An M8000 Warn weighing less than 50lbs.?

[Scott Brady]

I have decided the location of the winch controller:

I need to start spec'ing out the wiring harness...

 

[VikingVince]

I have a winch compatible ARB bumper on my '98 Tacoma and I'd like to add the Warn M8000(with synthetic rope and alum. fairlead) ...just haven't gotten around to it (got tired of spending money!)

Scott, with the added weight of the bumper and winch, do you intend on leaving your swaybar off? I've had mine disconnected for the last several months and with the front Donohoe coilovers it doesn't feel like that big a difference. (although I'm aware that in certain situations it could be) I was thinking that if I add the 50 pounds of synthetic rope winch and remove the 30lb. (approx) sway bar, I'd be adding the winch for a net gain of 20 pounds!!!

 

[BajaTaco]

I was thinking that if I add the 50 pounds of synthetic rope winch and remove the 30lb. (approx) sway bar, I'd be adding the winch for a net gain of 20 pounds!!!

I like your way of thinking Vince! (insert laughing smiley here)

Regarding the controller, I really like the idea of wireless. What is the reason you guys aren't using it? Cost?

Anyone know what this "Boomer Box" is from T-max?

 

[Scott Brady]

I have used a wireless controller in Alaska, on one of the two speed Mega-winches. It seemed to work pretty well.

This guy had a sweet older Bronco with every goodie know to man on it. He coordinated this three winch recovery of a rolled (bigger) Bronco and was never near his truck. He could walk around and look at things as they were developing, all while making small winch corrections 60' from his rig.

I have a video of that somewhere... I will find it.

I just have never winched without being inside the truck, so I guess that is my thinking. A more mechanical connection, which should be more reliable.

 

[BajaTaco]

... A more mechanical connection, which should be more reliable.

C'mon, think "cell phone" ! Look how reliable they are!

Seriously though, thanks for the reply.

 

[kevin]

There is a remote winch controller available that works by a rf radio signal. It is completly wireless and can be used inside or outside of your vehicle. It has a 300 ft range, and runs on a sigle 9 volt battery. The reciever weighs only 12 ounces and can be mounted almost anywhere. There are numerous manufactures of these systems, do a google search for "wireless winch controller" I used one from applied electronics for many years without failure. Good luck.

 

[Scott Brady]

Here is the winch rope, available from Roadless Gear. It is 80' x 5/16". I will weight it later in the week for an exact amount, but it seems to be in the 3-4lb range :victory:

The weigt savings of all of this is going to be worth it... :lurk:

 

[Desertdude]

Nice color! - I was able to squeeze 85' on my 9000 - the synth rope is kinda puffy - with the 50' synth rope extension we should be good to go :Wow1: Saving lbs :luxhello:

 

[Scott Brady]

Yeah Pasquale, I think you have the perfect combination.

I have never understood the fixation with really long rope lengths on the winches. With a pully block and proper extension the 80-90' length is most ideal. A winch only generates its greatest capacity at the first layer of cable on the drum. Long winch lines make it difficult to attain full pulling power. That, and the line will nearly always pull to one side and require a respool anyways.

 

[goodtimes]

I have never understood the fixation with really long rope lengths on the winches.

Same as the fixation with 18" lifts and 44" tires. Bigger is better....right?

Actually, I can think of a couple situations where longer would be better.....basically, any place that would require a LOOOONNNGGGGG pull, such as a long mud pit, or a long stretch of very soft sand with a heavy vehicle.....assuming you are pulling strait ahead and can keep your cable spooling up properly. Huh, now that I think about it, during the trip up to Jerome, an extra 10' of cable would have been nice. We wouldn't have had to stop and pull the strap out from between my cable and the tree saver, then winch my jeep up that last 10' or so.....

But for most pulls....I don't think I have ever actually needed to unspool more than 20 or 25' of cable.

 

[droppdwn]

Speaking of winching

Guys, I just got that 4runner and it has a Warn M8000, an aluminum fairlead, and 100' of MileMarker Synthetic... I was poking around on one of your sites the other day and ran across a winching FAQ/primer. I can't find it now and was wondering if any of you have the link to one that you like?

Scott, how heavy do you think my setup is? It's all already installed so I don't have the luxury of weighing it... The controller is right ********** dab in the middle of my front bumper. I like the idea of mounting it under the hood (making theft a _bit_ more difficult), but I want to have room for a second battery some day.

 

[goodtimes]

It really doesn't matter where you mount the winch controller, from a theft standpoint. A thief will simply cut the cables and sell the winch for $15 less because it doesn't have a controller.

A simple and very effective theft prevention mod would be to tack weld one of the mounting bolts in place. Just enough to keep a thief from removing that bolt.....when/if you need to remove the winch, just grind the tack weld off (be sure to tack a bolt that is easy to get a grinder at.....).

 

[Scott Brady]

That is another reason why I like the ARB on my Tacoma. In order to remove the winch, the entire bumper needs to be removed, which would be a hell of a job without air tools.

The tack weld idea is a great one GT. I did that with my expensive lights a few years ago (on an old Jeep). Worked well.

 

[Outback Expeditions]

Love the winch set-up Scott! I was thinking on the same lines as you in regards to long winch lines. Ive always had I guess 50' to 60' on my other winches and never needed anything longer. Then I bought the new Power wagon and my first stuck caught me about 94' from the nearest winch point (4" tree). My winch line was 90'. Even after adding my tree protector I was still 8" to 12" short. Anyway no big deal I just used my 30' recovery strap as a tree protector but still what if I had not had that extra line on my winch. Anyway I guess no matter what you have there will be a situation where it wont be enough. My next purchase will be a pull pall. Nice forum by the way!

 

[Scott Brady]

The limiting factor for length on my set-up is the winch cage. The synthetic lines are so light, I would have gone longer if possible. I just carry a 50' extension and a bunch of straps. My set-up is more to the fast and light side of the scale.