Mounting a EP9000 Superwinch in an All Pro bumper

ILUVULU · 03-11-2007, 09:41 AM

I bought a EP9000 as a part of the Superwinch group buy. Once I ordered that it only seemed reasonable that I would need to mount it instead of carrying it around in the back of the FJ!

I liked the looks and the weight of the All Pro bumper so....

Then came the adventures of mounting everything up.

First comment - Both the bumper and the winch are well built products. Excellent fit and finish on both. Functionality is the next test!

Second comment - The Superwinch EPI model will not fit. You need to use the EP model as this one allows the solenoid to be remote mounted.

The All Pro bumper was designed for the Warn winch. The Superwinch has the same footprint as the Warn so that worked fine. The differences come in with the extremities. The free spool selector and the control box are different and modifications are required to fit these.

Like the Warn, the right end of the winch needs to be "Clocked" to allow access to the fre spool selector. When looking at the end of the winch clock it to the 8:00 position (just below center). The hole that it looks out of needs to be modified to allow full access to the selector. Actually, if you don't provide access you can't turn it.

The All Pro design had the Warn control box mounted in its entirety inside the bumper. The Superwinch control box does not fit well inside. I elected to simply lose the box, mount the solenoid inside and mount the control cable plug directly to the surface of the bumper. I'm real pleased with this by the way.

The other difference is the mounting bolt direction of the superwinch. Evidently, the Warn bolts are accessible from the top. The Superwinch bolts are accessed from the bottom. The nuts are trapped in the winch housing.
Therefore you need wrench access from the bottom to tighten them up. There is not clearance to fit a wrench on the front two bolts so I had to drill two new access holes to reach these bolts.

RTRAC1 · 03-11-2007, 09:48 AM

cool. thanks for posting. I havent decided on a winch yet for my allpro. good to know this option

Nevada_FJ · 03-11-2007, 10:05 PM

Nice work on getting it mounted. I did a test fit prior to purchase with minor issues. I did notice that you have the new All Pro with a bigger cut at the top. Glad to see you finally have the winch. I hope to have mine soon?????

I did have a tight fit with the handle by about 1/16", I plan to grind the tips down and see where I am. With the bolts do you think that you could get a short ratching wrench up in there? I am guessing that a socket with an elbow is to tight? What size bolt head are they? I may need to get a special wrench to tighten those two bolts vise cutting new holes. Thanks for the write up. I do like the location of the remote mount, I am still thinking I will locate it under the hood. I am jelious right now I need my winch so I can go out and play in the Tahoe snow.

trackerbb · 03-11-2007, 11:07 PM

looks great! Im jealouse as hell! I also have the all pro bumper, But I love the where you put the winch remote plug ,on top of the bumper. Mine is such a pain in the ass to get to. I might have to take my bumper off and reposition my plug. Great job.

ILUVULU · 03-12-2007, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Nevada_FJ previously said:

With the bolts do you think that you could get a short ratching wrench up in there?

Maybe if you build a special wrench....They take an 11/16" wrench. The gap is too short for a rachet. The length between support ribs is too short for a combination wrench. Maybe a shorty open end but then you have no leverage to pull it tight. Thats why I finally drilled the extra holes.

daToy · 03-13-2007, 09:26 PM

I have my winch and bumper installed. I left the hole round for the brake and I am going to cut one side of the handle off. It will then turn just fine. I also am going to cover the other hole with my License plate seeing how I have to run a front one.

I also recommend that when installing a bumper you remove the to short peaces of body trim right under the lights. If you pop the out side forward you can then slide the trim out off the bracket.

I'll Post some of my pics later.

Nevada_FJ · 03-13-2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

tdawson previously said:

I have my winch and bumper installed. I left the hole round for the brake and I am going to cut one side of the handle off. It will then turn just fine. I also am going to cover the other hole with my License plate seeing how I have to run a front one.

I also recommend that when installing a bumper you remove the to short peaces of body trim right under the lights. If you pop the out side forward you can then slide the trim out off the bracket.

I'll Post some of my pics later.

I like the plate idea. Did you have any issues with the front bolts? I plan to get mine this week and do the install over the weekend.

Thanks

daToy · 03-13-2007, 09:41 PM

I also drilled access hole after I talked with All Pro. I used a hole saw.

Nevada_FJ · 03-14-2007, 10:31 PM

I got my winch in the mail today and I was looking at your install. I have a few questions. For the solenoid did you use the plate that came with it or did you fab up a plate to mount it on? Also where did you get the short cables and the fittings for the ends? Finally where did you take the grounding wire to the battery I could not tell from the pics. Are you worried about the solenoid being exposed to the elements? Thanks for leading the way and all the help I just don't want to mess anything up.

ILUVULU · 03-15-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Nevada_FJ previously said:

I got my winch in the mail today and I was looking at your install. I have a few questions. For the solenoid did you use the plate that came with it or did you fab up a plate to mount it on? Also where did you get the short cables and the fittings for the ends? Finally where did you take the grounding wire to the battery I could not tell from the pics. Are you worried about the solenoid being exposed to the elements? Thanks for leading the way and all the help I just don't want to mess anything up.

I drilled another hole in the Superwinch provided bracket and mounted the steel solenoid plate to it. I picked up 5 feet of 2 ga wire at NAPA and some crimp connectors. Since I don't have a giant crimp tool, I used my vice to crimp the connector. Put the round shaft of a screwdriver in the vise with the connector to crimp it with a crease.

I took the ground to the ground screw at the side of the body where the battery is grounded. In the photo it is the point just up and right from the neg terminal of the battery.

The solenoid is a sealed component so the elements won't effect it at all. The only concern would be an accidental grounding. It is a good idea to wrap the solenoid connections with good electrica tape after your connections are made.

Good luck with your adventures!