I am looking to install a winch on my 2008 UR, but I just do not want to replace the entire bumper cover. If at all possible I would like to install a winch behind the front license plate. If a little cutting is necessary I would not be opposed to it. If any one has done this, please let me know as I was not able to locate anything with the "search" button.

Thanks!

-Shawn

I am not sure how you would do this. This would definitely require some fabrication. The winch has to bolt to the frame of the vehicle. With a bull bar that is easily done. W/o something that is bolted to the frame, that you can bolt a winch to...I haven't any idea how w/o custom fabrication that you could do this.

This has been done in the past by a company called Safari Gard, they are out of CA. Do a search for a member of this forum, xpdnrunner. He owns one of the few T4Rs that the company decked out for the television series Global Extremes. I did a search him earlier tonight after reading a thread on another site. If that doesnt turn anything up do a search of my threads, my first thread was on how to mount a winch behind the stock bumper, someone had posted a pic of this mod. From what I have read Safari Gard is reluctant to do any one time productions without a large sum of money. I have heard of people mounting a Warn winch plate behind the bumper and mounting the winch to that. Let me know what you decide to do, it is a mod I have been interested in since day one. The only thing holding me back is the $ involved to make this mod happen. Here is an article on the Global Extreme T4Rs that were released Global Extreme T4R

Now that is some good information. I will be calling Safari Gard after the holidays to discuss the possibility of a group buy...

However, I have been looking into the WARN universal mounting plates. I need to determine if there is sufficient space behind the bumper cover for this type of setup. Sometime during the holidays I will slow down and take some accurate measurements to test the feasability of this approach. If it does not seem reasonable then Safari Gard may be the only way to go...

-Shawn

You could always add a front trailer hitch reciever, and then mount your winch to an accessory that fits the reciever. The advantage of this is that you don't have to drive with the winch all the time, just put it on when you need it. It does F up your approach angle though.

This would've been my suggestion as well.

It would take some fabrication; but it should work.

What you want to do, is have a Warn winch plate attached to the underside of the cross-bar, behind the bumper. This cross-bar is not strong enough to support the loads a winch can create. Have a pair of steel plates made, with 6 holes, to match the fastener pattern where the bumper attaches to the frame. Sandwich each of these plates between the bumper and frame, and bolt it back together.

Now, fabricate the necessary structure to connect the Warn winch plate, to these two frame-plates. You should be able to make all the parts from flat, 1/4" steel plate material. Use cardboard to mock up the pieces, cut out the steel, grind and file to fit all the parts, then have a welder bring it all together.

This should put the winch just behind the lower grill, in the bumper. You can also fabricate any necessary pieces to hold the farelead out front. This can take some heavy side loads too, so don't skimp on this part either.

You must be reading my mind. I have been taking measurements and cutting cardboard off and on during the weekends. Hopefully right after tax season I will be able to have a welder build the prototype.

Since you are planning to fab something, consider this.
Search for user twfran who added a front receiver from HitchesOnline. Make your own to do the same type of thing but different. Turn it around ("upside down") and come over the top of the frame. You get around the approach angle by having the receiver come out the bumper where the plate is, not below it. Then you have the advantages of a removable hitch and not worrying about fitting it inside. Use the receiver for a custom plate holder when not in use and it will look stealth.

This is the thread you are talking about...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...threadid=37016

I don't think so. In his response he said that the trailer hitch would come out behind where the license place would be.

Yes, but I think if you were going to fab something, you could use his installation as a reference for the frame you would need to fab out to attach a winch to the frame.

boston_kevin, thanks for posting the link.

Like he said above, and what I was trying to say originally, use the HitchesOnline receiver as a reference to fab your own. Go to their site to find the .pdf document that shows the hitch and how it mounts. Use this as a starting point. One thing I would add to the fab job is side gusset plates for added strength like those used to attach the framework in the aftermarket ARB bumper. HitchesOnline comes out down below the bumper so fab it the other way "up" to come out behind the licence plate to improve the approach angle. This is roughly the height where you would be if you mounted the winch inside the bumper. How high were you planning on mounting it and where were you thinking of coming out with the lead (in the upper front grill?)

Nope. Right behind the license plate.

I am deeply interested in this, I am thinking of adding a brush guard down the road, but a winch would be more useful off the bat. Also I think the look of the winch coming from the license plate area would look completely amazing.