Installed the Superwinch 3500 Synth today. The kit came with everything you need to do the install. I chose the synthetic rope to save weight; it basically weighs nothing. Any weight I can save on the rig is good. Took about 4.5 hours and I went carefully. All the supplied wires were just the correct length.
The KFI mounting plate (purchased separately) bolted into place with no problem. The two u-bolts were abit tight so I spread them about 2 mm and they fit fine.
Next the fairlead bolted onto the plate that comes with the winch.
I decided to mount the relay / stator under the front hood. I've had to replace these winch relays so wanted it easy to access. There is a stock location to mount the relay on the cross member. I looked and felt it was too close to the opening in the inner fender so would be splashed a lot. Where I mounted it, alittle further forward, was clean so I figure the relay won't get splashed as much. It's about the cleanest, driest place on the machine.
I jacked the rig up, took the passenger side tires off and removed the skid plates. That gave me access to run the two heavy guage wires from the battery to the relay up front.
I used the supplied short red wire from the positive battery terminal to the fuses. A plastic box is supplied to protect the fuses. I siliconed the box up to keep it water tight. The box is zip tied in place in the wheel well. I didn't have to cut the battery box... just ran the positive wire down with the other wiring.
There's a ground point just to the right of the battery box. I started my negative lead there. Figured it would be fine. I then ran the two heavy wires up in the frame, zip-tying it next to the main wiring harness that goes to the front of the machine. There is little to no chance of mechanical abrasion of these two wires so I'm pretty pleased with the route. Lots of room under there.
I didn't follow the colour-coding of the wires. Not a big deal. The supplied heavy wires were the perfect length to get to where I'd placed the relay. They supplied rubbery plastic sleaves that protect the four contact points. It makes a nice clean job.
I placed the on-off switch on the flat spot under the left / driver's side cup holder. I removed the cup holder to get a screw driver in there. It's a convenient place for the switch, out of the way, and relatively dry. There's a seam in the plastic right next to where the switch is placed, with enough room to push the wire from the switch into the front compartment. Ran that wire across towards where I had the relay. I had already installed the Honda auxiliary power harness (it just plugs in to a plug that is ready and waiting there under the front hood). Used one of the four power points on the auxiliary harness to power the relay.
I haven't installed the remote-control plug yet. I'll think about where to put it for afew days.
And voila. Winch works fine.
The KFI mounting plate (purchased separately) bolted into place with no problem. The two u-bolts were abit tight so I spread them about 2 mm and they fit fine.
Next the fairlead bolted onto the plate that comes with the winch.
I decided to mount the relay / stator under the front hood. I've had to replace these winch relays so wanted it easy to access. There is a stock location to mount the relay on the cross member. I looked and felt it was too close to the opening in the inner fender so would be splashed a lot. Where I mounted it, alittle further forward, was clean so I figure the relay won't get splashed as much. It's about the cleanest, driest place on the machine.
I jacked the rig up, took the passenger side tires off and removed the skid plates. That gave me access to run the two heavy guage wires from the battery to the relay up front.
I used the supplied short red wire from the positive battery terminal to the fuses. A plastic box is supplied to protect the fuses. I siliconed the box up to keep it water tight. The box is zip tied in place in the wheel well. I didn't have to cut the battery box... just ran the positive wire down with the other wiring.
There's a ground point just to the right of the battery box. I started my negative lead there. Figured it would be fine. I then ran the two heavy wires up in the frame, zip-tying it next to the main wiring harness that goes to the front of the machine. There is little to no chance of mechanical abrasion of these two wires so I'm pretty pleased with the route. Lots of room under there.
I didn't follow the colour-coding of the wires. Not a big deal. The supplied heavy wires were the perfect length to get to where I'd placed the relay. They supplied rubbery plastic sleaves that protect the four contact points. It makes a nice clean job.
I placed the on-off switch on the flat spot under the left / driver's side cup holder. I removed the cup holder to get a screw driver in there. It's a convenient place for the switch, out of the way, and relatively dry. There's a seam in the plastic right next to where the switch is placed, with enough room to push the wire from the switch into the front compartment. Ran that wire across towards where I had the relay. I had already installed the Honda auxiliary power harness (it just plugs in to a plug that is ready and waiting there under the front hood). Used one of the four power points on the auxiliary harness to power the relay.
I haven't installed the remote-control plug yet. I'll think about where to put it for afew days.
And voila. Winch works fine.
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