Bet you've never seen this mod- C5 winch
02-04-2014, 01:12 PM
#1
Race Director
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Member Since: Dec 2002
Location: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
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Bet you've never seen this mod- C5 winch
I know I'm gonna get flamed but here goes 
Looking to increase the utility of my C5. In case I ever get stuck or need to help someone pull, or move some downed trees etc, I added a winch to my car 
Naturally, it's got some limitations at 50 feet of line and 3000 lbs (supposed to have 2x the vehicle weight but the winch would then likely deform the frame) but it's better than nothing.
I used the existing trailer hitch, a Curt 1 1/4" extension, a Warn winch/hitch mount and a Badlands 3000 lb winch, everything bolted right up. I don't keep it on my car all the time, only when needed, but I do keep it in the hatch. The extra weight helps to put weight over the drive wheels.
I tapped it off of the existing stereo power feed, so it's got plenty of juice :-) So far so good
Looking to increase the utility of my C5. In case I ever get stuck or need to help someone pull, or move some downed trees etc, I added a winch to my car Naturally, it's got some limitations at 50 feet of line and 3000 lbs (supposed to have 2x the vehicle weight but the winch would then likely deform the frame) but it's better than nothing.I used the existing trailer hitch, a Curt 1 1/4" extension, a Warn winch/hitch mount and a Badlands 3000 lb winch, everything bolted right up. I don't keep it on my car all the time, only when needed, but I do keep it in the hatch. The extra weight helps to put weight over the drive wheels.
I tapped it off of the existing stereo power feed, so it's got plenty of juice :-) So far so good
02-04-2014, 01:18 PM
#2
Drifting
Mod the front and do a hidden wench behind the front plate.
02-04-2014, 02:53 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
I promise you are the first person to think of let alone actually do this. I have no idea why one would need this with a vette or when it would come in handy but I suppose you must have some problem that you foresee in your future and looks like you did a pretty nice job of coming up with a solution
02-04-2014, 02:56 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
02-04-2014, 03:02 PM
#9
Drifting
Have you used that yet to pull anything of significance? I would bet the amp draw of that winch is way above the amount the wires for the stereo can handle. If you don't pop a fuse they could overheat enough to start a fire.
And you better make sure you don't snap a cable or whatever you're trying to pull, so the backlash of the cable doesn't take out your rear window and top.
Where do you go that you're going to get stuck and you need that? Why not put on a simple trailer hitch if you want to pull something/someone?
And you better make sure you don't snap a cable or whatever you're trying to pull, so the backlash of the cable doesn't take out your rear window and top.
Where do you go that you're going to get stuck and you need that? Why not put on a simple trailer hitch if you want to pull something/someone?
Last edited by mrlmd; 02-04-2014 at 03:49 PM.
02-04-2014, 03:30 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
I promise you are the first person to think of let alone actually do this. I have no idea why one would need this with a vette or when it would come in handy but I suppose you must have some problem that you foresee in your future and looks like you did a pretty nice job of coming up with a solution
02-04-2014, 04:17 PM
#15
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Location: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
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Have you used that yet to pull anything of significance? I would bet the amp draw of that winch is way above the amount the wires for the stereo can handle. If you don't pop a fuse they could overheat enough to start a fire.
And you better make sure you don't snap a cable or whatever you're trying to pull, so the backlash of the cable doesn't take out your rear window and top.
Where do you go that you're going to get stuck and you need that? Why not put on a simple trailer hitch if you want to pull something/someone?
And you better make sure you don't snap a cable or whatever you're trying to pull, so the backlash of the cable doesn't take out your rear window and top.
Where do you go that you're going to get stuck and you need that? Why not put on a simple trailer hitch if you want to pull something/someone?
Another situation was when my fuel pump ground wire came off. I needed to pull the car into the garage up a slight incline. After breaking a sweat doing so, a rear mounted winch would have been perfect in this situation.
I take precautions when winching- using a heavy blanket to absorb the whiplash. If the glass or top breaks, that would actually be a blessing- I have insurance and the rear defroster partially doesn't work anyway :
For electronics I have heavy gauge wire the size of a garden hose coming off of my Odyssey made battery. The max amperage this winch can draw is 200 amps. This is actually an ATV winch and the C5's electrical system with heavy battery & valero alternator is tougher than an ATVs. Don't worry my stereo can draw more power than the winch
I just can't blast it at the same time I'm using the winch I do plan on installing heavier cables between the solenoid and the winch though, I just used what it came with for now. Trust me I've thought this through Actually.. I'm not
The winch does not stay on the car permanently. I carry it in the hatch, it simply detaches from the trailer hitch like any other trailer hitch ball would. When I need it, I take it out, hook it in and wire it up. I have weatherproof quick disconnects for the electrical cables.
Last edited by ericdwong; 02-04-2014 at 04:20 PM.
02-04-2014, 05:16 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
Your insurance may not cover damage caused by doing something really stupid. You might want to check your policy.
