Length: 10:12
November 11, 2021
Have you been wanting to install a winch on your Can-Am Defender, but don’t have the time? SuperATV has the solution with our quick install winch mount. Today we’re going to show you how to install one. Let’s get to it!
[00:39] Let’s start by removing all of the contents from your SuperATV packaging. First, grab your fairlead and you’ll want to install it in the factory location. Now you’re going to grab two M8 x 25 mm allen headed bolts, two flat washers, two lock washers, and two M8 x 25 mm nuts. Align your fairlead to the holes in the machine and insert your allen headed bolt, followed by the flat washer, lock washer, and then your nut.
[01:14] For this next step, you will want to grab four of your M8 x 25 mm hex head bolts, four lock washers, and four flat washers. You will need to slide your winch onto the front of the machine. Then, you will kick your winch into free spool (be sure to pull some rope out). Whenever you start to insert your winch, you can feed your rope right through your fairlead. You will want to line up your holes as you install your M8 x 25 mm hex head hardware. Make sure you place the flat washer against the frame of the machine and then the lock washer up against the head of the bolt. Once you have all of your small hardware in place, you will want to go through with a ratchet and make sure everything is fully tightened.
[02:00] Now you are going to take your harness and plug it into the fairlead with the connector coming off of the solenoid. You will see the solenoid and the connector both have grooves—you will want to make sure that you align the groove of the solenoid to the groove of the connector. Let’s open the hood of your machine by pulling the hood towards you and straight up. Here you will see a panel. This panel has two tabs: pull one tab up, and push the other tab back. Go ahead and remove this panel for the time being. You’re going to route your wires from your winch to the hot and the ground.
[02:42] Next, you’re going to remove the center section out of your grille. Then, you’re going to route your wiring all the way up through this hole. Grab two of your M8 nyloc nuts out of your hardware kit. You’re going place the nylocs on both of the studs—here and here. Finish this step by fully tightening both connections.
In this next step, you are going to push the harness up through this shroud (on the passenger side of the machine). As you feed the wiring up through the shroud, you will notice that there are multiples holes. You can zip tie the harness using these holes so the harness is not in the way. You’re going to want to wait until you’re completely done with your install before you do that.
Then, you’re going to take the second harness out of your kit and you’re going to route it the same way you routed the previous harness. You will find a set of connectors under the dash of your machine. These connectors are factory—go ahead and cut the zip tie. When you find these connectors, you will notice a white wire with a red tracer, a white wire with a black tracer, and a white wire with a green tracer. You’re going to connect green to green, black to black, and red to red. You will want to make sure the bullet connectors are snapped in tight.
[04:55] Now you are inside the machine—go ahead and take out the keys. You’re going to remove this center section where the rocker switch is. Sometimes you can get your hands behind the panel and pop it off. On the other hand, if you can’t pop it off—just take a screwdriver and place it behind the panel, and wiggle it around until the tabs give. You will find a set of wires which consist of a white wire with a black stripe, a white wire with a green stripe, and a white wire with a red stripe. These are the same wires that you connected under the hood of the machine. Before you can make a connection, you will want to take out one of the inserts in the rocker switch panel.
On some of the older model machines, you’ll have to take a razor knife and cut a place to add your rocker switch. This is a brand new machine—factory settings allow you to add the rocker switch much easier by providing you with an already open space.
[05:55] This is your rocker switch and your rocker switch harness. You’re going to feed all of your connections through the hole of the rocker switch panel. You will want to make sure that your switch is aligned correctly. The winch switch should say: “winch in” on the top and “winch out” on the bottom. You’re going to locate and connect the following wires directly to the rocker switch harness—black wire to the white wire with the black stripe, and the green wire to the white wire with the green stripe.
The next thing you’re going to do is make your connections to the factory keyed-on power source. On the right side, you will have a stud that is covered by red tape (common if your machine had never been wired into). On the left side, there is an open stud—this will be your ground. Remove the tape on the keyed-on power source and connect your red wire to the power source.
Now that your red wire is on, you are going to take the M8 x 25 mm nylock nuts and place them underneath the dash on both of the naked studs that you see (Can-Am does not come with studs). You are going to connect your white wire to the left stud as your right stud is already connected to the red wire. Tighten your connections. Now that all of your wires are all connected, turn your key to the “on” position and your winch will work.
[07:55] To complete this process, you’re going to install the stop block and tidy up your wiring. As you look at the stop block, you will see there is a recessed side and a non-recessed side. The recessed side is going to go towards the actual hook. Find the long allen headed fasteners that came in your kit. Take your long allen headed fasteners and slide them through both portions of the stop block—followed by the washer and nut. The hardware for this stop block comes in a separate bag in your kit. Continue securing the stop block by placing your flat washers and your nuts on the allen headed fasteners—you will use all four washers and nuts.
Now that your stop block is on, you are going to finish your hook. You removed the pin from your hook earlier, so now you can reinstall it. Secure the pin by placing the cotter pin through the hole. You’ll want to bend the pin away from itself, so it stays in place. The last thing you’ll do is take your pull strap and slide it onto the hook.
All that’s left to do at this point is go through and tidy up the wiring and make sure all of your connections are fully tightened.
[09:40]Now you can grate your wireless remote and turn it on. To turn the remote on, you will need to hold down both of the buttons together until the light illuminates red—then let go.
Alright guys, that’s all there is to install SuperATV’s Can-Am Defender Ready-Fit Winch mount. Be sure to check the description below for a link to pick yours up today. While you’re there, drop a like, comment, and subscribe. Thanks for watching and we’ll catch you on the next one.
