw made into a panel which took the place of the little "checkbook" holder by your right knee. Shoulda took pics before i stripped them out, oh well!
lariatrider rides on.....
btw check out sirennet.com
I had all switches wired so i could turn off two heads per switch, put on dim mode, switch pattern, or turn one or both boxes off alltogether. The best way I found to do this was with relays so I didn't have gobs of wires everywhere. I used 12 conductor thermostat cable for the controls, and tied them to the relays. All this wasw made into a panel which took the place of the little "checkbook" holder by your right knee. Shoulda took pics before i stripped them out, oh well! lariatrider rides on.....
btw check out sirennet.com
Last edited by lariatrider; Nov 22, 2004 at 02:11 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
I have all controls in the middle between the seats (2 switch boxes, siren, CB, Traffic Advisor) with a 60W 4 head w/two front turn signals and two rear brakes, wigwags, two Whelen TIR LED's in grill, 6 strobe lightbar (4 ft, 2 r), takedown, alleys, and 8-head traffic advisor. Everything is wired individually front/back. It took some time to get it all right, and the last thing to be set up is the key lockout for the entire system. I need to get another selanoid. Maybe one of these days I'll post a pic.... 
(Oh, and btw, there are gobs of wire everywhere... )
(Oh, and btw, there are gobs of wire everywhere... )
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Pics uploaded on my profile.... I'll make nicer smear free ones tomorrow, if I remember...
The bar is a Whelen 9000 (or was... once upon a time) before I completely gutted it. It now has an EB6 ps and a 8-head TC...
The bar is a Whelen 9000 (or was... once upon a time) before I completely gutted it. It now has an EB6 ps and a 8-head TC...
Last edited by grafekie; Nov 22, 2004 at 08:16 PM.
