Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Ford Explorer Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
anyone here running a rugged ridge winch? anyone here with a winch running in cab controls? for the life of me i cant figure out how to wire up in cab controls or a wireless remote to this thing. uses a single module instead of multiple solenoids.
I have a milemarker 12,000 pounder on mine. The handheld remote has three wires in it, one that has power on it, one wire for line in, and one wire for line out. All you need is to find a connector that fits the winch (mine uses the same connector as an old round four wire trailer connector), or use your exisitng cord if you don't plan on using it. Next you need a spring loaded three position switch, one where the lever is normally in the middle position and springs back to that position when you let off the lever. In one of my old trucks, I used the switch from the original handheld remote and mounted it in the dash. The power wire goes to the center pin of the switch, the other two wires go to the other pins. I am actually putting one of these to gether for my Explorer, I'll get some pictures when I do.
My hand held controller for my winch was starting to give me fits, it would only work when it felt like it instead of when I needed it to work. This is what it looked like
When I cut it open, this is what I found
Why it was having problems, grundgy, corroded contacts
With the wires completely removed from the original housing, the blue wire is the power wire, the other two are your power in and power out wires.
Strip the ends of the wires and crimp on some terminals for your three way switch. It should be the type of switch that springs back to center (off) when you let go of the lever. The power wire goes to the center pin of the switch, the other two go to either side of the switch.
At this point you need to route the wire up to the dash or wherever you want to mount your switch. I haven't decided where I want to mount mine yet, so I don't have any pictures of it yet. I use zip ties to secure the wiring as I route it through the engine compartment. It will be easier to run your wires if you leave them disconnected from the switch. Leave the harness unplugged from the winch while you are routing the wires because the one wire has power on it if the winch is connected to the battery. Once you have your wiring routed and secured and you have your switch mounted, plug the wire into your winch and your done.
didnt take any pictures of the wire routing.. but basically I tapped 3 wires into the remote plug in and ran them in the cab and to the ashtray. main power goes through a led lit toggle for off and on power, then to the momentary switch with the other leads for the in and out controls
Is that the harbor freight wireless winch controller? If so dont bother. I have gone through 2 of them and each one worked maybe 3 times before quitting. I only use my winch mounted to my car trailer also, not in mud or water.
An update on mine; I ended up installing a wireless winch controller on mine, the local TSC had them for twenty bucks. Since I already had the switch ran into the cab, I left it there and wired the controller to those wires. This keeps the wireless controller in the cab, and out of the elements. It has been working good so far. My only gripe is that it has a slight delay when you push the buttons. Nothing major really, you get used to it.
Is that the harbor freight wireless winch controller? If so dont bother. I have gone through 2 of them and each one worked maybe 3 times before quitting. I only use my winch mounted to my car trailer also, not in mud or water.
Nah, Bull Dog is a brand name. Another member here works at a off Road fab shop and they wire this into the winch's they install, regardless of make or style modules/solenoids. So I am going to give it the old college try.
