Winch Cover Cheap

[blizzard]

So we all know we should protect our synthetic winchline, but who really wants to put a lousy bag overtop of it? I didnt. So I went to the local "Supercenter" sporting good section and bought a marine battery cover, and cut it out to fit over the drum of the winch. After I got the size cut out just right, I put a couple heavy bolts and nuts through the top to hold it down. It also comes with a strap, so I used it to hold it down as well. Post Pics when I get home

[Sarge_CJ2A]

I'm interested to see this...

[twshutika]

this needs pics ! ! !

[SavageSun4x4]

Worthless without a pic.

Sounds like YOU MAY have a good idea.

Generally my thoughts on winch covers are the same on fences. What fences keep out they also keep in. There is no free lunch, no one way street. What you have is a big electric motor, some electrical components that manage it and a spool of rope.

You CANNOT keep out the elements especially rain and dirt. If you try chances are you only end up with a rusted and shorted out winch. So any winch cover has to BREATHE in order to DRY OUT from dunking and driving in the rain.

My old Warn will work well even under water and I got pics to prove it, but you just cannot let that water set in them. Water is one of the MOST POWERFUL corrosives known and it will eat electrical components for lunch unless they can dry out.

Your idea of the plastic cover sounds like it has merit, just keep in mind about what it keeps out, it will keep in...

[blizzard]

sorry It took so long. I also forgot to mention mine wasnt made with the solenoid in mind. So If you try it keep that in mind.
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[txapacheguy]

Nice winch cover, and a clever idea... I would probably do something like that if my winch was not buried inside my bumper.

[SavageSun4x4]

sorry It took so long. I also forgot to mention mine wasnt made with the solenoid in mind. So If you try it keep that in mind.
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That is what I saw in my minds eye. I would say you have something that works and gives good air flow to keep things dry, good idea, good execution...

[blizzard]

Thanks for the compliments everyone. I enjoyed carving this out with my Gerber (haha). One of those times I wish i had a rotary tool

[sean112280]

Got to love Gerber's, good for just about everything.

[HillBillE]

Cetainly will keep the UV rays of the rope!

I just pulled the winch off of the CJ. Thought about putting it on the XJ, since I have a winch bumper on it already.

Then I took a look at the road spray and salt crap all over the front of my XJ, and figured I'll wait.

My XJ is my winter DD, and I'm not about to stick my Warn winch and MP Suprline XD rope on the front to catch the salty crap from the roads!

[SavageSun4x4]

Cetainly will keep the UV rays of the rope!

I just pulled the winch off of the CJ. Thought about putting it on the XJ, since I have a winch bumper on it already.

Then I took a look at the road spray and salt crap all over the front of my XJ, and figured I'll wait.

My XJ is my winter DD, and I'm not about to stick my Warn winch and MP Suprline XD rope on the front to catch the salty crap from the roads!

Taking care of your rope:

I wash mine about once a year. I use Dr Bronner's pure castel soap and pour a few cap fulls in a large tub I have. While I am at it I also toss in my mechanics gloves that get grease on them and anything other shop stuff that is a bit greasy.

I will let it soak a few hours and check it to see if I need to add more soap. Do that by seeing if it will still create suds, if not add a bit more soap. Let soak over night and rinse a couple of time then fill the tub with water again and let soak over night again. This gets all the soap out. Its dry out here in the desert and I will also add some fabric softener to reduce static electricity and to let the rope slide a little easier.

[Ghostfire]

Looking good man. I may have to take up this idea when I pick up my winch....

[C130Hilgy]

What if you added a few small holes to the back side of the box, as you drive down the road the air flow should cause a vacuum on that side of the box and draw out moisture. It may also draw in moisture if the vacuum is too high, which is why small holes might work best-just a thought since you are in an area that is hot during the day and cold at night, condensation can form in the box.

[blizzard]

What if you added a few small holes to the back side of the box, as you drive down the road the air flow should cause a vacuum on that side of the box and draw out moisture. It may also draw in moisture if the vacuum is too high, which is why small holes might work best-just a thought since you are in an area that is hot during the day and cold at night, condensation can form in the box.

If you were to meet my jeep in person, you could see that it can get air flow because of how It is cut, I cut it out with the fairlead in mind, there is the potential of operating it with the lid on, all though I dont plan on doing that so It can be wound up properly. but so there is a bit of a gap up front in that area. Pretty good idea tho. Im planning on figuring out a way to mount my front license plate on it. probably just nuts and bolts, but not sure if it will fit.