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Deuce with 5ton winch

rustystud

Well-known member
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Location
Woodinville, Washington
Has anyone installed the 5ton winch into a Deuce ? I have looked at the posts and all agree it would be difficult, but has anyone actually done it ? If so do you have pictures of the install ? I have the opportunity to buy a 5ton winch. Out here in the Wild NorthWest deuce winches are rare and expensive, unlike you lucky ba$tard$ in the East Coast area where every barn and empty building has a deuce winch just sitting there waiting to be taken and used. So when this chance to buy one comes by I'm seriously considering it .
Thanks.

P.S. Yes I know it's heavy, but adding extra leafs to the spring pack should help with that. I'm sure the Rockwells can take the extra weight. I also have looked at "MassM35A2's " truck and "Spicergear's " truck and install. Both leave much desired in the "picture how to" category .
 
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M543A2

New member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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Warsaw, Indiana
Sorry to hear it is so hard to find deuce winch kits where you are. That is a definite problem. The 5 ton winch however is really over-kill for the truck. By using a snatch block on the deuce 10,000 pound winch you can move more than the weight of the truck. The 10,000 pounds is a conservative rating in my experience. The 1/2" cable on the deuce winch is much easier to handle than the 5/8 on the 5 ton. Part of this depends on what you consider your time and the materials needed to do it are worth as opposed to a bolt-on at a higher initial price. In my experience an idea can look good but then it gets really complicated and more costly than anticipated at a time when it is too late to stop, so continue to study what others have done carefully before committing. If you do go with the 5 ton, go all the way and get one like on the wreckers with the level wind. It is priceless, a real time and cable saver!
Regards, and good luck! Martin Sacks
 

wilber

Member
149
24
18
Location
olathe kansas
I've got two M35-A2's with five ton winches. I took the rollers off the winches. I built the bumper extensions out of some short pieces of H-pile I cut. The only problem is a clearance problem with the winch driveshaft. It clears, but just barely. Otherwise it fits fine. I'll try to remember to take some pictures of what I have. I don't have any install picts. I also made the PTO shift apparatus using a stock one as the pattern. The build and installation of each took a long weekend. They aren't pretty, but they are stout.
 

rustystud

Well-known member
9,172
2,729
113
Location
Woodinville, Washington
I've got two M35-A2's with five ton winches. I took the rollers off the winches. I built the bumper extensions out of some short pieces of H-pile I cut. The only problem is a clearance problem with the winch driveshaft. It clears, but just barely. Otherwise it fits fine. I'll try to remember to take some pictures of what I have. I don't have any install picts. I also made the PTO shift apparatus using a stock one as the pattern. The build and installation of each took a long weekend. They aren't pretty, but they are stout.
Thanks for responding. Any close-up pictures would be great. Especially around the frame, how you have it attached. I have some frame from a older M35 I scrapped out, should come in handy.
 

rustystud

Well-known member
9,172
2,729
113
Location
Woodinville, Washington
Sorry to hear it is so hard to find deuce winch kits where you are. That is a definite problem. The 5 ton winch however is really over-kill for the truck. By using a snatch block on the deuce 10,000 pound winch you can move more than the weight of the truck. The 10,000 pounds is a conservative rating in my experience. The 1/2" cable on the deuce winch is much easier to handle than the 5/8 on the 5 ton. Part of this depends on what you consider your time and the materials needed to do it are worth as opposed to a bolt-on at a higher initial price. In my experience an idea can look good but then it gets really complicated and more costly than anticipated at a time when it is too late to stop, so continue to study what others have done carefully before committing. If you do go with the 5 ton, go all the way and get one like on the wreckers with the level wind. It is priceless, a real time and cable saver!
Regards, and good luck! Martin Sacks
I've been looking for over 3 years now, and I don't feel like paying over $2000.00 for a winch. I only payed $2400.00 for the whole truck ! I know there are some for sell on the east coast, but the freight would be a killer !
 
862
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Location
Reading Pa
I'm with you rusty..... I'm going the electric route though. Smaller lighter more compact. I'm hoping to sink a front and rear into the frame and the only thing you'll see will be fair leads.
 

rustystud

Well-known member
9,172
2,729
113
Location
Woodinville, Washington
I'm with you rusty..... I'm going the electric route though. Smaller lighter more compact. I'm hoping to sink a front and rear into the frame and the only thing you'll see will be fair leads.
I thought about an electric unit. They make some pretty nice ones. Though I really like hydraulics. Run them all day long without worrying about letting out the smoke ! You know once you let out the smoke in an electric motor it costs a lot to put it back in again !
 
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