I've fabricated my own winch mount - thoughts please!

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
TheRealPlank

TheRealPlank

Active Member
Posts
207
Location
Isle of Wight
Morning All!

I bought myself a winch, and was originally going to mount it on the back, between the chassis rails.
After chatting with a few people, I decided to mount it on the front... main reason for this is because I drive forward into mud, and normally need to get out the other side (hadn't occurred to me, no snickering please! hahaha :pound: )

After deciding I definitely want to mount the winch to front of my landy, I had a look around at some winch bumpers that are available, and was horrified by the amount they all stick out! :eek::eek: Some of them are huge - and ugly!!

I also rather like the look of the standard bumper... :cool: And I don't want to impair my approach angle with a winch bumper the size of a house.


So after all that decision making, and drawing, and way too much thinking, I decided my only option was to make my own...
 
Right - first was remove bumper!
IMG_6076.jpeg
Must have been loosing MPG with all that Slindon Safari mud in my bumper!
IMG_8506.jpeg
 
Next was to take some measurements, and do myself a CAD drawing - a perfect way to play around with different ideas, and a good way to check everything fits, without actually making anything.

I have all my drawings, including measurements etc so you could make your own if you wanted. Or pay me to make you one... ;);)

Decision made - idea chosen; time to break out the tools!
 
This is a picture of the main plate - the one that'll be taking all the strain from the winch.

Unfortunately for you readers, I got rather carried away after making the first plate, and actually finished the winch plate before I took any more pictures... But here it is anyway!
IMG_3217.jpeg
 
To fit the winch as far back as I wanted to, I had to cut into my grille, and surround...

Marked out - using the winch and plate for reference.
IMG_0244.jpeg

Broke the grinder out, and cut (much to my reluctance) the radiator surround.

IMG_9166.jpeg

First bit of my landy I've cut - I'm still a little broken up about it. I couldn't bring myself to throw the bit I cut off out either haha. I love my landy too much. :p:p
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0176.jpeg
    IMG_0176.jpeg
    338.6 KB · Views: 291
Now for the jump...

IMG_7199.jpeg

You'll see I've added a plate to the front of the base plate, this is to mount the fairlead on, and to protect the winch from the inevitable bashing.
Its at a slight angle to account for the bolts that stick out the back.

IMG_8999.jpeg

I have also welded a plate at the back perpendicular to the base plate, so that I can bolt it onto the front crossmember if I deem it necessary... What do you guys reckon?

IMG_9724.jpeg

Currently got the 4 bolts that hold the bumper on, holding the winch on. Shear stress on those bolts is about 4 tonne. So by my math thats 16 tonne of shear stress resistance - and I've only got a 4 tonne winch, so would have to snatch block it 4 times? Before it pulls itself off.

But I'm still not sure if I trust it, as it's pulling from behind the bolts - hence the extra bracket to attach to the front crossmember...

Need to give her a good test! Preferably without reaching breaking point! :pound:
 
My fairey pto winch has 4 bolts that also secure it to the front crossmember, Only thing I dont like about it is if the wire rope breaks its goodbye radiator!
 
nice odea but the standard bumper is **** thin so I would be concerned about twisting and bending that, also if your wire doesnt spool in perfectly it will wreck your rad, you point about mounting it on the rear isnt that stupid as if your stuck why pull yourself further in? if its on the rear you can just pull back out of the mud
 
lynall said:
Tis true, but to get the fairey to fit you have to cut the grill same as the ops, so theres nothing protection wise.
Click to expand...

yeah but the grille will do jack **** if it snaps, depending on the load it can slice a person in half so a but of plastic is no problem for it
 
I made my own using an old (nackered) bumper with a decent tray and 6mm sheet steel .. It only sticks out about 2", maybe less, than the standard bumper .. and I didn't have to cut the grille .. ;)

DSC_0021_zpsffbf153b.jpg


DSC_0022_zps9abba245.jpg
 
Paul D said:
I made my own using an old (nackered) bumper with a decent tray and 6mm sheet steel .. It only sticks out about 2", maybe less, than the standard bumper .. and I didn't have to cut the grille .. ;)

DSC_0021_zpsffbf153b.jpg


DSC_0022_zps9abba245.jpg
Click to expand...

Like that Paul what winch is that and what did it set you back. For the winch and the build ?
 
slim jim said:
Like that Paul what winch is that and what did it set you back. For the winch and the build ?
Click to expand...


Reason you didnt have to cut grill is your winch is gay:D:D
Nice job on the bumper, well finished
What you need is one of these, but have to be honest and say the bumper has done plenty of ploughing on trials, takes a fair whack to and not bent.
Also totally wateproof as I can testify as had to use it a few times to get myself out from slurry pits
Dont ask about the winch wire that was the result of a near rollover one xmas night whilst laning and the cable was the last of my worries:)



 
It's a Warn M8000, cost £60 plus lots of fettling and a £69 motor from ebay, hence the white sealant! Right now the motor has a broken post so needs some work, but it's been pretty good so worth persevering with. The synthetic rope was second hand £30, is only about 15metres long, but is a 'proper' 12mm decent rope. Feels gorgeous when washed!

I 'acquired' the steel, over-ordered for something else, so made the bumper ends and welded it altogether. I found the tow hitch .. We don't have much money so most of the bits on the 90 are home-made .. but mostly stronger for it and definitely fit for purpose!!

The original wire rope from the winch is in great condition, in my shed, but I'm teaching myself wire rope splicing so at some point I'll make it into a decent extension with proper loops or hooks and master link at each end. I did it with the synthetic rope, don't see why I can't with wire!! ;)

I'd like a larger winch and longer rope, but I've never actually had a problem with it yet .. ;)
 
Paul D said:
It's a Warn M8000, cost £60 plus lots of fettling and a £69 motor from ebay, hence the white sealant! Right now the motor has a broken post so needs some work, but it's been pretty good so worth persevering with. The synthetic rope was second hand £30, is only about 15metres long, but is a 'proper' 12mm decent rope. Feels gorgeous when washed!

I 'acquired' the steel, over-ordered for something else, so made the bumper ends and welded it altogether. I found the tow hitch .. We don't have much money so most of the bits on the 90 are home-made .. but mostly stronger for it and definitely fit for purpose!!

The original wire rope from the winch is in great condition, in my shed, but I'm teaching myself wire rope splicing so at some point I'll make it into a decent extension with proper loops or hooks and master link at each end. I did it with the synthetic rope, don't see why I can't with wire!! ;)

I'd like a larger winch and longer rope, but I've never actually had a problem with it yet .. ;)
Click to expand...

Never seen wire rope spliced, bet you end up losing loads of skin!
Wire rope tends to sell for 30/40 quid on ebay.
Syn rope is one of the things on my to get list, but Im just to tight for how little I use it
 
All these winch bumpers.

I modified a tubular one with homemade plate. Its being changed back to a Std bumper. It amazes me how many bumpers you pay good money for that give you more front overhang. My new one will be very similar to the OP's however I will try to get it behind the actual bumper instead of on top of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Evoque L538 front foglights
Replies
2
Views
388
james7676
J
J
300 Tdi engine swap story - and a few questions
Replies
13
Views
1K
doriz
doriz
J
300 Tdi Engine back in, nearly - Story and at the end Questions
Replies
0
Views
498
jer_300Tdi_90
J
G
P38A Installing a factory winch tray
Replies
4
Views
824
Mark Piercy
Mark Piercy
roger352
FOR SALE landrover discovery 300 tdi
Replies
12
Views
1K
Knappster
Knappster
Back
Top