1954 M37 rebuild thread

[rickf]

You may want to reweld those posts that the winch is going to be mounted on and use a LOT more heat! If the winch pulls to the side they will probably come right off.

[06boblee]

My welding skills are not great. But they are just standoffs- the winch will be bolted with hi strength bolts. I am toying with some gussets on the outer sides of the standoffs. My little welder works well with 1/4" plate but I couldn't do well with this stuff. The winch is a 12000 lb Warn winch from a late model Power Wagon- so the Dodge markings.

[rickf]

If you are using a MIG then you are going to need 160-180 amp with .035 wire or you could get by with 160 amp if you went with flux core wire and DC - or "straight polarity". The other option is to use 100% Co2 in your MIG for more penetration. Just some ideas, I would hate to see those standoffs break off and then break the aluminum housing on the winch. The gussets are a good idea but you will still need more welding heat.

[06boblee]

If you are using a MIG then you are going to need 160-180 amp with .035 wire or you could get by with 160 amp if you went with flux core wire and DC - or "straight polarity". The other option is to use 100% Co2 in your MIG for more penetration. Just some ideas, I would hate to see those standoffs break off and then break the aluminum housing on the winch. The gussets are a good idea but you will still need more welding heat.

Thanks for the advice- my welder is 135 amps, so I'm taking it to a professional!

[rickf]

Good choice, That is too nice of a winch to chance it.

[TFadda]

Nice winch as stated before. Make sure you add a fairlead to the bumper, keep the cable from causing problems. This winch has the plug in remote, I suggest you add a momentary switch in the dash to operate it from in the cab, but put a separate power switch to the winch so if the winch switch is bumped by accident it does not function until the power is turned on. They work well when you are doing this without outside help.

[06boblee]

Nice winch as stated before. Make sure you add a fairlead to the bumper, keep the cable from causing problems. This winch has the plug in remote, I suggest you add a momentary switch in the dash to operate it from in the cab, but put a separate power switch to the winch so if the winch switch is bumped by accident it does not function until the power is turned on. They work well when you are doing this without outside help.

I have the fairlead apart- painting the frame OD! I owned the original Dodge that the winch came from (when I traded it in I asked if I could keep the winch, the salesman said "sure"). I have had winches on all of my trucks.

[rickf]

You must have really traded UP! That winch adds a lot of value to a used truck.

[06boblee]

You may want to reweld those posts that the winch is going to be mounted on and use a LOT more heat! If the winch pulls to the side they will probably come right off.

Back from the welder- now to repaint.

[just me]

That looks more workmanlike!

[rickf]

NOW were talkin'!

[06boblee]

Got it in! Better pics tomorrow.

[06boblee]

A couple of daytime pics.

[R1830]

That looks really sharp. Nice work.

[W_A_Watson_II]

Very well done.