Winch mounting options

[NickDawson]

Hey folks,
Quick question about winches - is a special bumper required? Or is it just an aesthetic thing? In other words, is there any reason I can't bolt it to my existing frame/bumper (somehow?)?

I've researched options from our host and from Ike at Pangolin - there are some great looking full bull bars and even simple bumpers. I'm not opposed to going that route, but I have also learned that the second I spend cash on anything remotely aesthetic then something major will break :D

[graniterover]

The stock bumper is made of paper. You could bolt a winch to it, but probably not a good idea if you plan on using the winch.

[SalemRover]

When my winch was mounted it was mounted using what appeared to be oversized angle iron. A friend had it bent up at a shop for me. It was pretty thick, around 1/4" or so. Might be worth talking to a local metal shop to see what they can do for you.

[galen216]

I used a standard mount from Warn. it cost something like $80 and the slots fell right in line with the bumper mounting bolts. You have to have a winch that can be mounted foot forward though.

What type of winch did you get?

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu245/galen216/DixonBate2.jpg

At the time I researched there are many options for Jeeps on ebay that may work for a foot down mounting too. Some of the sheet metal mounting plates were pretty cheap @ $40 or so.

[NickDawson]

I knew it!
The rover caught wind of this post - when I went to drive it in the snow today, the wipers died. Turned 'em on to clear the snow off, they moved 1/2" and that was that.
Silly me, thinking about luxuries like a winch :D

Its a warn something something...it was a gift from a well intentioned Santa, not my purchase. In fact its been at my folks house since Christmas day - I want to say it is this one
http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-6732-warn-8000-lb-winch.aspx

[galen216]

If it is an M8000 then it can be mounted foot forward. But until you have the winch in hand wait on the mount b/c it could be foot forward or foot down mounting.

[J.McKelvey]

I used a stock bumper but I boxed it in and reinforced it. It's held up great. I need to get it galvanized sometime.

I wouldn't use just a stock bumper without reinforcing it but if you mount it on top of the bumper it would be fine.

[JimCT]

Hate to lose the hand crank, makes setting the valves so easy.

[J.McKelvey]

I used to have a koenig winch on the front so I'm used to not having the hand crank. You just need a patient friend to turn it with a ratchet wrench for you.

[NickDawson]

Hate to lose the hand crank, makes setting the valves so easy.

Don't have the right starter dog for it anyway :(
On a related note, I think my arm is already permanently disfigured from trying to crank the fan belt around to find the timing notch

[Tim Smith]

I used a stock bumper but I boxed it in and reinforced it. It's held up great. I need to get it galvanized sometime.

I wouldn't use just a stock bumper without reinforcing it but if you mount it on top of the bumper it would be fine.
J. McKelvey, nice truck but please please please make sure those bolts and D-rings are strong enough to take your winch at full pull. I'd also want to see backing plates behind those bolts as they could pull right through a standard bumper.

When you've planned for 110%, sure enough one day you'll need 111%.

[Sputnicker]

Nick,

I bought a bumper from Ike and it is an impressive and beastly piece of fine metal-craft. It will outlive all of us, except maybe the cockroaches. That said, if you don't want to spend the money, a good fabricator can make a strong winch mount that will work with the original bumper. The key is to transfer the loads to the frame, rather than rely the bumper. Try to make your wipers understand that winches are not luxuries once you get stuck.

[J.McKelvey]

Tim Smith,

The D-rings breaking strength are rated for more then the maximum pull of the winch and there are also 1/4" backing plates behind them.It's just hard to show that in these pictures

John

[Tim Smith]

Tim Smith,

The D-rings breaking strength are rated for more then the maximum pull of the winch and there are also 1/4" backing plates behind them.It's just hard to show that in these pictures

JohnGlad to hear it mate. You have a lovely looking truck. I just want to be sure everyone is safe.

[Lalo88DK]

Mine is a DIY thingy, made from 6 mm steel plate placed on top of the front-bumper and bolted to the chassis.
It's been strengthened with some hidden steel-bars welded to the front cross-member.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/th_Nytspil004.jpg (http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/Nytspil004.jpg)

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/th_spilmontering003.jpg (http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/spilmontering003.jpg)

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/th_DSC_0006.jpg (http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/DSC_0006.jpg)

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/th_08012009034.jpg (http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/08012009034.jpg)

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/th_marts027.jpg (http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/marts027.jpg)

[crankin]

Not trying to hijack the thread...but Lalo what side lamps are you sporting there?

[Lalo88DK]

Not trying to hijack the thread...but Lalo what side lamps are you sporting there?

Just standard ones, and side indicators are Ermax. :)

[J.McKelvey]

Tim Smith,

Thanks. I understand your concern. I've seen a few close calls because of poor recovery points. It's something people often over look.

John

[NickDawson]

hey gang - been busy lately, just wanted to make sure I didn't go without a timely "thank you" for all the input here. Clearly I need to invest metal fabrication tools next :D (any excuse for tools, right?)
This has given me a lot to work with - very appreciated!

[czenkov]

I used a standard mount from Warn. it cost something like $80 and the slots fell right in line with the bumper mounting bolts. You have to have a winch that can be mounted foot forward though.

What type of winch did you get?

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu245/galen216/DixonBate2.jpg

At the time I researched there are many options for Jeeps on ebay that may work for a foot down mounting too. Some of the sheet metal mounting plates were pretty cheap @ $40 or so.

Galen - :thumb-up:Can you take more detailed pics as to how you mounted the plate and also of how you cut the pan so that you could use it with the mount? Thanks
Drew

[yorker]

FWIW:
the Warn 8274 was supplied by LR as RTC 8013, there was a fitting kit RTC 8014 for it for the Series III.

[galen216]

Galen - :thumb-up:Can you take more detailed pics as to how you mounted the plate and also of how you cut the pan so that you could use it with the mount? Thanks
Drew

The plate mounts directly to the bumper to frame bolts. The Warn mount has slots and they worked perfectly with what was there. I did add some bolts across the front where the Warn mount had holes but really the force is on the bumper bolts.

I didn't cut the pan. It sits right under the mount and they fit perfectly together. I'll try and get some pictures this weekend.