We got my father a Warn Winch 2000# for his 4-wheeler for a Christmas gift and I was wondering is there any tricks you guys have for installing one.

I went to get this winch the other day and I called several places to get prices on them. Everyone that I talked to was selling them for around $300 (just for the winch) and the mounting plate for $40 - $50. I called this one local shop (about 30miles away) and they said they had them for $200 I asked the woman twice just to make sure the price was right and she said yes I have it setting right here. I told her I would be there in about an hour to get it. She told me she would set it back for me. Well I figured there had to be some kind of a catch to this deal so I was preparing myself for the worst. You know like it was a 1000# winch or it was only the winch with no cable something had to be wrong with it. Well I get there and they put the box on the counter (it said Polaris Warn Winch and mounting bracket included) and the guy that was working beside the woman who handed me the box ask what model 4-wheeler I had. I told him a Rubicon and he said that I would need this winch and this mounting plate. I then said to him that the price is different isn't it. I knew there was a catch. He said yes the winch alone is $367. I then asked him if the price was $200 for the Warn winch with the Polaris sticker on it he said yes. I then asked him if it was the same winch? He then told me they were the exact same winches. I then told him in a pretty stern voice (because I was not happy at this point) that I would take the Polaris winch and then I would buy the mounting plate for the Rubicon. He said oh sure no problem. There were other people standing at the counter so he didn’t say no because the other people had heard the conversation. So I got the winch and the mounting plate for $252. It also came with a roller fairing which would have been another $30-$40. I just thought I would share this with you guys.

 

no tips for the install guys?

 

I installed one on my Foreman, which is similar and had little problems. The mounting plate was tight and even pushed some of the wiring harness when pulled down tight to the frame tube. It also was very tight against the headlight assembly on the right side. I managed to get the assembly, which is hinged, closed and snapped and so far has not snapped back open. I also followed the instructions and mounted the solinoid in the trunk.The winch works great, just follow the mannual and you should have few problems, the mounting plate is what is unique to each model, not the winch. Also, test the circuits for power that comes on with the key, this is the one you want to tap into. Good luck!

 

The best tips that I can give are to install the solenoid under the black cover on the left side by the gas tank of the machine(shifter side}when you remove the cover there is a nice flat spot just in front of the shifter that it bolts to really nice.Make sure you use a couple of big washers when you bolt it to the plastic.
And for power to turn on the solinoid I use the wires at the back of the machine on the right side near the battery they are taped up with blue tape,so it will turn on when you turn on your lights.
I cannot help with the winch bracket install because there is alot of different types(I like the one from Warn)and I am not sure of the one you have.

I hope I have helped.

 

I have the Warn 2 piece mounting kit.