I just ordered a Gorilla 2500 winch and it's on the way to my house. I have no experience with installing one.

Are there any tips that you guys can give me as far as mounting and wiring this thing??

Thanks, Kev

 

I once bought a winch for the Rancher. It was a Warn, and advertised as being LIGHT. Well, the winch might have been light, but when you add everything up like the mounting plate, etc., the thing was ~40 pounds. I couldn't see putting that much weight out on the front of my quad, where it will do the most harm. I returned it!

When the day comes that I can't pick up my own quad and carry it out of a hole if I get it stuck, that's the day I will give up riding!

 

You can lift 550 pounds out of the bottom of a mud-slick ravine??

 

No mud here in the desert, thank God!

 

I put a Warn 2.5 on my 2005 Rancher 4x4 and I love it. It has come in very handy in several occasions. As far as installation is concerned, they are pretty easy if you have some mechanical ability. I mounted the solenoid in the rear compartment to keep it somewhat out of harm's way. Not sure if there is enough room back there on the 2000's because of the brake light but something to think of. I also ran into a problem when mounting the winch up front because of the cover plate on the backside of the headlight. You may not have that problem with your brand and year, if you do its not a big deal- just trim it. These little guys need some help going through the big stuff and it is nice to not have to struggle physically with a stuck 4x4. Also nice when others get stuck and need help!

 

Thanks Tom,

I'm not too worried about it. I am pretty mechanical, just thought I would ask for tips. Glad you mentioned the part about the where to locate the solenoid.

I appreciate the reponses.

Kev

 

I installed a winch on my Rancher and it was a pretty simple job. I ran the wiring back to the storage compartment amounted the contactor inside. I used black silicone to seal up the holes where the wiring goes through and I have had no problems with water getting in.
I never used the rear compartment anyway.

 

it is not hard to install it just run the wires where they will not get hung on every thing try to run them close to the top of the 4 wheeler and if i had my time back i'd bought the mounting stuff so i could put it on the back and frount u get stuck sometimes and need it on the back to it would be worth it in the long run

 

Will the winch fit up above and behind the front skid plate??

The reason I ask is because the Rancher JUST fits in the bed of my truck. With the front bumper against the front of the truck bed, the tailgait closes tight against the rear tires.

Thanks, Kev

 

Yes, but the roller fairlead will fit in the hole above the bash plate and may or may not protrude a bit, depending on the mount system.