Unique multi mount winch front bumper.

[Robinhood4x4]

Ever since one particular snow run with my friend, I've wanted a multi mount winch. However, I knew the drawbacks too...I didn't want it sticking out too far. So I came up with a way to tuck the winch in as close as a normal winch bumper but yet still able to move it to the rear hitch. By the way, this is the first time any of us bent any tube. The bends came out surprisingly well.

http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-Fj8CX4V/0/L/i-Fj8CX4V-L.jpg

I got hitch material (sort of) and welded it to the winch mounting plate then fabbed a cradle to wrap around the mount. The winch mount sits in the cradle with 2 hitch pins securing it to the rest of the truck.
http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-PRtf4mc/0/L/i-PRtf4mc-L.jpg

The winch slips in from the top.
http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-59nLwKP/0/L/i-59nLwKP-L.jpg

Here's the finished product
http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-nxxdQPR/0/L/i-nxxdQPR-L.jpg

To move it to the back I use 2x2 tube and slide it into the winch bracket.
http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-fJnLGxW/0/L/i-fJnLGxW-L.jpg

http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-7CLSBWv/0/L/i-7CLSBWv-L.jpg

And then just plug it into the hitch receiver in the rear.
http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-4vwprwS/0/L/i-4vwprwS-L.jpg

http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-85DTqvS/0/L/i-85DTqvS-L.jpg

http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-bHWnZKp/0/L/i-bHWnZKp-L.jpg

I still need to get the wire and wire it all up.

And yes, the tranny cooler will be moved.

[Robinhood4x4]

There are a total of 8 bolts, 4 in tension and 4 in shear, with an option for a 9th in the center. I'm not sure if I want to put that one in though since it will be taking a disproportionate amount of the load. The 8 bolts use the factory captured nuts, but the ones in tension have been reinforced with a 1/4 inch plate like the front range reinforcement. On a side note, it's fricken hard to find metric graded bolts around here. I had to special order those from Fastenal and all they had were those allen head bolts.

[Robinhood4x4]

The plate that actually bolts to the truck is 3/8" thick.

I did find a locking hitch pin at lowes the other day. Works like a charm. Thanks for the offer.

My plan was to leave the winch off when I didn't need it, but I've come to the conclusion that it just plain looks cooler with the winch there . I ended up ordering the 12.9 grade.

The bender is my friends so I don't know where he got it. Probably from the usual places. It works well, we were impressed by how well the bumper came out. It looks damn near professional. We were a little surprised by how much force was required to bend the tube though. As you can see from the picture my friend is putting most of his weight into bending that 1.75" OD 1/8" th tube. But it's not bad.

[Robinhood4x4]

Side pictures:
http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-VvJrhpP/0/L/i-VvJrhpP-L.jpg
http://antinode.smugmug.com/photos/i-2ZfKLXp/0/L/i-2ZfKLXp-L.jpg

[olharleyman]

Very nice now do you have another one sittin around i can have lol :thumbup: :flipoff: may be or at atleast the the build sheet so i can copy it i really like that bumper

[bamachem]

mmmmmmm... me likes. me likes LOTS. :D

[Erich_870]

You plan to use Anderson quick connectors front and rear for the wiring? If so, get them from McMaster-Carr. They are the cheapest by far!

Erich

[Robinhood4x4]

I don't have any plans or anything, but if you need more pictures when you get closer to building I can go take some.

I already have one set of connectors, just need to get the rear set now. And yeah, I'd probably go with mcmaster.

[mastacox]

That is a very cool idea (note to self).

Any problems with it rattling?

[Robinhood4x4]

Nope, no rattling. Even if there is, I doubt I could hear it.

[slosurfer]

bump to the top for a killer bumper. :thumbup:

Getting ideas for my bumper, bumping it up so it's easier to find tonight. :)

[slosurfer]

Steve, have you changed anything on this or is there anything you would have done different now that it's been on awhile?

Also, what did you do with your front turn signals?

[Robinhood4x4]

Maybe use a little thicker steel where that orange plate is. When I bought it, I thought it was 1/4" but it turned out to be something a little thinner. Other than that, nope, I like it the way it is.

For the turn signals, I ended up building an elaborate mounting system for each one.


































http://www.robinhood4x4.com/UY/UY-Threads/Turn%20signal.JPG

Someday I might rewire the parking lights to be the turn signals. Until then, I just remove the turn signals if I think I'll bash them.

[slosurfer]

Okay, so far the one thing I know for sure that I can do is the turn signal mounts. :laugh: Too bad one of my turn signals already bit the dust at Hollister.

[Crinale]

finally thinking bout building a real bumper chris? rather than that light bar :hillbill: :flipoff:

[slosurfer]

finally thinking bout building a real bumper chris? rather than that light bar :hillbill: :flipoff:


Yeah, I fubar'd my bumper and turn signals up at Hollister last weekend at Hollister

[Crinale]

ah good job :-P ... i think im gonna do my whole front end (including engine cage and bumper) at the same time i do a rebuild to fix my stupid headgasket.. (currently saving money to get it done) as hot as i got the darn thing id bet i warped the heads too >.<

[corax]

To move it to the back I use 2x2 tube and slide it into the winch bracket.
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/gallery2/Front%20bumper/images/IMG_1633%20(Small).JPG


Love this idea and surprised I didn't see it before. Just to clarify, the bit of square below your winch plate is actually a 2" receiver tube and the cradle was custom bent to fit around that?

[Robinhood4x4]

Yes, the square is hitch tube but the cradle was cut and welded around it, not bent. There's no bending that thickness of steel with hand tools!

[corax]

Yes, the square is hitch tube but the cradle was cut and welded around it, not bent. There's no bending that thickness of steel with hand tools!


Yeah, I was figuring I would use the score / bend / weld method to get the bends.
I need to make a new front bumper and have been collecting ideas again, now I just need to move and get a job at a gargae with a decent MIG again (tired of cleaning up flux core splatter, though it does penetrate well enough).

[01taco]

Wow thats a really nice bumper i like it! I would love to build me one like that with the removable winch like that.

[Robinhood4x4]

Then you should do it! :)

It was definitely a lot of work, but I think it turned out pretty well and functions great.

[01taco]

First i need a bigger welder and some better fab skills. haha