Capstan winches? Thinking about using one for my "retro" build

[wesfab]

OK, so I bought that '46 cj2a I was talking about last week. Got it home and it is a real solid base for a build. Perfect frame, and decent Penn. state body. Missing the tailgate and spare tire carrier. Motor/tranny/t-case were sitting next to the thing outside and open when I went to pick up the heep, so I left them as scrap. The end goal for this jeep is to have it just for something to putz around on the trail with, no extreme stuff.

A dude comes into my shop Thursday telling me about a CJ-6 he may be getting. Says it has a strong F-head, but body has "some fiberglass" The 6 is sporting a Capstan winch which I guess is driven directly off the crank.

I had a cj-6 before, it made for an awesome parts vehicle. So I may get it just because of that.

Anyone have experience with capstan winches?

[CRO]

I always thought capstan winched were cool... I wonder if they work with the new braided winch rope?.... basically you would have unlimited rope length... except that you have to be outside the vehicle to use it

[wesfab]

How do they actuate being direct drive off the crank? A PTO would use a clutch to stop the gears, but how would an engine? Do you have to shut it off, pull the lever, start the engine?

New synthetic line should work fine

[trkklr77]

i dont know how you would drive one dirrectly off the crank. you would only be able to pull left or right no forward.



since you dont know how it work and we cant see it maybe you should post some pics....

[sammyg]

Capstan's aren't cheap, hope you get it for a good deal!!

[wesfab]

Originally Posted by trkklr77

i dont know how you would drive one dirrectly off the crank. you would only be able to pull left or right no forward.



since you dont know how it work and we cant see it maybe you should post some pics....

I don't have any pictures of this thing, nor have I even seen it yet. I should have elaborated more when I said "directly off the crank" There is actually a PTO shaft bolted to the crank on one end, then into the winch at the other. The winch drum sit vertical between the frame horns. There is a lever on the winch to activate it, I'm just not sure how that would work. There has to be a clutch somewhere

[wesfab]

Originally Posted by sammyg

Capstan's aren't cheap, hope you get it for a good deal!!

trading some Ford Model A parts for the jeep, IF everything works out. I really only want the thing for the "well thats different..." factor

[trkklr77]

no clutch just a few big teeth that cob together via the handle.

[Leafsprung]

Have a capstan on my land rover. Works great. Wrap the rope around the bollard and put some tension on it and friction does the rest. Easy to use, dirt simple and allows you to use the t-case for an overdrive if you wanted. The jeep version is a little cheesier than the rover version (just like the chassis) but you will find it surprisingly useful.

[wesfab]

Leafsprung, Where did you get those tires? Are they CoOp Spur Grips?

[Leafsprung]

specialty tire of america offers some good tread patterns in 6.00,6.50,7.00, and 7.50x16 for that retro look.

-Ike

[usmcdoc14]

Originally Posted by wesfab

How do they actuate being direct drive off the crank? A PTO would use a clutch to stop the gears, but how would an engine? Do you have to shut it off, pull the lever, start the engine?

New synthetic line should work fine

YOU are the clutch

Wrap around a few times loose, when you pull the free end friction will grab the drum and the line comes in. You keep tension andcontrol of your loose line, harder you pull the more it grabs and faster the winch pulls, less and it slips more.

[wesfab]

The guy flaked on the deal, so I'm not getting the cj6 with winch. That is unless I pay him $1800 for a rusted out, fiberglass filled carcass....

[Leafsprung]

YOU are the clutch

not entirely true. There is a dog clutch but you do control the line speed. . .