Sar h3

[SuperBuickGuy]

I guess I hadn't started a thread on this one
As many know, I got this H3 to replace the POS GTO which replaced a prior H3.... I like my H3s

I've done basically nothing to it other than wheel it a couple times.... but for SAR, I need a winch
Today I basically started scoping out what I needed to do

the winch


the H3


1st thought was put the winch where the plastic air intake is located..... and it may end up there, but there are issues with blocking airflow.... so I bit more searching

[Caveman Tony]

A buddy of mine in Tucson built a mount plate with dual receiver (male side) hitches. He put custom dual receiver hitches on the front and back of the truck and carried his winch in the cargo area. He could then opt for a front or rear mount rescue whenever he chose. Better approach & departure angles without a big honkin' hunk of winch & cable hanging out in the wind too...

[JOES66FURY]

Ive seen that moer than a few times...might be a better option. Then you have the choice to head or tail in

[SuperBuickGuy]

A buddy of mine in Tucson built a mount plate with dual receiver (male side) hitches. He put custom dual receiver hitches on the front and back of the truck and carried his winch in the cargo area. He could then opt for a front or rear mount rescue whenever he chose. Better approach & departure angles without a big honkin' hunk of winch & cable hanging out in the wind too...

valid considerations, except in my case:
1) having it permanently attached means it's not banging around in the back of the car - or easily stolen
2) I have bent that type of set up on an off-camber pull because its leverage point is so far in front of the pivot point (the axle).
3) the winch (at least at current plans) will be behind the grill and out of attack/departure angle issues.
4) forward is the most used position because the folks behind you can always pull you backwards; most times at least one rig needs to get to the top to pull the others up. Also, behind means longer cables - which means greater resistance over the distance.
5) and while this is NOT a recommended method, desperation has caused a cable to be run under a vehicle to pull it backward - however most times you can do a 3 point turn by pull the rig around with the winch.
Still, Rescue rig may (presuming it stays in the fleet) get a mobile winch for the back to pull cars up. Back in the day, winches were really expensive, nowadays, they're pretty inexpensive so you can have two

[Russell]

Doing a search for H3 winch on Google Images shows most are mounted in one of two locations. In front of lower grill, or between the front tow hooks, Get one of those old licence plate gas doors and mount the winch behind it, No one will know its there (Can not steal what they can not see!)

[SuperBuickGuy]

Doing a search for H3 winch on Google Images shows most are mounted in one of two locations. In front of lower grill, or between the front tow hooks, Get one of those old licence plate gas doors and mount the winch behind it, No one will know its there (Can not steal what they can not see!)

That's probably where it will land.... only issue with that spot, how to you get to the winch, freewheel control?

[Russell]

hand hole?

[SuperBuickGuy]

There's an air diverter behind the intakes that direct the air to the radiator - that blocks any above access.... I'm thinking it'd be clever to use Dzus fasteners to fasten the center bit onto the truck. At this point, that's a solid piece all the way across, but cut it and put some aluminum bits behind it and it becomes removable - it would leave the diverter in place, and would allow reaching below it to access the winch.... thoughts?

[Deaf Bob]

I welded pieces to a cherry picker to use it off the back of the pickup... Bent the male end! Just picked up an engine/tranny... Felt strange.. Looked and it was bent to the ground..

So I see where you do not want to reciever mount...

[SuperBuickGuy]

one winch has up to 36,000 lbs of pulling power, the other 30,000 lbs (double snatch block pull)...

[SuperBuickGuy]

well, tonight's the night to wench... err winch
"stock" with a push bar I put on


scouting locations


hmm.... right behind that license plate looks good


remove air duct


of course you have to take the entire bumper off to remove the air duct


another JC Whitney "fits this application"


time to start planning some more


this looks promising


note, there's always a note that H3 Alphas need to use the more pedestrian other H3 brush guard.... now I know why

even with the cut, it's still too far forward


cut the lower part of the tabs that hold the tow hooks


benefit of doing it there is that's a great point of reference for the front

where I finished tonight


Tomorrow I'll weld the brackets to the plate, then drill holes in the frame to mount the wench.. er winch.... the snatch is in the back, two of them

[SuperBuickGuy]

talking to myself again...

so it's finally where it needs to be


DAMMIT


a bit more progress


dang, if I hadn't told about the drilling the hole in the condensor, it'd look like I knew I was doing


eventually, I'll hinge the license plate... but for now, I just moved it up

[Russell]

I still say you work quick!

[Deaf Bob]

Looking good... Holes and all.. Did you bump the disconnected ground wire to the condenser?

[SuperBuickGuy]

Looking good... Holes and all.. Did you bump the disconnected ground wire to the condenser?

oh no, I own this one - I drilled it. Just a moment or two before I had this really strong impression I should put a piece of metal plate between where I was drilling and the condensor.... d'oh - oh well, go big or go home huh?