Where Did You Mount Your Winch Switch

[SCHUNTER1969]

So I just picked up a Smittybilt X20 winch and I want to wire up a switch inside my 3rd Gen. 4runner. So far I have scene two options:

1) A rocker switch to turn the winch off and on and a rocker switch to make the winch go in or out. I have two available rocker switch locations but it would suck to use up my last two. See the first picture.

2)A whole mount setup, Toggle switch with cover for off and on and then push buttons or toggle switch for winch in and out. I just do not know exactly where I would mount it. See the second picture.

What do you suggest or can you post what you have done or what you have seen?

 

[SCHUNTER1969]

Well I ordered a winch control panel with bars from 12voltguy. I plan on installing it in the dead space under the cigarette lighter and to the left of the car chargers. I will post the work here. I attached pictures for examples of what I am talking about.

 

[Chim]

 

[SCHUNTER1969]

Chim I like where you put yours. I installed the three rocker switch panel and I would hate to eat up two rocker switch locations for the winch.

 

[kolelt]

What's wrong with simply running the controller that comes with the winch ? It reaches inside n

 

[SCHUNTER1969]

Those controllers are huge. And you have to go to the front of the car and plug it in. Also if for some reason you routed it through your fire wall and left it plugged in, where would you mount that massive switch?????

 

[rideexileex]

never understood these... get a wireless controller

https://www.amazon.com/Warn-90287-W...80466336&sr=8-1&keywords=warn+wireless+remote

 

[SCHUNTER1969]

never understood these... get a wireless controller

https://www.amazon.com/Warn-90287-W...80466336&sr=8-1&keywords=warn+wireless+remote

When you are on the trails and everything is going wrong. And you break out the winch, you need that winch to work because if not you are in a really bad situation. Last thing I want to be worrying about is some batteries in a remote being good or not. Also, I am going to keep the factory winch controller just encase but nothing beats an in cab hard wired controller.

 

[kolelt]

Those controllers are huge. And you have to go to the front of the car and plug it in. Also if for some reason you routed it through your fire wall and left it plugged in, where would you mount that massive switch?????

You keep in your truck. And when you go off roading you plug it in and run it through your window. When your done you unplug it.

 

[shootmymime]

^^^^ do that every time. op2:

 

[theesotericone]

Those controllers are huge. And you have to go to the front of the car and plug it in. Also if for some reason you routed it through your fire wall and left it plugged in, where would you mount that massive switch?????

Ummm, you have go to the front of the rig to grab the winch line. I was thinking of going in-cab controls but decided against it. I'll be going wireless with the controller as a backup. That 12v guy switch is pretty sweet though.

 

[rideexileex]

When you are on the trails and everything is going wrong. And you break out the winch, you need that winch to work because if not you are in a really bad situation. Last thing I want to be worrying about is some batteries in a remote being good or not. Also, I am going to keep the factory winch controller just encase but nothing beats an in cab hard wired controller.

You are stating the obvious - definitely keep the factory hard wired controller. I'm saying the in-cab controller is bulky, ugly, etc.

The wireless controller offers so much more. Have you ever winched while using a snatch block and not being able to see both the pulling and recovered vehicle? Try more scenarios... Wireless for the win.

 

[violation]

You are stating the obvious - definitely keep the factory hard wired controller. I'm saying the in-cab controller is bulky, ugly, etc.

The wireless controller offers so much more. Have you ever winched while using a snatch block and not being able to see both the pulling and recovered vehicle? Try more scenarios... Wireless for the win.

perhaps a dumb question (but i don't own a winch...yet)...

can you have the wired in-cab controller but also be able to run the factory controller? then you have the option of using one or the other when the time comes?

 

[csp]

Yes, you can use either one. It's just one switch or the other completing the circuit(s) that operate the winch.

One bit of warning when using a wireless remote, there is a bit of a delay between pushing the buttons and the winch doing what you want it to. If you want it to stop "right now", you have to let go of the button a second before "right now".

 

[kolelt]

You are stating the obvious - definitely keep the factory hard wired controller. I'm saying the in-cab controller is bulky, ugly, etc.

The wireless controller offers so much more. Have you ever winched while using a snatch block and not being able to see both the pulling and recovered vehicle? Try more scenarios... Wireless for the win.

The winch remote o have with my smittybilt x2o plugs into the original harness or simply unplugs thus becoming wireless. It's not like a remote that is WIRELESS! Although I don't know the aftermarket ones. But this one functions are both. WIRELESS or wired.

 

[SCHUNTER1969]

The winch remote o have with my smittybilt x2o plugs into the original harness or simply unplugs thus becoming wireless. It's not like a remote that is WIRELESS! Although I don't know the aftermarket ones. But this one functions are both. WIRELESS or wired.

Ya the remote is both wireless or wired.

I just like the hard wired controls at my finger tips in the cab.

 

[JayRolla]

I was going to do the whole winch button thing but been in situations where I wanted a buddy to run the winch control while he was spotting. That way my hands are free to keep me planted abs not flop over.

 

[nevada]

I was going to do the whole winch button thing but been in situations where I wanted a buddy to run the winch control while he was spotting. That way my hands are free to keep me planted abs not flop over.

I mounted a switch inside on the dash, AND one out by the bumper.
its SO handy. for winding in the cable when im done with the winching activity, or for any mild winching being done.

I plan to mount another one, on the other side of the truck. my current outside switch is on the passenger side, but sometimes the terrain/situation makes it easier to stand on the drivers side, so I will add a switch over there.

 

[KidVermicious]

perhaps a dumb question (but i don't own a winch...yet)...

can you have the wired in-cab controller but also be able to run the factory controller? then you have the option of using one or the other when the time comes?

Assuming you mount the control box where you can get to it. A buddy didn't, and put his control box behind the front bumper. Which was under the mud he wanted to winch out of. When his wireless failed, he was out of options.

 

[SCHUNTER1969]

X20 Wiring

When I ordered the controller panel from 12Voltguy I also got the wireharness. I just opened up the control box and found a Red, White, Blue, and Black wire. Does anybody know which is which?