Mokes and Electric Winchs

[grantourer]

Hi Guys and Girls. has anyone fitted a small winch to their Moke? and if so how did you do it. I have come across some small winches on EBay, and got to thinking how to mount one. Any help appreciated

[spider]

I've looked at it a number of times over the years, with some different ideas for different styles of winches.

The 'best' Moke set up I could think of in terms of an electric which was the style that is intended for mounting over a tow ball, similar to these;-

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... mendations

with the ideas that;-

It wouldn't be permanently fitted, so 'nothing to see, move along'
Mounts could be made to fit it to the front and rear - very important I've found
They are cheap enough
They are small enough
They are light enough - and a Snatch Block could easily be used to double it's capacity
They can be 'swivel' mounted, so pulling to the side is also possible

Another type of Winch to consider is the ATV Winches if a lot of winching is anticipated, though these will need a permanent mounting, for which I have provision for but I haven't taken that step - yet

One like this;-

http://www.superwinch.com/p/terra-35-sr ... -12v?pp=12

(We did in fact come very close to fitting these up on a few of our vehicles for our next trip - but as it turns out, they'd be dead weight)

If a lot of winching is anticipated, then you'd also need to fit something like one of these Optima style batteries;-

http://www.marks4wd.com/optima-batteries.html

As they are dual rated for starting and deep cycle.

A 70 Amp Alternator would also be a wise addition.

However, on all trips I've always done, there's always been enough hands to make a winch superfluous, Mokes (even when loaded up) are light enough to get pushed out of trouble and so much quicker than any winch, more fum and helps build comradery among fellow Mokers. I do also have a light Turfir style winch that I can while it does need good old fashioned sweat to operate it, it's far more compact and far more universal than an electric winch, though in all the years I've had it, we have only used it once.

[grantourer]

Hi Spider. Thanks for the reply and concise comments. Definitely food for thought. I will let you know what I decide to do.

[Weske]

Nice topic, I follow these carefully, because i want also a winch on the Moke later this year.

[spider]

Just one other thing I did think of when looking at winches. It can sometimes be helpful if they are reversible, then you can also use it to 'lower' yourself in to trouble as well as using it it to pull yourself out again!

This can be handy on some tracks where it maybe be exceptionally rough and / or slippery, eg some creek crossing 'ramps' can be like that.

If you do go for a reversible one, be sure it can also free spool too or your 2 minute creek crossing could turn in to an all day affair!

I do have to ask though, what are you guys thinking of doing for which you think you may need a winch for?

Maybe have a look at some of these pics;-

http://mokespider.wix.com/spiders-moke- ... pt-1/c1zdx

None the less, if there's only one or two of you guys 'out there' a winch is not bad insurance.

Here's one of the tirfor's that I have

[grantourer]

Hi Spider. the thought came about whilst looking on Ebay for a winch for a radio Model of a Merc Unimog. Then I saw this, as they say.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121492580551? ... EBIDX%3AIT

As I had a capstan winch on my 1949 land Rover, the thought occurred, could I put one on a Moke? having had a look at the front, yesterday ( Saturday) it would have to mount at one side, as the sub frame front member does not look strong enough or fabricate a plate which picks up some where on the front sub frame, front mounting points. Also looking through Wesley's photo's of the IMM 2015 in Lithuania there appears to be Moke with a winch, this is mounted to one side.

With regards to your question, what are we thinking about. my answer would be, Why not!

[Weske]

i don't have a detail photo, but maybe this

[grantourer]

Hi Wesley. That was the one, looks like it is mounted on the corner of the front sub frame. Would be nice to know who owns it and how they made the mounting plate.

[spider]

Hi Spider. the thought came about whilst looking on Ebay for a winch for a radio Model of a Merc Unimog. Then I saw this, as they say.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121492580551? ... EBIDX%3AIT

As I had a capstan winch on my 1949 land Rover, the thought occurred, could I put one on a Moke? having had a look at the front, yesterday ( Saturday) it would have to mount at one side, as the sub frame front member does not look strong enough or fabricate a plate which picks up some where on the front sub frame, front mounting points. Also looking through Wesley's photo's of the IMM 2015 in Lithuania there appears to be Moke with a winch, this is mounted to one side.

With regards to your question, what are we thinking about. my answer would be, Why not!

I recon Capstans are the bee's knee's, quite universal.

Many moons ago, I did start making (and nearly finished!) a PTO spool type winch, as there was a trip coming up that would have involved a LOT of winching over a few weeks. The trip ended up being cancelled, hence why I never finished it. It had a few advantages being effectively 'tier-less', fast (very fast!) and if I recall about 2-1/2 tonne pulling capacity.

Just in reference to the winch you're thinking about here, I have to say, I feel it a bit light on in terms of pulling power. The quoted figure is on the first layer, as it spools up, it will loose quite a bit of power. Maybe a snatch block would be a worthwhile accessory, though while doubling capacity, it does halve the speed.

As a guide, most manufacturers recommend a winch rating that is 1.5 times the vehicle weight - also taking in to account all the gear you may have in it. From my own experience, it's not at all hard to be around the 1000 kg mark in a Moke. I'm frequently around the 1.2 tonne mark when I go away and trust me, there's nothing there we don't need (yes, just a tad over-loaded). So, really you should consider a winch in the 1500 to 2000 kg range.

Looking at the ATV Range of winches, they are in the 1100 to 2000 kg range, with a big variety in the 1500 kg area.

That said though, when in a jam, any winch is better than no winch!

Many thanks Weslake for posting up that pic. Looking at the Fairlead Rollers (which is about all we can see), I have to say, it does appear to be a very light winch indeed.

Yes, why not indeed!! Love the way you think

[TimoS]

Hi ! Photo is taken from my Moke (Hungary ?). Wich is small, just 1100 kg. Was small, cheap and near to me. Couple of times try it , it works, but not every day use. Its bolted to front and no damages until now. MOT moustly have fun whit winchs (we have only 6 Mokes in Finland ).

[spider]

Hi TimO - welcome to the Forum.

Thanks for your experience.

have you got other photos you can post up of it?

[Weske]

Hi ! Photo is taken from my Moke (Hungary ?). Wich is small, just 1100 kg. Was small, cheap and near to me. Couple of times try it , it works, but not every day use. Its bolted to front and no damages until now. MOT moustly have fun whit winchs (we have only 6 Mokes in Finland ).

Hi,

welcome, yes i have take this photo in Hungary
Thanks to help us with this discussion

Regards
Wesley

[grantourer]

Hi TimoS. yes welcome to the forum. Do you have a design for the plate? and would you let us copy it? I have now found this winch on EBay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301401836900? ... EBIDX%3AIT

has a 2000Llb or 907Kg pull and is reversible. price is pretty good as well. What do you reckon Wesley? get 2 and see you at Cooper day to drop it off?

[Wally2]

Hi Graham,
Hope you've got a good big battery! 90Amps on full load.
Chris

[grantourer]

Hi Graham,
Hope you've got a good big battery! 90Amps on full load.
Chris

Hi Chris, that and an alternator would be part of the upgrade.