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How to install a winch on your Can-Am SSV?

By Can-Am Off-Road

October 2022

Off-roading can get muddy. It happens to most riders: your vehicle will get stuck in the mud, blocked by an obstacle, or you need to tow another rider out of a sticky situation. In all cases, a winch is your ticket to freedom.

To lift or haul a vehicle out of a bad spot, the winch is the perfect tool for every rider to keep in their back pocket. This piece article will walk you through the steps to install one on your Can-Am SSV and be prepared for anything!

If you do not feel like you have the proper knowledge and skills to install it, you can always contact your authorized BRP dealer to do the job. (Some fees may apply.)

The following instructions are simplified to represent as many vehicles as possible. Always refer to the instruction sheet specific to your model for more in-depth instructions. Consult the operator guide for instructions on how to operate it.

GETTING STARTED

Step 1: Before you do anything else, disconnect your vehicle’s battery starting with the black wire; this is an essential move whenever you’re doing electrical work on your Can-Am vehicle.

Step 2: Pre-assemble a few key parts to kick off the process. Start with the solenoid, circuit breakers and the solenoid copper bars.

Prep your workstation

Step 3: Open and remove your vehicle’s front service cover for easy access and remove the cover of the junction block. Remove the plastic rivets and screws to take off the front fenders.

Start the installation

This part of the process will begin with the winch itself.

Step 4: Install the electric harness on your ride. Then insert the winch on the left side of the vehicle, making sure that the clutch control button enters first.

Step 5: Connect the wires by pairing the blue taped one to the blue stud, and the yellow one to the yellow stud.

Step 6: Apply some grease to the connections to seal things properly, disengage the winch clutch and pull on the cable until about 30 cm (12 in.) is sticking out.

Step 7: Secure the winch to the front bumper plate, tighten the screws and insert the cable through the front bumper plate using the existing hole and guide rollers.

Step 8: Install the winch cable guide by latching it to the vehicle, tightening the nuts and installing the hook assembly in the cable loop.

Wire the solenoid

Step 9: Move the pre-installed electric harness from the winch to the solenoid, securing it with locking ties along the frame and main harness. Then send the winch cable through the radiator deflector, route the electric harness upward and secure it with the two pre-installed locking ties.

Step 10: Set the harness in place with a hexagonal flanged screw, then connect the winch wires to the solenoid with two elastic stop nuts. Attach the blue taped wire to the solenoid’s blue stud, then do the same with the yellow components.

Step 11: Secure the pre-assembled solenoid to the plastic support plate, then tighten the wiring connection nuts and connect the three-angled terminals to the solenoid.

Step 12: Apply some grease to the connections and install your finished product under the hood.

Install the remote connector

Step 13: Locate the remote connector’s installation position, place the provided template on the multiuse support and drill the required holes. Secure the connector in place.

Step 14: For your solenoid connectors, route the switch’s electric harness to the solenoid and secure it with locking ties. Connect all three connectors behind the assembled solenoid and apply more grease. - As always, be sure to match the harness’s wire colours with the vehicle’s bullet connectors.

Install the switch

Step 15: Connect the electric harness to the bullet connectors and secure it with locking ties.

Step 16: On the upper console, identify where you want to install the switch, then either remove the plastic cover or cut the pre-marked opening. Locate the harness, pass it through the hole and secure it with locking ties.

Step 17: Then connect the winch switch to the harness’s connector and snap it into the upper console.

Finishing up

Step 18: Take the positive battery cable and connect it to the positive battery post, then do the same with the negative cable. Cover all the wire terminals with their protective caps. Next, install the removed parts and make sure to apply proper torque values to the attaching hardware. After that, you’ll have a fully functional winch.

There are quite a few steps involved in this process, but the result will be well worth the effort. Installing a winch on your Can-Am SSV means you’ll always ride with the peace of mind that you can get yourself out of tough situations!