Idea for a winch mod

[General Mcgregor]

Was crawling under my truck today and had a thought. I noticed that the clutch pedal control lever lies on the outer edge of the frame with a clear, unobstructed view to the front bumper. Got an idea, what if you built a lever on the bumper so you could control your clutch from outside while winching? Now this may be a bad Idea but I just wanted to run it by you guys. Obviously you would set your E-brake, make sure it is NOT in gear and most importanly only use this system if you HAD to. But I think if it was built properly, with the proper hardware it could work.

A couple notes about the sketch, slack would be left on the line to allow normal clutch operation.
The lever on the front would have a spring to disengage the clutch (pressure must be applied to the lever at all times in order to send power to the winch)
A locking clamp would lock the lever in the stowed pos when not in use

Please know that I am not trying to kill or hurt anyone I just want to know if this idea is possible. I am not posting this because I want to operate the winch by myself outside, just if I need to in an emergency.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Westech]

I like to run my self over with a 14K pound truck. ... I have winched many a trucks and have pulled the truck with the winch many many times... that is why they give you a 15 foot remote for new winches.

It may work.. it may kill you

 

[jesusgatos]

Sounds like kind of a neat idea to me. Don't see why you couldn't make it full-on remote-control if that would be safer or more useful.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Sounds like a good idear to me.

 

[porkysplace]

Basicly the same principal wreckers used for years and years.

 

[Westech]

I saying I would NEVER stand in front of the truck.... if you could make is so your on the driver side (ez to jump in the cab if a problem) off on the side of the truck I would say its a cool idea.. Just not INFRONT.

 

[gimpyrobb]

The wreckers have a clutch disconnect on the back of them. Can't be any worse.

 

[General Mcgregor]

I saying I would NEVER stand in front of the truck.... if you could make is so your on the driver side (ez to jump in the cab if a problem) off on the side of the truck I would say its a cool idea.. Just not INFRONT.

I suppose you could run it to the driver's side edge of the bumper but I think if it was right next to the winch it would allow you to spool your cable back up perfectly without an assistant. And all you would need to do is let go of the lever and the drum would stop turning, if built properly.

 

[rebel_raider]

Sounds like an excellent idea to me. Safety first, of course.

 

[topo]

I was able to add a air cylinder to the winch on my 5ton I bought every thing off ebay . the switch has a neutral position in the center so when you shift it let the winch turn enough to engage turn the switch back to neutral . the switch is used to shift the dog in or out and not to hold it in position and the shift lever can still be shifted the dogs from out side the truck . maybe this will help

 

[jesusgatos]

Whether you use a mechanical, air-powered or electric solution, there are a bunch of different and equally viable ways to accomplish what you're suggesting. Safety shouldn't be an issue if whatever you devise it designed/built well.

 

[pwrwagonfire]

I was able to add a air cylinder to the winch on my 5ton I bought every thing off ebay . the switch has a neutral position in the center so when you shift it let the winch turn enough to engage turn the switch back to neutral . the switch is used to shift the dog in or out and not to hold it in position and the shift lever can still be shifted the dogs from out side the truck . maybe this will help

I think this is a very good idea...

However as to the original idea, my thought would be there is a reason they never made this feature on deuces, safety

Probably would make things much easier in certain situations, but I prefer to always have a second person with me, and doing this clutch thing would make me tempted to use it often

 

[steelandcanvas]

Nice idea! But with the concern for safety, why not put an engine stop handle next to your remote clutch lever? If Murphy arrives to muck things up, kill the motor. Just my .

 

[steelandcanvas]

However as to the original idea, my thought would be there is a reason they never made this feature on deuces, safety.

The Engineers that were involved in that design probaly assumed there would always be a Driver and Assistant Driver to operate the vehicle and winch.

 

[wikallen]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1NnL83UpuQ[/media]

 

[Bunkerbuilder]

Not that its a bad idea but My winch is on the back just behind the license plate area.

I like the idea of pulling myself out of what I got stuck in not digging myself in deeper.

 

[pwrwagonfire]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hbg5p9QU20&NR=1

 

[Recovry4x4]

Besides the safety issue I'd be concerned with throwout bearing wear. I can see folks letting the truck sit with the clutch disengaged while adjusting or rigging things. I also like the quasi safety of winching from within the cab.

 

[Floridianson]

Don't see any problems or ever had any problems by myself with the set up the way it is now. Like Chris said use the set up like the 816 if you feel you can't handel it. I would not have put the air cyl.on the engagement lever when clutch disengagement is more importent.

 

[jesusgatos]

Anybody have any pictures or diagrams showing how the 816 setup works?