2012 Suzuki King Quad - Skid plates, winch, rear hitch and front bumper

[Grillmastertoo]

Good morning....

Just curious if anyone can make recommendations on which brand or type to install on my 2012 KQ?

Also, are these projects simple enough to be done by the average Joe or does a dealer need to get involved?

I can handle nuts and bolt stuff, but not certain of electrical work needed to tie a winch into the system.

Thanks

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[swampcat07]

I would go with warn for skid plates and the winch.

As far as the winch choose a XT25 or something similar any smaller would be risking it. The winch is easy to wire and I am sure you can figure it out. The only tricky part is finding the ignition wire.

For the skids get the belly skid and the A arm guards. If budget is an issue skip the skids for now but definitely get the winch.

[Grillmastertoo]

I have heard good things about ricochet plates and know they match up really well with this bike.....the warn plates didn't seem to offer a complete set for the 750 KQ....

As far as winch, I have also heard good things about promark products which are less money....

Has anyone had experience with these?

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[oxidized_black]

warn make the best winches IMO .... i have never been let down when i needed it, nor any of the people i ride with. i would spend the extra money to have the security of knowing it will peform the best

[marioweldinginc]

Warn and Superwinch are common in 4x4 trail trucks and towing - recovery. Id put my money on tbose before a lesser known brand. Whats a 3 year warranty going to do 120 miles in the woods?? If ya have to ask if anyone heard about it tbere is a reason. Stick with a quality product and not worry about price. Dont put a dinky winch on a KQ.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

[Grillmastertoo]

does anyone know if superwinch made by promark? i see it on their website and am curious..

Superwinch Terra 35 SR ATV Winch with Synthetic Rope. Ships Free.

thanks

[marioweldinginc]

Promark was formerly gorilla winches not sure if its an off shoot of superwinch though

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

[Grillmastertoo]

Well...pulled trigger on a superwinch...

I will attempt to install myself...

I did buy the mounting kit/bracket so hopefully I can do it...

My only concern is the wiring part...

On a side note, ordered a set of ricochet plates so hopefully they will be installed easily too...

Next is a front bumper/brush guard---any suggestions?

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[swampcat07]

Well...pulled trigger on a superwinch...

I will attempt to install myself...

Sent from my DROID X2 usingTapatalk

I installed a ton of winches, feel free to ask questions on here. The power wires are easy the one you have to be careful of is the 12V ignition tap. Also keep the contactor someplace it will be out of the elements if you can.

[marioweldinginc]

Well...pulled trigger on a superwinch...

I will attempt to install myself...

I did buy the mounting kit/bracket so hopefully I can do it...

My only concern is the wiring part...

On a side note, ordered a set of ricochet plates so hopefully they will be installed easily too...

Next is a front bumper/brush guard---any suggestions?

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

just take it nice and easy. any questions just ask anyone here.

[Grillmastertoo]

well, everything arrived and istarted to instal today....

not so fast though...i ordred the wrong moutning plate...ordered one for a eiger not a king quad...so i ahve ordered the correct one and will ahve to wait for it to arrive...

i did go ahead and mount he thumb rocker switch and laid out the wiring...

my question is this :

it says to hook the red wires into a "key one" wire---so that when the ingnition is on, it will work, but when off, it will not...

Where should i make this connection? there are alot of connection boxes and red wires and i need to make sure i get teh right one...

Thanks for any advice...

[oxidized_black]

if you have a test light it will make it easier and faster... i'd just follow the wire where you want it spliced after it tests good and you should have no problems...

[marioweldinginc]

Agree with Oxy. Make the splice at a convenient place. As long as it lights up with the key on and off with key off. Make sure you use waterproof butt connectors (the ones you heat and melt and glue oozes out after you crimp). Or at the very least heat shrink the splice.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

[Grillmastertoo]

Does a test light probe have do make connection to the actual copperwire or can it be detected thru the insulation?

Guess I'm nor sure what a test light actually is...

[oxidized_black]

got to poke it in... but you can always tape or silicone if you want after...

[Grillmastertoo]

So with the test light, connect the clamp to the negative post of the battery and then use the pointed end to poke into a wire I think is correct.

if it lights up with key in on position but not the off connection, use it?

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[oxidized_black]

yes, if you find a wire that lights your tester with the key ON, turn the key OFF and see if the test light goes out too. if this all happens, splice into that feed.

[marioweldinginc]

If you use electrical tape on any of your splices, wrap a ziptie around the tape so it wont unravel if it gets wet

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

[Grillmastertoo]

Well, I found a white female connection box that doesn't have the male portion hooked to it.

It did have a removable rubber cap over it.

It has about 5 wires running to it.

One is the infamous orange and white wire that everyone refers to to use as the key on hot wire.

Does anyone know what this connection port is used for? It almost looks like it is an accessory port.

I am thinking that if I can find the male portion of this connection port then I can make my connection in that and it be more secure..ie better protected from dirt water and debris.

Does anyone know what this port is used for?

Thanks

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[marioweldinginc]

Not sure but check it for power with key on and off.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Tapatalk

[Grillmastertoo]

i have read in other places that this particular plug might be for a warrn winch hook up..maybe there was a package that suzuki and warn had/have and therefor this plug was added to ease in installation....

i would really like to try and find the plug and use it to make my connection...

What i dont want to have happen is for this plug to be some sort of a port where a diagnostic tool is plugged in to see what wrong with the bike....

Also, what does every one do with the extra wire that is left over? bundle it up and hid it out of sight or do you cut the ends off and make the cables the exact length for a more clean install?

This forum is great as there are so many helpful folks...

[oxidized_black]

if you tried that plug in with your test light and everything went on and off,with on and off, it prob wouldn't be for diagnostics. it prob is an auxilary for a warn winch pkg. like you heard.

[Grillmastertoo]

Does anyone have a good source for thesoe if connectors?

I don't know if I should try radio shack or some other place?

[oxidized_black]

any auto parts store, bike shop, wal-mart prob has them... pretty common. try and get decent ones that maybe have a plastic or rubber outer shell that mate up with each other. then tape the hell outta them LOL

[swampcat07]

Well, I found a white female connection box that doesn't have the male portion hooked to it.

It did have a removable rubber cap over it.

It has about 5 wires running to it.

One is the infamous orange and white wire that everyone refers to to use as the key on hot wire.

Does anyone know what this connection port is used for? It almost looks like it is an accessory port.

I am thinking that if I can find the male portion of this connection port then I can make my connection in that and it be more secure..ie better protected from dirt water and debris.

Does anyone know what this port is used for?

Thanks

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

I think the King Quads have accessory ports in the front and the back. This would be the best spot to tap into. Search online and see if you can find a wiring diagram for your quad. Sometimes a quick call to the dealer or tech service for the winch will be enough to give you an exact answer.

[Grillmastertoo]

Well, I visited the dealer tonight and they informed me that the "port " I found was actually an diagnostic port they plug into when checking the bike out...

His suggestion was to plug into the ignition fuse via a piggyback plug into the fuse box...

I also saw somewhere that there maybe a blue wire and a orange /white wire with bullet connections under the ignition pod or head light pod...

I'm not sure where those are though...

Im almost at the point of doing the entire install and then take to the dealer for them to tie it into the electrical system.....just worried I'm going to ness something up...

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[oxidized_black]

Well, I visited the dealer tonight and they informed me that the "port " I found was actually an diagnostic port they plug into when checking the bike out...

well bonus you found out before, sorry i suggested hooking it up there.... my bad

[Grillmastertoo]

No worries...I have heard there are wires up near the gauge pod that has an orange wire with a bullet connector on it already and it can be used.

I'm thinking of using the piggie back fuse idea into the ignition fuse spot ....

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[swampcat07]

No worries...I have heard there are wires up near the gauge pod that has an orange wire with a bullet connector on it already and it can be used.

I'm thinking of using the piggie back fuse idea into the ignition fuse spot ....

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

I read the same thing this morning. It was for a 2011 so I did not want to say anything for sure. Keep looking for a wiring diagram that would be the key. Plus it would be good to have for future repairs.

[Grillmastertoo]

Supposedly there were no changes between 2011 and 2012...

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk