Capstain Winch

The Jeep came with the cool winch outlined in these photo's. This winch is the same one that is outlined in the Service manual. As I learn more about this item I will post the information on this page. Right now I'm only sure that's it's the same one in the Willys manual. According to some quick research this winch was made by FMC, and is the same one that was available on the WWII models.

The photo's suggest that I'm missing some parts! The winch appears to be crankshaft driven, but I'm missing the whole driveshaft and whatever mechanisim engaged/disengaged it. Also it's clear that it's mounted on a homemade plate. If anyone has info on this please email me about it.

• View closeup of winch on vehicle
• View whole assembly removed from Jeep
• View capstain closeup
• View back side of winch assembly
• Here's a diagram from the parts list book
• And here's the parts list itself for the winch kit
• View 1962 Montgomery Ward Catalog listing for the capstain winch they sold. Courtesy of Dr. Vern.

A description of the drive mechanisim from Tim in Wisconsin...

Eric, The winch is driven by a driveshaft of course with 2 universal joints. There is a three legged bracket that fastens onto the front of the engine timing cover with a hole in the center and the hole has a bronze bushing and grease fitting, that's where the end of the drive shaft is supported. The crankshaft pulley has a plate with 6 holes spot welded into the center. So now the driveshaft runs in the bracket and the end of the driveshaft beyond where it runs is splined and on the splines is a dog clutch with three drive lugs that index with the holes in the crank pulley when the dog is shifted to the engagement position. Many times these pieces are missing. There is a guy out in California from what I heard that reproduces these parts but they are very costly. I have all parts to mine and may sometime investigate the reproduction of them myself. I don't have any photos yet of the winch but plan on it after I get everything cleaned and painted. Hope this is helpful. Tim

Winch Links

These are a few links I have courtesy of fellow Willytecher, Dr. Vern.

Fred Coldwell has one of the same winches, as well as some other rare Jeep accesories.
Ramsey Winch shown on page 10 and 11 here.
Willys service manual pages showing the Winch. Courtesy of the CJ2A page.