2015 What have you done to your 4x4 lately?

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Well, put the winch in today and had to run to two different Ace Hardwares for the correct length Grade 8 bolts (used 2" with the Rugged Trail (?) spacer blocks that Malcolm suggested in case anybody is counting). Pretty easy install until the creativity set in to get the solenoid box in a good spot.

I'm thinking that on the solenoid box, I'm going to buy a piece of steel (7" or so), drill a couple holes in it, and run it in line with the two bolts that are used for the horn on the front section. It'll be big enough that I can bolt another couple pieces of steel to the back of the solenoid box and run it to this piece behind the horn. I'll probably use some zipties to make sure it doesn't flop around too much while driving.

Anybody have any better or easier suggestion? Unfortunately, my ability to fabricate is reduced to drill bits, bolts, and spray paint.

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half k cruiser said:
@rockstate45 I probably still have my bracket that I used to mount my solenoid to my old ARB. Looks like this.....
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Oh that's clutch bracket! I saw a pic of it in the other thread after I posted here earlier. That thought crossed my mind, and to be honest, like the idea of it closer to my light, hoping to reduce the amount of blocked airflow.

How'd you make it? I wonder if I can reproduce it easily at the hardware store.
 
I mounted Mitch's in the space between the battery and radiator support. Flattened the brackets that came on the box and created an "L" bracket. Drilled holes thru the ears and screwed from the top down thru the radiator support.

I did not use any of the cables that came with the winch. Advance Auto sells 0-gauge wire in bulk that is flexible with a very strong casing along with copper ends so u can make custom lengths. There's a nice gap allowing them to be run to the winch without any challenges. The box opens up easily so terminating the connections is a piece of cake.
 
half k cruiser said:
I think it was two mending plates that I cut and welded together. You can get them at just about any hardware store.
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I went there tonight to look. After spending about 15 minutes looking around at what they have, I realized that I can't do it with the tools that I have and keep it as clean as I want it. I don't have a way to bend it and I don't have a way to weld it.

You'll have to forgive my F for effort attempt at photoshopping what I'm trying to do. I'd like to run a piece of flat steel horizontally for rigidity, then have a drop piece of steel long enough that I can drop the solenoid box under the horn. Should be doable... I just need to find a way to get it done. At that point, it's pretty much completely hidden.

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You can reuse the brackets that come with the control box.You just have to bend them straight and cut off the excess length, plus drill a hole or two. Thats actually what I used to mount my box up in the location you have on your picture. If you want to PM me your number I can text you a pic of what I did to mine. If you run out of ideas you can always have my old bracket, but it will mount the box outside on the bumper.
 
@rockstate45 I'm free Wed or Thu evening if you want to swing by and I can help you get this figured out. Txt me when works best for you.
 
Robkc said:
@rockstate45 I'm free Wed or Thu evening if you want to swing by and I can help you get this figured out. Txt me when works best for you.
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You're the man, Rob! I'll have to text ya a little closer to Thursday on if my plans are still on or if they've fallen through. I'm not too concerned about doing it today or even this week since I don't hope to need it anytime soon so you don't have to plan anything around me. I may do a temp mount like Malcolm did and sent pictures of in the meantime if I have any spare time tonight.
 
Big thank you to Rob R for letting me use his garage Friday night and Rob K for some help on chasing down the electrical issue.

Got the electrical thing sorted out and wired up the winch and built a bracket. Rob R was kind enough to show me a couple tricks and also let me pull the trigger on the welder.

Pics are self explanatory... First pic is a pic of my first... Well, second.. Weld.

Do you guys find it absolutely necessary to put a circuit/fuse on the positive? I'd like to from a safety standpoint but I put some of that plastic wrap as a precaution on the positive wire.

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New shoe's 315 ko2. Nice and quiet down the highway. Now I hear more turbo than tire.

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Sent from my SM-G900V
 
Took out tons of crimp connectors and lots of extra wire on new 40.
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Let's say your name is Mike, or Erik, or Rob (that should include about 3/4 of this club now)...

and let's say you found a gauge that would determine how much of a Mike, Erik or Rob you are.

What would you call that gauge? A "ME" gauge???? Seems a little conceited to me.
 
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Thanks to Half l

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And there you go..... the me gauge.

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Is that a universal gauge pod? Or something spicific to the 80?

Sent from my SM-G900V
 
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