Finally got my PowerPlant winch modified and installed the way I want it. I relocated the air tank from the top of the winch to the rear seat area to allow more airflow to the radiator and increase the tank size. I used a piece of 1/2" think aluminum angle (from Metal Mart) to take the place of the tank since the tank is part of the structure of the winch. I had a machine shop drill it out for me for $30. I installed a 3/8" in-line air check valve ( from Graingers) first in the line and then the pressure switch that was in the original tank. With the check valve in line first the system holds pressure great.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7618/powerplantfront1.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5786/insidetank.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2721/insidetank3.jpg

Front air coupling for blowing out trail dust from inside the cab. Wire coiled under it is the cable I got from John. Did not have the switches installed yet.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7751/frontaircoupling.jpg


After the pressure switch I installed a bypass valve (from McMaster-Carr) which I turn to allow the compressor to free flow when using the PowerPlant as a winch. Other wise when the air tank is full the pressure switch shuts the winching down. This allows me to keep the air tank pressurized and still winch.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2403/bypassvalve.jpg

And last I mounted up my inside winch controls using the awesome cable I got from John L on the forum here. http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6203
and the switches he suggested. I fabbed up a box to mount above the rearview mirror that can hold six switches. All the inside winch controls work just as John said. The other spots went for locker controls and a switch to disable the esp nanny.

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7186/switch2.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6064/switch1a.jpg

And kind of related I moved my rear battery volt meter from the cover under the fridge in the rear to a spot up front where I could monitor it easier. I installed a pressure gauge in the rear where the volt meter was which you can see in the second picture above. This spot actually makes a perfect place to mount a single gauge, I found a old lawn sprinkler head in my garage that was the same inside dia as needed for the gauge. A trip on the belt sander gave it just the right angle and contour to epoxy to that cover and not interfer with anything else.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6443/voltguage.jpg

What do you think? :beer:

Move your air tank to the bottom of the jeep along the frame rail. Totally out of the way.


What is with the goofy refrigerator or whatever that thing is in the back????

Move your air tank to the bottom of the jeep along the frame rail. Totally out of the way.


What is with the goofy refrigerator or whatever that thing is in the back????

Goofy refrigerator :thefinger: Damn, one of favorite add-on's. Always a cold something on a hot trail and no soggy food. Also a place to stash my catch. Its been a permanent fixture in my jeep for a couple years, could not imagine not having it now. I'm really set up more for expedtion type use than anything else. The space for the tank inside was not being used for anything and one less thing to worry about trashing under the jeep

You have been quite ambitious with your build. Looks great, and you have some awesome toys on your JK.

looks great, took alot of balls to start cutting up a 1500 dollar winch.

looks great, took alot of balls to start cutting up a 1500 dollar winch.

Thanks. No the winch is not cut up in any way. Could put it all back to stock in about 10 min. Just pulled a few small bolts out to remove the cover and swapped the air tank for a piece of alum angle. I liked the looks of the powerplant winch but I like more air to cool the hemi better.

Thanks. No the winch is not cut up in any way. Could put it all back to stock in about 10 min. Just pulled a few small bolts out to remove the cover and swapped the air tank for a piece of alum angle. I liked the looks of the powerplant winch but I like more air to cool the hemi better.

oooo. i read it wrong, i thought u said u had to u an angle ginder to get the tank off. still looks great. u got a hemi, that sweet :bounce:

oooo. i read it wrong, i thought u said u had to u an angle ginder to get the tank off. still looks great. u got a hemi, that sweet :bounce:

No the tank is the structure that bridges the two sides of the winch together and there are three long bolts that go through guide holes on the tank to pull the sides together. I had a shop bore three holes through the angle in the same locations as the tank had.