Page 1 of 1
Modding a highmount for comps.
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:27 pm
by Draven
Hi guys, Need some advice if possible.
Just got myself a old high mount winch that i would like to mod up to put on a comp vehicle.
Just wondering if there was a list of stuff that needs to be done to these beasties before they are comp worthy...eg drain plugs, bracing etc.
Pictures would be *awesome*
Thanks in advance.
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:00 pm
by Hoonz
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:40 am
by toughnut
I waterproofed the winch and put on a 6 hp motor. I've had the motors resoldered with silver solder so I can run 24V through them without melting the normal solder. We'll see how that goes during OBC. I also had the back of the winch braced up similar to a low mount. If you look at a low mount you'll see 2 rods running across the drum to act as a brace. I also had a fill plug and a drain plug put in so I don't have to take the whole winch off the truck to service it. I've also tapped air lines into the winch motors so I can run air into them to cool the motor a little. There are a heap more tricks that you can do. You can replace the bushes with bearings etc. These are just a couple of things you can do. I'm sure that there are a whole heap of other stuff that people like doing to help them in comps. Even to the point of joining 2 motors or 2 complete winch gear boxes together as a double headed winch.

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:31 am
by Jeff80
Toughnut, when you say you waterproofed it, how is that done? Ive pulled mine appart, re-sealed it with silicone at the motor end and the gearbox end (its a xp9500). Any where else? Im guessing water and crud can still get in via the drum?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:42 am
by cj
I need a new motor for an old high mount I have got and was wondering what peoples opinions were between the 4.6 and the 6.5 as I don't think the price difference is much and this won't be for competition use. I have heard that the 6.5 tends to carbon up more but...it does have more power.
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:31 am
by Draven
Hoonz,
I had done a search and really didnt find much at all.. Althought i did find that link u posted. I found it was basicly just a rebuild howto, and didnt seem to go into bracing / modding much.
toughnut,
Thanks for the info, its somewhere to start anyway.. I dont think im going to run 24v at this stage, but am very keen on making sure this winch lasts.
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:52 am
by cj
This is something I came across some time ago and may be helpful to you.
http://www.offroader.com.au/tricks/WarnWinchMods.cfm
Also there was an article in 4WD Monthly Issue 67 06/04 about Mal Leslie and his winch mods.
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 4:13 pm
by toughnut
Jeff80 wrote:Toughnut, when you say you waterproofed it, how is that done? Ive pulled mine appart, re-sealed it with silicone at the motor end and the gearbox end (its a xp9500). Any where else? Im guessing water and crud can still get in via the drum?
I don't think a 9500 will be big enough for that thing you have in your avatar

You've pretty much done what you can to waterproof it. Just keep the gearbox grease and oiled. If you drive through deep water/mud then take the time to go through and clean the winch and all the other stuff before the water takes effect. It's all about prevention. If you spend to get the truck dirty then you need to spend the time to clean it properly as well.
