look what my credit card brought me toady!

looks like i'll finally be able to join the "modified" league!

nice i been wantin a winch for days now

Smittybilt XRC 8 Winches 97281 - SummitRacing.com

Any updates?

i've been slow.... clocked & pre-wired the winch, still wiring the lights, fixed the saws-all so i can install this Sunday!

right side welded



My Welding skills have mucho suffered over time....



mounted and mostly straight... tomorrow is wiring and fitting the grille around the winch control box!

Bumper and lights installed!



i have a serious problem with the winch however... it doesn't work! it doesn't click, the lights on the controller don't do anything, it's as if it didn't have any power.... which it does, power on red and ground on ground (black) and ground on the yellow (reverse i assume?)

So now i get to call '4wheelparts' and use my service / replacement warranty before the FIRST TIME OUT!

mixed feeling right now is an understatement....

hey...uuuuhhh...gotta quick question...since ur credit card got u that very nice ARB...and winch...u think ur credit card would be nice enough to get me on too?? HAHA....jk

yeah that lil bas**** gets me into all sorts of trouble!

so just FYI, the plug that the remote for the winch plugs into, you have to plug in then rotate clockwise about 1/4 inch to make the contacts engage!

i felt like such an ass! he walked out to the runner with me, and i demonstrated plugging it in, then hit the switch with no action, then i went to open the hood (and show him it was connected) and i hear the winch turn on, back then forth, i was flabbergasted! what did you do!?!?!? with out a word he un plugs / re-plugs, and said "turn the plug to hold it in place"........... well SOB, i then started laughing at myself... I shook his hand thanking him profusely as i felt like the dumbest mofo ever!




winch works great!

went up into the hills a little bit yesterday... had a couple questions for the passer by's....

here's a demonstration of how crappy the Firestone Destination A/T's are:



That's as far as the tires would go! even in 4wd Lo, their isn't much of a grade there, about 10 or so degree's....

And not much snow... it was melting and VERY heavy.



Question: how does everyone keep the cable on their winch spooled evenly? i read it's important, but even under load i can't seam to keep it even...?

isn't she purdy!

nice rig. yeah keeping the line spooled evenly is important, that way you dont kink the line or damage it. its best to spool it in under a load, ive always used a pry-bar to help guide the line and set it where i want. you might want to invest in some shackles, for you bumper, and then use some 3/4" ballcock washers(you can find them at any plumbing or ace hardwear store(home depot and lowes didnt have them) to keep the shackles from rattling around on your bumper. also if you want to put your license plate over the opening for your winch cable(i recommend this -saves the cable from getting road spray and grime all over it), you can buy those maglight wall mount clips... they are the perfect size for the rollers on the fairlead.

that's a good idea about keeping the fairleed clean and an actual function for the front plate!

i do have 2 shackles and i used one to attach to the tow strap which lasso's the tree stumps, i just don't like things hanging from the bumper.... i was trying to feed the cable onto the winch through my gloves as i wound it up, but it didn't help much....

So as "the kid" recommended, the D-Cell Mag light mounts for the front plate worked great! Hold securely and easily removable for access to winch!



and i decided on tyres too, 265/75/R16's (so my cheap ass doesn't have to buy wheels/ and other mod's that are needed to fit 285's) holy crap these things have some traction!! i may not need my new winch anymore!

So i went wheeling today! lightly i mean with the girlfriend.... only a couple feet of snow, soggy wet shit! these tyres are amazing!!!

question / problem: when i was bogging through this heap of wet snow (in 4 low) with all 4 wheels spinning, my temperature gauge started to skyrocket! i saw / smelled it happening, and took breaks for her to cool down.... but ummm i don't think this is right? i haven't installed the tranny cooler yet, but i really doubt that would have made a difference? so should i replace the fan with an electric or is that not my issue? i was doing 1/8 MPH Turing 3-4k RPMS slinging snow all over the place! she was working!!! so is warming up 3/4 of the way to red out of the norm? would appreciate some input on this please!

.... fixed, replaced radiator!