eslack32

Anyone else have a problem with their XJ running hotter than normal after installing a winch? Seems to run fine at low speeds. Only does it on the highway. My guess is that its not getting the air as it used to. Thermostat was only a year old and replaced. I even took it out and that made no difference. Radiator is less than a year old. Literally started doing this after the winch install. Just curious if anyone had the same thing happen to them.

kirknd4spd

Same thing happened with mine, the winch blocked pretty much the whole radiator (mine was a 2.5, so it had a narrower radiator than the 4.0 Jeeps, it wasn't any wider than my winch). Never made it run hot enough for me to worry about anything though.

SteveMongr

Because it is only happening on highway, I believe airflow is being diverted up and over the hood, bypassing radiator.
Will need to redirect the airflow somehow.

eslack32

Makes sense. No idea how to pull it off though. All I can come up with is relocating the solenoid box to under the hood. Not sure how much of a difference that will make since it's not very big.

Fred/N0AZZ

Post a photo of the front of your XJ with the winch. Mine sits fairly high up and I noticed no real increase in temps even in the summer with AC running on highway than before it was installed. All stock cooling system (new a few yrs ago), the solenoid is mounted on the winch also.

HS00XJ

Hide that sucker

eslack32

Here's my setup

PUNISHER

You had to show that bumper didn't you? I like that look a lot, nice, clean and out the way!!!

Jeep Driver

Dual E-fans will solve that problem.

SteveMongr

Or a ZJ fan clutch.
However, if airflow is passing up and over hood, it could pull air out of the radiator. Something the fans would have to overcome.

eslack32

I should've mentioned that I replaced the mechanical fan with a Taurus fan a year or so ago. It works great at low speed. I can watch the temp guage rapidly go down when i kick it on.

SteveMongr

Does the Taurus fan match the CFM of mechanical fan?
The fan should Always be on when engine is running

Fred/N0AZZ

With that type bumper how do you guide the cable back on the spool to keep it from getting all piled up and not wound correctly on the spool?


I have dealt with that since the days of when I owned several towing companies, of cable not spooled properly and how it affects the pull and how it pulls out the next time you go to use it.


I also like the looks of a hidden winch but as old and simple as I couldn't figure the answer to that problem with an easy answer.

HS00XJ

I haven't pulled from it yet besides spooling it off a tree and it seemed easy enough with a leather glove pushing and pulling the cable. I need to buy a fairlead for it. I don't like the look of roller fairleads but don't know how well a hawse will hold up to a metal cable.

DBMETALWORX

How about three fans?