130 winch - PTO or stick with electric?

**Fubar** · 17th January 2018, 11:55 AM

Hey guys,

Right now my 130 is getting a mid-life frame off reco prior to being repowered by a 4BD1T and LT95a. The LT95a I grabbed from Frontline auctions came with a PTO. The addition of the PTO was a nice surprise and something I thought I would remove and sell on.

Lately I have been pondering leaving it installed on the box and hooking it up to an ex-Defence Perentie winch drum….I’ll probably swap in a Perentie bull bar anyway as I like the look and functionality of the bar, currently using a ARB LR unit, so I will be doing some fabrication mods regardless with respect to winching capabilities.

I like the simplicity of the thing….no solenoids to freeze up or windings to corrode and fail when pressed into service after sitting on the bull bar doing nothing for 9 months of the year.
The fact you can’t winch without the motor running is a fear I don’t have, besides batteries without a running motor won’t get you very far when winching with an electric unit.

The most use my winch gets is moving trees/trunks on the farm and track clearing during high country trips (2-3 times a year). I will never pick a track or route because it might present a 4WD Action style ‘winch challenge’…….although this is where a continuous duty engine driven winch really shines. But potential to have it on the front, doing water crossing year after year without needing excessive preventative maintenance and knowing that it will always be ready for work is an attractive idea. One less thing to check and service pre-trip.

Pros – Simple, robust, should require far less maintenance. It’s mechanical!
Cons – Added weight over an electric unit (PTO and shaft), driving and winching at the same time is risky, exhaust piping with a turbo may be a challenge and can’t operate it outside of the vehicle.

This truck will be doing a lap of Australia next year, an extended Northern Hemisphere trip planned 2021 and is used primarily as a family camping/hunting/weekend hauler truck.

Right now I think the sticking with the electric unit is still the more sensible option, but I want to keep an open mind and seek input from those with more PTO experience than me.

Cheers,

Jason

**weeds** · 17th January 2018, 12:34 PM

I’m about to refit my PTO winch to my current TD5.

I ran the PTO on my TDI for 19years.......and used perentie PTO’s extensively and I rate the PTO well and truly about an electric.

Re front bar, you could install a perentie keep in mind you will either need to modify the dumb iron/chassis or modify the bar. I modified a TJM Bar for my tdi and currently use a Rijidij tube bar to take the PTO.

Yes they are simple no electrics to not work when you want them. I never touch med my PTO and it worked every time. I run dynemia rope using a custom hawse fairlead from nugget (as the drums on a PTO are wider plus it looks a lot nicer than rollers)

Winch without motor?? I’m lucky as my PTO has provision to use a crank handle. And you’re right you don’t get much winch time with en electric when the motor is not running.

Yep, I call PTO’s winch all day, Ranga can attest after our day out with Mr MAXTRAX. and as mentioned I’ve never touched mine.

Re: cons, added weight would be minimal esp if you run dyenema.

Why is winching and driving at the same time risky? I have done many times especially with the LT95 PTO when the torque limiter kicks in. In muddy sticky condition by engaging the t-case you take load off the rope.

Exhaust might be tricky but not a show stopper

Re: winching outside the vehicle, this I don’t get as I would never do it. Once the top has load on it I like my foot near the brake pedal in the rare case the winch and or rope fails......saves the car rolling out of control.

We too are planning overlanding the northern hemisphere in 2021.

If it were me I would go the extra mile and set up the WINCH ALL DAY PTO.

Another pro is winching speed both in and out, I find this very useful as compared to an electric.

Hope that helps.

**POD** · 17th January 2018, 12:47 PM

I had an ugly old FJ55 wagon with a PTO winch back in the 80s, the winch was the best thing on it. Being able to pick a gear for the winch to suit the situation, yes you can engage the TC for wheel assist if appropriate, never worry about it overheating, never worry about solenoids carking it, absolutely go with the PTO.
With the body off the chassis you have the perfect opportunity to set up a centre-mount PTO winch with front and rear winching.

**cjc_td5** · 17th January 2018, 06:29 PM

A big advantage of a PTO winch is the ability to winch at different speeds using the gears. Spool in in 5th, loaded in 1st.....

**Ancient Mariner** · 17th January 2018, 07:36 PM

A electric winch can be used to tow start if your electric starter goes on holidays (MT only)

**weeds** · 17th January 2018, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by cjc_td5

A big advantage of a PTO winch is the ability to winch at different speeds using the gears. Spool in in 5th, loaded in 1st.....

Or 4th gear in this instant

**weeds** · 17th January 2018, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by Ancient Mariner

A electric winch can be used to tow start if your electric starter goes on holidays (MT only)

Never thought of that.......although didn’t think an electric would spoil in quick enough.

**Fubar** · 17th January 2018, 08:16 PM

Done it.

Weeds and POD thanks for the input....can't wait to pick this up Monday and start working out how to massage it in.

Many thanks,

Jason

**DeeJay** · 17th January 2018, 08:25 PM

You won't regret it, having had & used both extensively I would go PTO every time.
Also, having had R380's & LT95's, get used to going for the 5th gear with the 95

Will be a hard habit to break, especially with the turbo...

**Fubar** · 17th January 2018, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by DeeJay

You won't regret it, having had & used both extensively I would go PTO every time.
Also, having had R380's & LT95's, get used to going for the 5th gear with the 95

Will be a hard habit to break, especially with the turbo...

Yeah there will be a bit of that going on for sure...I've been known to make a bid for 6th with the R380!

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