Winch cradle installed on factory trailer hitch

Discussion in 'Renegade Show & Tell' started by red/green hawk, Nov 26, 2017.

  1. red/green hawk

    red/green hawk Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2017
    Messages:
    146
    Location:
    New Mexico
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    After much deliberation between purchasing a front mounting winch bumper and rear mounted winch cradle I installed an X-bull winch cradle on my rear trailer hitch. That was easy. Harder part was wiring in the winch. I wired it in using a diagram one would use to wire in a winch on a trailer.
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    This is the connector that is zip tied to the hitch until I can figure a better way to secure it.
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    This is the ground from the connector. I found a nut on the driver side just below the tow hook bolt that had nothing attached.
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    I ran the positive cable behind the muffler heat shield, above the rear driver's side control arm, through the skid plate and in the brake line protector. I had to loosen it and shove the cable in there. As you can see it's a tight fit but it worked and should keep the cable from getting yanked or caught.
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    I found this ground point from the battery after taking the engine skid plate off. This is where the rear of the transmission bolts on to part of the frame.
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    I was worried the hatchback wouldn't clear but it does by a good inch or so.
    Overall I'm happy with the outcome. Winch bumper would have cost me $500+. Everything not including Smittybilt 9500 XRC (which I got on eBay for $280), cost me less than $100. I used 15 ft of 2/0 gauge wire for positive cable that got off ebay for $23 and 4/0 gauge wire battery cable from Autozone for the grounds. I got the quick disconnect at Walmart for $11. I like the fact I can take it off and store it inside. The winch won't get the brunt of the elements 24/7/365. It's a real easy connect/disconnect. I guess I really didn't want a semi permanent bumper attached to the front at all times. This setup doesn't effect the departure angle either.
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2017
  2. red/green hawk

    red/green hawk Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    New Mexico
  3. Dgr401

    Dgr401 Well-Known Member

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    Rhode Island, USA
  4. red/green hawk

    red/green hawk Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2017
    Messages:
    146
    Location:
    New Mexico
    Thank you, I think 100-110 lbs. Winch is 77 lbs, cradle is another 23 lbs. Don't know if fairlead is included in winch weight or steel cable for that matter. Fairlead is another 10 lbs or so. It's got some weight, but it's not an atv winch either. It literally takes a minute to hook it up and another to take it off again.
    I'm running BF Goodrich KO2s 225/65/17. I also have 1 1/2 inch Daystar lift installed and 1.25 inch Rugged Ridge wheel spacers.
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2017
    Dgr401 likes this.

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