Factory Bumper Winch Install

[stickw]

Hey everyone, did a decent amount of research and couldn't find much info. Was looking to add a winch to my 4runner, but dont plan on aftermarket bumper. Been in enough precarious situations by myself where this made since. Ok, on with details and pics.

Harbor Freight universal winch plate-$40
3/16s Angle steel 4 ft. plus 3/16s flat steel-$16
Friend with Welder and my imagination....
Smittybilt XRC 9500 with synthetic line (wanted to keep weight down)

Dont have the best pics but surprised i remembered this many lol.

 

[Range]

Very nice and clean looking. I have a Shrockworks bumper and my sphincter is clenching knowing I'm going to have to either remove it or do some cutting to get a winch in there.

 

[Davy180]

Nice work! Looks really clean.

 

[FI460]

Awesome install! The stealth looks great with the white rig.

 

[edwardvmassey]

That is awesome, exactly what I am looking to do. Any chance you could snag some pics of where you welded it to the frame? or any specific cuts you had to make?

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Looks awesome, nice clean install :yo:

 

[stickw]

Thanks for the positive remarks. Attached another pic to maybe answer the attachment point. Basically mounted to the crossmember attachment to the frame. Here is a pic of figment early on. Then these brackets were welded to the harbor freight mount. So, if need be, this is not to difficult to remove.

 

[CO_Fletch]

This is very helpful!! I had looked at the Budbuilt hidden mount and was thinking I should be able to build something cheaper. Thanks for sharing!

 

[cmoua]

stickw: Looks awesome! I am considering doing something similar. Have you used winch with your setup and is it able to handle the weight of the 4runner in similar situation as being stuck?

 

[stickw]

test

I have not used the mount yet to test the strength. I am going to Moab mid may, but will try and do some testing before then and report back. Hope its strong, as if its not, would defnately cause a bumper problem.....

 

[A/V1]

I am seriously liking it! Nice Job! :thumb:

 

[cmoua]

I have not used the mount yet to test the strength. I am going to Moab mid may, but will try and do some testing before then and report back. Hope its strong, as if its not, would defnately cause a bumper problem.....

I am interested in your test. If result is positive I plan to copy your design and do something similar with my rig.

 

[Paisano]

Wow. Finished work looks very nice, wasn't expecting it to be that nice when reading the first post. Great job though!

 

[stickw]

test

Ok, I am open to ideas for what you would consider a worthy test, and don't tell me to hook to a tree limb and lift the whole front end. I am think incline, maybe some brake pressure during a pull etc.... let me know what you would do to be satisfied with the result. thx. I have family in all weekend but may be able to do early next week and post back.

 

[mauolaidom]

The stealth looks great with the white rig.

 

[cmoua]

Ok, I am open to ideas for what you would consider a worthy test, and don't tell me to hook to a tree limb and lift the whole front end. I am think incline, maybe some brake pressure during a pull etc.... let me know what you would do to be satisfied with the result. thx. I have family in all weekend but may be able to do early next week and post back.

My suggestion is to simulate stuck situations you may encounter while on the trail. I'd do a build up approach from minimal to large stress/load and verify structure integrity after each test. Incline with brake pressure applied is a good idea. Another suggestion is incline with a obstacle such as a log, concrete block or similar obstacles pin against one of the front tires.

 

[kevinpt]

looks really cool for home made. i have a cbi front hitch on my truck and it uses one more mounting point then you have.

im one for having things over built so to me the more bolts the better

 

[stickw]

Overbuilt

Wow. Thx for the cbi pic. Honestly, didn't even notice the threaded frame section right there. I 100% agree the more connections the better..... I have to show that pic to my welder to see if we can easily "halfway" fix it.

Just an update, I ordered a black failrlead, didn't like the chrome on the front. It comes in tomorrow and I will throw on and get to testing and report back. We are on the same page for the ideas.

 

[stickw]

Winch mount tested

Alright,

Found time to test the setup tonight. Started light and progressed with more and more brake pressure. also put a 10 inch tall log in front of the wheels. It handled all of this extremely easy. After i built some confidence up i pretty much laid on the brakes and it drug me through the grass. It was really bogging the winch down pretty good which was the point. Mount held up great with no bad sounds or damage. This is not an extremely conclusive test, but for what I hope when I need I am satisfied.

Other report. I have bilstein 5100 all the way up and daystar spacer in rear. was happy with this setup until the extra weight on the front. between the second battery setup and the winch with plate. i know have about 1.75 inches of rake. I will be putting on coilovers in the front to "look right" again. More importantly, the front has gotten really soft. Not great for off road. Peace

 

[Davy180]

Have you done any more testing on your wench setup?