First use of my winch the other day, not as practice but to actually self recover from a bad mud hole. Winch performed well, it’s a Warn VR8-S, but it really overloaded my electrical system after a period of time. Pulling really slow , headlights dimming, etc.

Now it’s time to upgrade with a higher output alternator and better battery, maybe even a dual battery setup. I’d also like to delete the A/C and mount the alternator there.

I recall seeing a writeup on here with all the details, including new serpentine belt length, but I can’t find it now. Anyone have that link?

Thank you!


Couldn’t pull it out backwards.


Yep, lots of digging.


Finally pulled myself forward and to the right, but it really taxed my stock electrical system after a while.

 

Dual batteries will help more than the alternator. So will upgraded cables. Were you using a ****** block?

 

A 160 amp Durango alternator can be mounted in the stock location if you grind the bracket. And as stated upgrade your cables. A member here sells sets.

 

Been doing some research on this. Appears you have to take the block down a little too.

 

I did not have to grind the block. But I have heard of people that did. I also bought a extra bracket off ebay. Only 25$

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F303134323372

I purchased the alternator and ground the bracket before installing. Just incase something went wrong with the original bracket. If you have no down time this is the way to go.

 

Oh and swap pulleys from yours to the Durango one if you go this route.

 

Cruiser, I was using a ****** block, and it exploded. Not sure if somehow it was my fault, as I couldn’t see it at the time and my helper knows nothing about much at all and I’m sure wasn’t paying attention. ****** block was attached to a span set around a tree, I ran my winch rope through the ****** block and anchored it back to my front bumper. As far as I know that should have given me a 2:1, but I was dug into the mud deep at that point. I’m just glad no one got hurt and there wasn’t additional damage.


The parts I found.



C-clip still intact on the other side.



This is the side that failed. C-clip is missing, outer spindle flange is broken off.

 

Nothing you did. What brand ****** block?

 

Purchased online from Vault Cargo Management. No capacities stamped on it.

 

What is the winch rated at?

 

8,000 lbs.

 

How do you have it wired? What gauge wire and from where?

 

Wired as per factory instructions, though because of the design of my bumper I had to extend the cables to mount the control box in the engine compartment. I used 4ga cable, with the lugs soldered and swaged correctly.

I still want to relocate the alt to the A/C compressor position though, and from what I understand it doesn’t hurt to put in a higher output alternator.

 

This is the route i am going.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/11372231136...m=113722311362

 

You are installing in a ‘90 MJ? Wondering if it will work in my ‘89 XJ? Also, stock alt or higher output?