This modification needs no explanation. You will get stuck, and there will be a time when no one else can get you out.

I chose the 75 series over the 70 series hydraulic winch. The 70 series is mainly intended for people that may plan on using the winch as a removable winch. You can purchase quick disconnects for the power steering hoses which would allow you to remove the winch from the front and put it in the rear of the Jeep. They also sell REALLY long hoses for this rear winch application. The 75 series has the solenoid and remote connector mounted on the winch motor, freeing space under the hood, and eliminating another set of power steering hoses under the hood.

Procedure:

  1. Remove stock tow hooks and the plastic swaybar cover.
  2. Remove rubber plugs on motor. Ensure the O-rings are in place, and the flow restrictor is in one of the ports on the motor.
  3. Attach the solenoid assembly to the winch motor using the four 1/4" allen head bolts. Use Lock-Tite on the bolts. Ensure that the washers are correctly lined up on the between the motor and the solenoid assembly before tightening.
  4. Attach the male-to-male hydraulic fittings to the solenoid assembly. For TJ's, the port labeled "T" will take the straight fitting and the port labeled "P" will take the elbow fitting. Torque the O-Ring fittings tight.
  5. Attach the new hydraulic hoses to the two fittings on the solenoid assembly. All fittings in the power steering system will require a 16mm and 18mm box-end wrench.
  6. Install winch on winch mount plate.
  7. Mount the winch plate to the bumper (and grille support plate, if necessary. The grille support plate may require drilling.)
  8. Mount the roller fairlead. Attach the supplied bolts through the fairlead, winch plate, and into the two bolt holes on the front of the winch.
  9. Feed the winch cable through the fairlead and attach the hook.
  10. Place a Quick-Grip clamp on the existing power steering return line to reduce/prevent leakage of power steering fluid.
  11. Loosen the power steering pump end of the high pressure power steering hose. Drain the hose and loosen the steering box end. Discard the old high pressure hose.
  12. Attach the vehicle adaptor fittings to the new hydraulic hoses. The longer of the two flared adaptors is attached to the hose that is connected to the "P" port on the solenoid (driver side). The shorter flared adaptor is attached to the steering box supply line. The elbow fitting is attached to the supply line adaptor. Torque the flared fittings only 1/4 turn past finger tight.
  13. Attach the "P" port hose to the pump adaptor. Attach the "T" port hose to the steering box adaptors.
    WARNING:
    Keep all hoses away from any areas where heat may be considered too extreme (such as exhaust manifold). Lines should not be allowed to rub on any abrasive or vibrating surfaces.
  14. Cut return line hose and install hydraulic filter with hose clamps, if purchased.
  15. Remove the clamp on the return line.
  16. Fill the power steering resevoir.
  17. Start the engine, run for three seconds or lessand shut off the engine. Refill the fluid as necessary. Repeat until fluid level remains constant (all air is out of the system).
  18. Turn the wheels from lock to lock position five times to remove any air left in the system.
  19. Connect the solenoid wires to the black and white wires on the hand control unit.
  20. Connect the green wire from the hand control unit to the circuit breaker, and run a line from the circuit breaker to the battery.
  21. Test the operation of the hand control. If it is operating backwards, switch the solenoid wires on the black and white wires from the hand control unit.
  22. Test the winch as necessary in high and low gears. Ensure the mechanical lock and free spooling also work. Always secure the winch by placing it in high gear when not in use.