not sure where to put this but,

I just picked up a 9000lb badlands winch for less than $100 and was reading the manual and was curious if i'm going to need a high output alt because it says power draw at 9000lb is 312 amps.

also i'll be fabbing my own mount brackets so i can keep my grille guard i have now and can't decide between using 1/4" or 5/16" plate steel for it. FWIW the mounts will be attached to the frame in 3 different locations on each side and not the grille guard mounts for strength.

 

I would play it safe and go with the 5/16, but thats just me. But on the other hand i would want the metal to bend before it did anythig to the truck. But the cable would snap before than i think. I would go with the 5/16 still. Idk about the amp situation.

 

thats what i was thinking too, but the one thing i don't have is a plasma cutter:o so i'll be going through alot of cut off wheels

 

You will need a higher amperage alternator generally speaking. Many times when you are going to use your winch you might be either alone or with one or two buddies. One person is going to need to run the winch with the controller. One person will need to be a spotter to make sure everything is going well. This means that unless you have a high amperage alternator that will put out good power at lower RPM's somebody has to be on the gas revving the engine. Typically you would have somebody behind the wheel anyway but it is nice to have the option of winching even without all the extra help. Some off roaders install a manual throttle control on their rigs for just this purpose. In older trucks you can set up a manual throttle, kind of like the old choke lever, so that in a pinch they can crank up the engine while winching solo. I've always gone with a minimum of 130 amps on my off road rigs. Check and see what you have now.

As for the metal, go thicker and make sure you copy a good design. I am considering fabbing my own hidden winch mount too since Warn doesn't make one for my year rig. If you have the bucks, might want to consider switching to a synthetic rope as well for weight savings.

 

Amsteel blue winch cable is insany awesome. youtube it. its costly, but sooooo worth it. and u dont even have to worry about ur cable rusting through and snapping.

 

A good product too is the combination line stopper and cable weight. It is a rubber piece that keeps your cable hook from trashing your fairlead, keeps tension on the hook without jamming it up against your rollers, and doubles as a line weight during winching. I've used this one before but there are several others available: http://www.promarkoffroad.com/promar...e-stopper.html You can see it on the front of my Blazer that I built:

 

My truck came with 130 amp alt stock, was looking at excessive amperage 300 amp unit but a little pricey. Also the winch cable has rust proof coating on it and is covered by the warranty.

 

Where were you looking at picking up one? I am seeing the Ford 6G, which you probably have now, upgrades to 200 amp for about $320.00 and if you go to 250 - 300 amp ones you are pushing $400.00. Here is an upgrade article for you: http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2.../6GAlternator/

 

Excessive amperage is where I was looking. Found the winch mount channel now I have to find raw plate locally to fab the brackets