Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wazzabie · 06-30-2019, 12:56 AM

Here is a picture thread and some info on the Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics winches. I don't know which winch is better then the other. They both are hidden winches. The Desert Dynamics is a worm drive. Pictured below is the original mounts for a 73-78 chevy. The Desert Dynamics uses factory holes in the frame. I held up the Hickey mount and it also matches to some factory hole locations. I don't often see the Desert Dynamics winch on this forum.

Here is the controller/ solenoid box for the Desert Dynamics winch. Its made of plastic. The controller for the Hickey winch is in the same box as the control for the Desert Dynamics. The bottom control is for the Desert Dynamics.

Desert Dynamics got bought out by Pierce Winch which is still in business today in Texas and still has parts for the winch. I think Desert Dynamics bought out Thor Winch.

Pierce has the manuals for the Desert Dynamics here:
https://www.piercearrowinc.com/hubfs...amics_T200.pdf

Here is the cool Desert Dynamics logo that has the cattle horns. You can see how thick the metal is for the mount.

There is also a Thor marking on the winch.

Here is what the mounts looks like for the Hickey Sidewinder. The winch on the right came out of a 74 K5 Blazer, along with the brace below it and the rock guard. I don't know what make of vehicle the Hickey winch on the left came from. It has a different style mount. Perhaps a Ford Bronco.

On the Hickey the solenoids are covered by metal. Also pictured below is the controler mount.

Missing from the Hickey Sidewinder is the metal engagement rod and knob that runs up into the engine compartment. This was accidentally left on the 74 K5 when it was removed.

You can see on this thread below the engagement rod and knob which was from a Bronco. This part should be easy to make.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...5&postcount=13

**ShortbedClayton** · 06-30-2019, 09:12 AM

Nice pics on the winches! Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

farmall · 06-30-2019, 08:48 PM

The Hickey was very slow, hence hard on the battery. I never saw a DD in action. The Hickey was perfect for a CJ.

wazzabie · 06-30-2019, 09:39 PM

Something else about the Hickey winch that I just noticed. The outlet for the cable is longer on the winch on the left. The outlet is smaller on the winch on the right so it will fit into the rock guard.

The Desert Dynamics would operate much like this Ramsey worm drive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82kbJCiPzQQ

wazzabie · 06-30-2019, 10:10 PM

Here is a bubble out window for the K5 Blazer the Desert Dynamics sold at some point. I don't think I've seen this in the Hickey catalogs.

wazzabie · 07-01-2019, 11:46 AM

Vic Hickey baja racer with a Desert Dynamics sticker.

wazzabie · 07-01-2019, 01:44 PM

According to this article Vic Hickey also was a owner in Desert Dynamics.

According to this article here in Desert Magazine.

http://swdeserts.com/index_htm_files...-1969-July.pdf

"The Chevy Blazer, latest entry in the off-road vehicle market really made a good showing at this event under the capable preparation of Vic Hickey and his Desert Dynamics Company with Drivers Donnie Bayer of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Johnny Diaz, Los Angeles. Carl Jackson, Hemet, winner of two previous Grand Prix, lost his first round in a mud hole, as did actor Steve McQueen."

**1774btcrew** · 07-05-2019, 12:05 AM

Is the main gear on the Desert Dynamics aluminum or steel? I know at least on of my Sidewinders has a bad gear

wazzabie · 07-05-2019, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

Is the main gear on the Desert Dynamics aluminum or steel? I know at least on of my Sidewinders has a bad gear

steel - the manual describes the material used for the various components.

https://www.piercearrowinc.com/hubfs...amics_T200.pdf

**1774btcrew** · 07-05-2019, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazzabie

steel - the manual describes the material used for the various components.

https://www.piercearrowinc.com/hubfs...amics_T200.pdf

I would prefer it over the hickey for that reason

06-30-2019, 12:56 AM	#1
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 378	Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches Here is a picture thread and some info on the Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics winches. I don't know which winch is better then the other. They both are hidden winches. The Desert Dynamics is a worm drive. Pictured below is the original mounts for a 73-78 chevy. The Desert Dynamics uses factory holes in the frame. I held up the Hickey mount and it also matches to some factory hole locations. I don't often see the Desert Dynamics winch on this forum. Here is the controller/ solenoid box for the Desert Dynamics winch. Its made of plastic. The controller for the Hickey winch is in the same box as the control for the Desert Dynamics. The bottom control is for the Desert Dynamics. Desert Dynamics got bought out by Pierce Winch which is still in business today in Texas and still has parts for the winch. I think Desert Dynamics bought out Thor Winch. Pierce has the manuals for the Desert Dynamics here: https://www.piercearrowinc.com/hubfs...amics_T200.pdf Here is the cool Desert Dynamics logo that has the cattle horns. You can see how thick the metal is for the mount. There is also a Thor marking on the winch. Here is what the mounts looks like for the Hickey Sidewinder. The winch on the right came out of a 74 K5 Blazer, along with the brace below it and the rock guard. I don't know what make of vehicle the Hickey winch on the left came from. It has a different style mount. Perhaps a Ford Bronco. On the Hickey the solenoids are covered by metal. Also pictured below is the controler mount. Missing from the Hickey Sidewinder is the metal engagement rod and knob that runs up into the engine compartment. This was accidentally left on the 74 K5 when it was removed. You can see on this thread below the engagement rod and knob which was from a Bronco. This part should be easy to make. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...5&postcount=13

06-30-2019, 09:12 AM	#2
ShortbedClayton Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 703	Re: Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches Nice pics on the winches! Thanks Posted via Mobile Device

06-30-2019, 08:48 PM	#3
farmall Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Central OR Posts: 731	Re: Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches The Hickey was very slow, hence hard on the battery. I never saw a DD in action. The Hickey was perfect for a CJ. __________________ 1955 GMC 250 8 Flatbed 1971 C30 157" 350 4spd 10' Flatbed 81 GMC K30 CnC 9' Flatbed 454 T400 89 GMC Jimmy Stock https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810958 71 LT1 Convertible, 72 Coupe 69 CJ5, 75 CJ6, 67 M715, 72 M35A2 Bobbed, 95 XLC2

06-30-2019, 09:39 PM	#4
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 378	Re: Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches Something else about the Hickey winch that I just noticed. The outlet for the cable is longer on the winch on the left. The outlet is smaller on the winch on the right so it will fit into the rock guard. The Desert Dynamics would operate much like this Ramsey worm drive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82kbJCiPzQQ Last edited by wazzabie; 06-30-2019 at 09:54 PM.

06-30-2019, 10:10 PM	#5
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 378	Re: Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches Here is a bubble out window for the K5 Blazer the Desert Dynamics sold at some point. I don't think I've seen this in the Hickey catalogs.

07-01-2019, 11:46 AM	#6
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 378	Re: Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches Vic Hickey baja racer with a Desert Dynamics sticker.

07-01-2019, 01:44 PM	#7
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 378	Re: Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches According to this article Vic Hickey also was a owner in Desert Dynamics. According to this article here in Desert Magazine. http://swdeserts.com/index_htm_files...-1969-July.pdf "The Chevy Blazer, latest entry in the off-road vehicle market really made a good showing at this event under the capable preparation of Vic Hickey and his Desert Dynamics Company with Drivers Donnie Bayer of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Johnny Diaz, Los Angeles. Carl Jackson, Hemet, winner of two previous Grand Prix, lost his first round in a mud hole, as did actor Steve McQueen."

07-05-2019, 12:05 AM	#8
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,603	Re: Hickey Sidewinder and Desert Dynamics Winches Is the main gear on the Desert Dynamics aluminum or steel? I know at least on of my Sidewinders has a bad gear __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.



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