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Posted by Clint Dixon [74.206.62.94] on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 14:11:30 :
In Reply to: Winch Cable Length Revisited posted by dave horvath [71.61.218.140] on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 22:46:00 :
Everyone has good arguments in support of their personal opinions as to whether to equip their winches with long or short cables, however, your original question remains unanswered. I am not sure I can offer much concrete help, but here are my observations for you to ponder.
In the vintage Dodge literature I have, where length of cable is listed for the MU2 equipped trucks, it is shown as being 7/16" diameter by 250' long regardless of the diameter of the shear pin (shear pin diameter determines whether the MU2 was rated at 7,500lb or 10,000lb). Most of these listings are found in sales literature beginning in 1946. The last being the sales brochure for the 1957 W300 and W500 model trucks, both of which were optionally equipped with MU2 winches. The next newer sales brochure I have covers only the 1957 Power Giants models W100 and W200. A winch option is not mentioned in this piece of literature. Next in line is the brochure for the 1958 Power Giants models W100, W200, W300, W300M, and W500. In this piece, the winches for all models of trucks are grouped together. This included LU2 for the W100, W200, and W300, and the MU2 for the W300M and W500. Cable lengths are not listed.
As far as the Braden LU2 model winch, I am only familiar with those 1961 and newer. I suspect these to have the same drum size and ratings as those used from 1957 through 1960.
Assuming similarity between years of manufacture, the Braden LU2 drum will not accept 250' of 7/16" cable. However, 150' of 7/16" fits nicely.
Seeing as how the winch information was all lumped together in sales brochures from 1958 and up, I would not at all be surprised if this also happened in the parts manuals when it came to the listing for cable length. 154' (including choker chain) would be the correct length of 7/16" diameter cable for the LU2. It is my personal belief that a separate listing for cable length on the MU2 winch was simply overlooked, or intentionally left out of the manuals, since replacement cables were typically purchased at a local level rather than through the Dodge parts department.
As far as what length of cable to install on your winch, only you know your intended use and your local surroundings. I can only offer food for thought: When you prepare your truck to go four-wheeling, and you know your trip will require only 5 gallons of fuel, do you pump no more than 5 gallons of fuel into your tank....?
Junior