Winch security

Just about to fit a Warn winch to my winch bumper, and wondered if people have taken any security measures, as it struck me as the 4 bolts are easy accessible and all Mr Scumbag has to do is unbolt and yank out the winch

Don't want to tack weld the bolts as this can result in weakening the bolts, so wondered what other people have done.

I was thinking of welding a plate over the 2 back bolts to hinder access. If I ever need to remove the winch then I can angle grind it off, and this will hopefully stop the opportunity thief....

You can get some special security bolts like these
RC4WD Winch Hold Down Mounting Screws Bolts & Nuts 4 Z-S0397 Fits Bulldog Winch | eBay
Might not fit warn winch but Google is your friend............

Yeah, have seen ones like that, but still think they can easily be unscrewed by the 'wheel locking nut' method

Am I missing something here? Those are M2.5 bolts for a radio controlled car winch aren't they? Can't imagine they're gonna hold much down!

Oops, wrong picture but you can get them in the right size. I'm sure there is someone who does them a bit like steering lock bolts so you tighten them and then the bolt head shears off

Saltlick said:

Am I missing something here? Those are M2.5 bolts for a radio controlled car winch aren't they? Can't imagine they're gonna hold much down!

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That's what I thought! But I thought they were joking!!!!

About security, you could replace the bolts with some oddball safety bolts that the average 'Mr Scumbag' won't have the tools for (say a new Torx bolt with a pin in the centre meaning a standard Torx tool won't work, except for the fact that you'll have to buy the tool and so can they), but it should keep their hands off it for a few days. And every week, just to be certain, replace it with a new type of oddball bolt until no one's interested!!!!!!!!

Think I will just weld a plate over a couple of the bolts, as not fancying changing bolts every week!!

I was kidding about the weekly bolt change
But if you put in say a Torx pin head bolt on even one corner it should stop a thief with 'your average tool kit.' Could also act as a visual deterrent (dunno where your plate is going to go).

Will post up a pic once I have done it - will be more a 'fit it and see' jobbie.......

StuRox said:

Will post up a pic once I have done it - will be more a 'fit it and see' jobbie.......

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Looking forwards to seeing it
Like your Disco btw

Cheers

You can buy shear head nuts where the hex bit shears off when they're torqued up, leaving a cone that can only be removed by drilling or cutting.

Have a look at them at Screwfix

I don't know if the'd be any good as I've never fitted a winch but maybe worth a look.

the nuts are square nuts that fit in the winch, so it's the bolts that are showing under the bumper....

Same problem. Be interested to know how common winch theft is too!

I don't know if it is a common thing or not, but if I can help prevent a scumbag helping himself to an expensive bit of kit, then all the better.

I have now got my internal switch, bonnet cut off switch and have made the winch wireless remote so will be doing the install in a couple of weeks once I have a free weekend......

StuRox said:

I don't know if it is a common thing or not, but if I can help prevent a scumbag helping himself to an expensive bit of kit, then all the better.

I have now got my internal switch, bonnet cut off switch and have made the winch wireless remote so will be doing the install in a couple of weeks once I have a free weekend......

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Yeah massively important to have the internal supply cutoff, don't want some scrote cutting your car in half with the winch wire...