winch mount

[corax]

What do the more knowledgable DIY fabber's think of this style winch mount? This is from a 4xInnovations bumper and I like the idea of less weight/metal and structurally it seems OK to me (maybe not in a serious side pull + obviously needs a fairlead). I've been thinking of getting a 6k winch lately (and a snatch block) for light duty use. If you were doing this, what material would you use? I was thinking maybe some 3/16" thick hot rolled channel 2" wide x 1" deep (with the open end facing down), possibly a 1" round tube X or V brace underneath to limit twist.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/fb1wa.jpg

[Robinhood4x4]

I was thinking maybe some 3/16" thick hot rolled channel 2" wide x 1" deep (with the open end facing down), possibly a 1" round tube X or V brace underneath to limit twist.


Which part will you be fabricating? The whole bumper or just the winch mount?

[4runnerchevy]

In that bumper the structure of the mount, IS the bumper, If your gonna do that type of thing, make sure your bumper is sound, and firmly attached to the frame.

[Robinhood4x4]

Exactly what I was getting at.

[corax]

In that bumper the structure of the mount, IS the bumper, If your gonna do that type of thing, make sure your bumper is sound, and firmly attached to the frame.


In that case I should just need to put 1 bar across my verticles to brace the front and figure out what to do with the rear attachment based on which winch I go with and the mountign pattern (want to keep it low without having any parts stick out past the bumper) . . . 8x14mm bolts and 2x10mm bolts to the frame should keep the bumper from going anywhere and it's already been impact tested and yanked on a few times

So, any suggestions on what to use for the pieces the winch actually sits on?

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/3857/1000024ym1.jpg

[Cebby]

I would use a plate like that available from Trailgear (http://www.trail-gear.com/images/120021-1-k.jpg) or Budbuilt (http://www.budbuilt.com/new/winch_plates.html). Relying on those two small mounting areas on your example is in essence relying on the body of the winch to provide some structural integrity. That will end badly with a broken winch housing if any part of that bumper lets go or gets tweaked.

[corax]

Yeah, I really like the TG mount, but I don't want to build a new bumper. I've also seen the results of poor winch mounting (broken "feet"). Just trying to save a bit of weight (while adding a winch :roll:)because the bumper is already heavy enough - - My thought is if the bumper is sturdy enough not to flex and the mounting straps are short enough and strong enough . . . I still have a few measurements and staring at it to do before I make any decisions though.

Has anyone heard of problems with the 4x Innovations design in the pic above?