I’m thinking about relocating the solenoids from my 12k warn under hood and was curious to see pics of what others have done and where you all have put it. The main reason for this would be to help increase airflow to the radiator at highway speeds.
Winch solenoid relocation
- Thread starter vapilotda
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #3
That would free up some room!
LC4LIFE
Supporting Vendor
If you search, you will see many others have relocated too, but here's mine.
But where do you keep your spare quarts of oil now?!
I did similar with my solenoid box, since it wouldn't fit nicely behind my bumper anyway.
Still fits a quart easily, to the side of the solenoid.
You can see it sitting there in this pic:
Still fits a quart easily, to the side of the solenoid.
You can see it sitting there in this pic:
- Thread starter
- #7
Behind the bumper is a good idea. The ARB has a bit of room. I, unfortunately, have that metric TLC fuse panel where you all have put your solenoid packs. I guess I could relocate the washer bottle and put it on the other side. I don’t see myself doing a second battery.
I did similar with my solenoid box, since it wouldn't fit nicely behind my bumper anyway.
View attachment 1556912
Still fits a quart easily, to the side of the solenoid.
View attachment 1556914
It will have a negligible effect. If you're having trouble staying cool, there are other places to look for solutions.
- Thread starter
- #9
I definitely hear what you are saying. My temps will rise to about 205 mid summer when driving highway speeds and driving up hill. The cooling system is all new to include the modified fan clutch and a recently completed head gasket. The lights and possibly the solenoid on my arb impede air flow at highway speeds. The truck idles and will wheel all day long under 190 on the coolant temp. I’ve pulled the winch and lights off to verify that the truck will stay at 190 on the highway so that is how I came to this conclusion. I thought I would try the solenoid move first as I’d like to keep the lights but what do ya do. I’ve just been watching the temp and running a little bit of heat in the cab and it brings it right back down. It never overheats nor does it make the factory gauge move. I’m just being anal and want to keep my temps below 200.
Sounds good on the trail, but if you're pulling 205 at highway speed, something's still wrong. If you modded the clutch yourself, might need more fluid. When I first R&R my original radiator, I modded my fan clutch and didn't get it full enough. A few more grams made the difference.
- Thread starter
- #12
Something is not right.
Did you use OEM parts (radiator, thermostat, etc)?
Is your fan shroud in place and does it have a good seal to the radiator?
Are you getting the "startup roar" of the fan when you start the cold engine?
Have you made certain that the A/C condenser coil is clean?
If this is only an issue at highway speeds, then I would look at the fan clutch.
On the highway, there will be a large "bow wave" of air moving AROUND the front of the truck because the 80 Series is as aerodynamic as a brick. The fan creates negative pressure behind the radiator and therefore creates air flow through the radiator. If the fan clutch is not operating properly, then you will not get proper airflow through the cooling system.
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Trusty Rusty
SILVER Star
@LC4LIFE @I Lean did you guys fab up your own mounting brackets? I like tucking in front of the battery - nice work. I'm scoping this project right now - no real needs other than aesthetics, but would like to pull it off of the winch/ShortBus and get my grille back. 
I did similar with my solenoid box, since it wouldn't fit nicely behind my bumper anyway.
View attachment 1556912
Still fits a quart easily, to the side of the solenoid.
View attachment 1556914
Here's a pic of my winch solenoid relocate.
I added a second battery using the OEM battery box for the right side of the truck. I just drilled holes in the new box, being very careful to avoid getting into the nasty dust this creates. The solenoid box does get a little fan splatter, but this has proved to be a good location as it's reliably worked the few times it was needed since the install nearly 15 years ago. It's also about as high as you can get it in the engine compartment (except for maybe a firewall mount) so keeps it relatively high and dry
I added a second battery using the OEM battery box for the right side of the truck. I just drilled holes in the new box, being very careful to avoid getting into the nasty dust this creates. The solenoid box does get a little fan splatter, but this has proved to be a good location as it's reliably worked the few times it was needed since the install nearly 15 years ago. It's also about as high as you can get it in the engine compartment (except for maybe a firewall mount) so keeps it relatively high and dry
Yes, just a simple sheet metal bracket. Bolts on with the single existing bolt to the core support, then bent down to catch the solenoid bolt holes.
