Winches

[Greatscott]

I have been on a quest to put a winch in my Capra, and have been amazed on how little information there is.

What is a good winch setup for the Carpa, what winches are you using, and how are they mounted?

 

[Lashlee]

DSM off road used to make a mount that went under the hood, but I don't see it on their site anymore. Maybe someone will have one laying around that they aren't using. I'm not sure who else made one...

 

[JimrC]

I'm sure that West Desert Wheeler does winch mounts for the Capra.

 

[bgredjeep]

That design is also posted as an stl on thingiverse if you want to print it. I printed one for a local a while back. At the time Logan wasn't selling them but I guess he's gotten another batch done since then.

 

[Greatscott]

I'm sure that West Desert Wheeler does winch mounts for the Capra.

I took a look at that one. and was ready to order it, but none of their pay methods I have.

That design is also posted as an stl on thingiverse if you want to print it. I printed one for a local a while back. At the time Logan wasn't selling them but I guess he's gotten another batch done since then.

I downloaded the files. Better than just having the *.STLs, the author also included the *.step file.
The file itself doesn't fit properly, removing a couple of the parts got it to fit, but it pokes the spool out of the hood. I could fiddle with it a bit more, but decided to go a different direction.

I REALLY wanted a bolt-on solution here, but in the end, I have made my own mount...

Screenshot 2025-05-18 125708 by Scott O, on Flickr

Screenshot 2025-05-18 125804 by Scott O, on Flickr

This zipties under the X-brace to the two frame rails, and bumps up to the light bezel LED retainer screws.
As designed, it will poop out the line about 10mm inboard of the left headlight.

Most certainly not the prettiest thing I have designed, but it will be hidden under the hood, so its aesthetics can be lacking as long as it works.

It is not 100% done, I am still waiting on the spool for my micro servo, and I will likely have to move the fairlead over a little bit. For some stupid reason I thought a $90 micro winch would come with a spool...

 

[89Industries]

What micro winch did you get?

 

[Col_Sanders]

Probably Reefs. IIRC the 179s don't come with a spool. I think they also don't come programmed as a winch so you have to buy their programmer to do that.

 

[Greatscott]

Probably Reefs. IIRC the 179s don't come with a spool. I think they also don't come programmed as a winch so you have to buy their programmer to do that.

BINGO!!!

I know Reefs has quality parts, and you are getting what you pay for, but I think they also nickle and dime their customers a bit on parts you need and don't provide.

 

[Col_Sanders]

I wanted to run one of those but decided against it for that reason. Im not going to buy a programmer to use one time. They should set it as a winch if that's how you buy it.

Ended up with a 3 Brothers Atlas instead.

 

[Greatscott]

I wanted to run one of those but decided against it for that reason. Im not going to buy a programmer to use one time. They should set it as a winch if that's how you buy it.

Ended up with a 3 Brothers Atlas instead.

I wish I knew about the 3 Brothers winch before I went down the Reefs money-trail. I ordered the programmer last night, its $26... Direct from Reefs I had to pay another $7 for shipping, and the damn thing scheduled to take two weeks for delivery... Yup... I am a bit annoyed. Just hoping at the end of this money trail I have a good winch.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Hopefully it is worth it. Never used a steering servo from Reefs but I do use their winches. One of my 300IS winches is on its 3rd year of competition and still going strong. Our winches get used a lot. If the Atlas does not work out, I'll be sticking another 300IS in my new comp truck too.

 

[Greatscott]

Well, I have a spool, and I programmer now, and starting the process of getting the winch installed.

I made a few more tweaks on the design, but it basically the same. It is still uglier than my brother's 9th-grade girl friend, however, like her, it will get the job done.

Untitled by Scott O, on Flickr

by Scott O, on Flickr

by Scott O, on Flickr

by Scott O, on Flickr

by Scott O, on Flickr

by Scott O, on Flickr

I should get the whole mess wired up tomorrow and have it out for some testing.