2021 Can-Am Commander 1000DPS Warn Winch/Mount Installation

2021 Can-Am Commander 1000DPS Warn Winch/Mount Installation

Brought to you by Warn

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Warn products installed on the 2021 Commander 1000DPS build project:

Powersports Bumper for Can-Am SXS – 102506?https://www.warn.com/powersports-bumper-for-can-am-sxs-102506

HUB Wireless Receiver for Axon Winches – 103940?https://www.warn.com/hub-receiver-axon-103940

AXON 45-S Powersport Winch – 101140?https://www.warn.com/warn-industries-101140

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Before & After!

?First we installed the Can-Am front bumper Sku: 715007631 https://can-am-shop.brp.com/off-road/us/en/715007631-front-bumper.html

Note: This is very important because the Warn Bumper winch mount attaches to this bumper.

?First thing I always do is lay out my kit to make sure all the parts are included before we start the installation. Plus it is a good time to go over the instruction manual.

Note: Bare in mind this kit is designed to fit the newer model Can-Am Maverick Sport & Trail. The 2021 and newer Commander is based on the Maverick platform. The only exterior differences in the front are the size of the plastic body work.?In order to make it work for the Commander we need to make some slight modifications first.

• Installation Instructions - 102564A1

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The first part we need to install is part # A4, the lower support bracket.

Note: This is identical to the Maverick.

Next we loosely mounted A3 (Bumper Winch Support)to the Can-Am bumper.

Next we loosely mounted A3 (Bumper Winch Support) and A1 (Bumper) together, and quickly found out the plastics on the Commander is way wider the Mavericks.?So in order to make the bumper fit we needed to modify the rear outer wings of the bumper. I made a few cuts with the grinders cutting wheel, then bent the outer rear wing out about 45 degrees. I then trimmed off a small section of the wing so it would line up with the lines of the Commanders plastic. It is marked in the picture below for orientation to the fit up. I then welded the areas I cut, and finished it off with some rustoleum black paint.

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I loosely installed everything and it fit perfect with my modifications. Unfortunately we are installing the Axon 4500S winch which has the contactor build in, making it slightly larger than the other winches this was originally designed for.

Note: Compatible with VRX 25, VRX 35, Axon 35 winches.

Like I told you, we are installing the new Warn Axon 4500S, which has the contactor installed in the winch housing. The beauty of this is the ease of installing this winch. You have winch wires to the power source, and winch wires to your power block which turns on power to the winch when the key is turned on.

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In order to make the new Warn Axon 4500S fit, I had to remove some of the top wing so the Axon winch would mount without hitting the wings. I also had to drill new mounting holes for the winch, so it could mount to the bumper. Time to paint again :)

After the paint dried I installed the bumper in position and loosely mounted the winch to check for proper fitment. Everything looked great and we are making headway.

?Next, is to run the power wires to the battery source. Then mount your toggle switch for the winch movements in and out. I also chose to run the remote plug in just in case we ever need to use it.

While you are running the wires to the toggle switch it is a good idea to mount your wireless receiver in a spot you can access it if needed to down the road.

Good manual & guide to the Warn Wireless Receiver:

• HUB Receiver Manual - 103969.AO
• Hub Receiver Quick Start Guide for Axon Winches - 103973.A0

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A point to remember is to attach all of your wires to the winch before you secure it to the bumper.?I still leave the winch a bit loose while I am fishing the wires through the grill and along the frame. Once you have all your wires secure then do a final tighten on the winch mount bolts.

I always run my power wires through to the battery first. This is how I do it, some others may just attach them to the bus bar under the dash, but I prefer to attach my main winch power cables to the battery. I also put a wire loom around my power cables so they do not chafe against anything.

?Running the cables back to the battery is labor intensive, but it makes for a very neat package when it is complete.

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Next on the list is to figure out where we are going to install our toggle switch and also our remote connection in our dash.?I chose to insert the Winch Toggle Switch on the left hand side right beside the light switch. It seemed convenient for me placed there. I can easily reach it if I am standing outside of the driver’s door.

I chose the center part of the dash beside the 12V electrical plug in for the remote control location. We may never use this, but it is there just in case.

When you install the Warn Wireless Receiver be very careful where you install it! I put it under the dash on the left side of the driver. You need to pare this with your app on your phone before you can use it, plus if you ever have to pare it again you need to be able to get at it to press the paring button. Where we installed it is not in the way and can be reached easily to re-pare it if necessary.

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?Now that we have the power wires run to the battery, and firmly secured, plus all of our other controls in position, it’s time to connect our switch wires to the bus bar underneath the center of the dash. Be careful how you hook up your control wires on the bus bar. To have as little battery draw as possible when not in use I hooked up everything to the key side. If you do this, the only time everything is hot will be when your key is on, or your machine is running.

Note: I left all the controls loose until we hooked up the wires to them. I only inserted them into their homes after all the wires were installed.

?Now insert your toggle switch into its position, attach your remote connection, and secure any loose wires. At this time I go over all the wires, connections, and such before I button the center consul up and get ready to test our unit out.

Note: This is a good time to power up your machine and pare your wireless receiver, and test your winch out.

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?Ok, that was a fun project, a bit labor intensive, but everything came together very nicely. We will be testing this unit out very soon here in the mountains of Wyoming and thereabouts.

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My impressions:

The Wireless Receiver is an awesome addition to an already excellent winching setup.

Once you use a front mount winch set up you will never go back to a hidden winch set up.

Great combo with the Axon 4500S Winch, Front Mount Bumper, & the Wireless Receiver.

Easy access to your winch when needed.

Winch is mounted high and dry out of the elements.

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Cons:

None.

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Bottom Line:

I have been off-roading most of my life and have found it necessary to have a winch on any vehicle you venture off the beaten path with. I think of it as having peace of mind in case you or your buddies get stuck.

This combo set up that we have on the Commander just helps to make it that much better of an off road machine. The winch is awesome, the front mount bumper allows you easy access to your winch, and the wireless remote allows you to not be tethered to your machine when you are winching.

One of the negatives of having your winch mounted low in your vehicle is the fact that your winch lives in an area that is always submerged in the elements. Plus when you need it you have to fishing to find the cables, and engage your winch. With the set up like I have now, access to your winch is a breeze, and your winch is always mounted high out of the elements.

Bottom line is once you run a system like this it would be really hard to go back to the old ways. I have run several machines with the front mount bumper/winch mount and I will never go back to the old ways of winch mounting.

Note: This article is not meant to be a how to install it instruction manual, but just my thoughts on how I like to do things. Warn has plenty of great instructions on how to mount the bumper, winch, and wireless remote.