Winch plate and winch wiring.

[MikeB]

My M38 is not stock, so a period correct solutiona are not needed but I do want something that does not look out of place.

Firstly, I am Mounting a 8500 lbs winch, but can not find a mounting plate specifically for a CJ3 or M38.

What have some of you done in the past to mount your witches? Made your own mounting plate, modified something from a different era?

Second question, I relocated the battery to the rear, running 2/0 gauge cable from the battery pos + to a bus bar on the fire wall, and grounded the battery neg - to the chassis with 4 gauge.

Should I be ok running the winch pos + to the firewall bus bar with 4 gauge and the winch neg -  to the chassis also with 4 gauge or should I run both back and connect direct to the battery, if I do that I would need to run 1 or 0 gauge to counter amp drop.

Third question, should I use a inline fuse or circuit breaker on the winch pos + cable? Would need to be around 300 amps if I do. I do have a battery isolation switch on the battery neg - cable.

[johnrb3b]

Firstly, I am Mounting a 8500 lbs winch, but can not find a mounting plate specifically for a CJ3 or M38.
What have some of you done in the past to mount your witches? Made your own mounting plate, modified something from a different era?

My first try was make my own mount using angle iron, U-channel, etc. I broke it once and rebuilt it stronger. Now I'm going to replace it with a generic, Harbor Freight mounting plate, modified as needed.
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-channel-winch-mount-62446.html

Should I be ok running the winch pos + to the firewall bus bar with 4 gauge and the winch neg -� to the chassis also with 4 gauge or should I run both back and connect direct to the battery, if I do that I would need to run 1 or 0 gauge to counter amp drop.

I'd say you'll be OK with 4/0 to the bus.

Third question, should I use a inline fuse or circuit breaker on the winch pos + cable? Would need to be around 300 amps if I do. I do have a battery isolation switch on the battery neg - cable.

Yes, protect it separately.
But
I doubt you need 300A. My 9,000lb winch is wired with a 100A breaker and it's good. I've pulled myself out of axle deep sand with it. No problem.

[duffer]

Protecting a winch circuit is sort of damned if you do, damned if you don't.  Current draw a stall will vary a lot between different winches but rest assured, if the pull rating is 8000 lbs or more, the draw is going to be far greater than 100 amps.  For the classic Warn 8274, the draw at stall is listed as 480 amps.  Therefore, if you wish to maintain the full pull rating for the winch, you would have to have that large of breaker.  And if you did put that breaker in, what happens if you do short it?  You will still have your own version of an on-board welder working under the hood likely well before blowing the breaker.

I gave this a lot of thought and finally just ran the winch cables in my 3B sans protection but those leads are VERY WELL protected.  Those are 2-0 welding cable with two layers of split loom all mounted in EDPM/stainless steel Adel clamps.  One could put something like a Tweco a welding cable quick connect in the line to allow a speedy disconnect.

https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/tweco-cable-connector-positive-cam-1-0-3-0-cable-2mpc?utm_source=shopzilla&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=154&utm_campaign=product-ads

[duffer]

Winch mounting?  If you have a welder and the skill to use it, the options are countless.
My latest version that mounts either the early Warn/Belleview or the 8274.




No purchased parts in that mounting.

[MikeB]

Thanks for the advise, I decided to fab up my own, not 100% done yet, but I think it will work just fine, used 1/4� thick plate and angle, with another 1/4� frame underneath, it will be secured to the frame with 4 x 1/2�-NF grade 8 bolts thru the top and 2 x 9/16-NF grade 8 bolts thru the sides, the frame is boxed so I put tubing thru the frame. Went with a 150 amp breaker, it�s rated at 150 amp continuous use and 300 amp peak, it can also be reset.

[Steve R]

Previous owner welded a 1/4 plate between the frame rails. Had a 5000 lb Badlands on it. Just had a Smittybuilt 9600 installed in its place. Haven't used it but it certainly fits.