Winch with Stock Bumper!

[geohil]

Per side when I'm done I should have one grade 8 bolt in the welded end-cap with a welded and gusseted stand-up on the winch tray. One grade 8 bolt from the side, like yours. The small grade 8 bolt into the frame body mount gusset (pictured). Lastly, the two grade 8 bolts that hold the tow hooks will pass through a welded extension to the winch channel.

I'm really trying to avoid a permanent mount so I can still disassemble the front clip when I do timing belt and water pump. You think this still leaves weakness?

 

[jmildoc]

I put atleast two 1/2'' welds top and bottom that i could grind off if needed. I can jump up and down on mine, i have pulled out full size trucks, trees, myself. never moved even a little. I am confident in the set up.

The valance has to be cut away just about all the way.

 

[geohil]

I'll update then process later but here is the finished product. I did end up welding to the frame too.

 

[geohil]

The oil is from me switching out the trans cooler....

Ended up with 8 - grade 8 5/8 inch bolts plus a 1 inch weld on the trailing arm of the plate to hold it. It's over-kill really but I like the looks.

 

[atalarico]

So, lucky me, a metal smith friend, who also happens to enjoy wrenching, really wants me to do this to my Runner. I'm taking the bait, especially with the memory of the $550 backcountry towing bill from last year still very fresh in my head.

My one big question is, if we're going to follow your lead, do we have to go with that exact winch? I've never owned or even used a winch, but we're just curious about fit, etc. I've found the X20 8 w/ synthetic line for about $549 on Amazon. Just curious if that's a good price, because otherwise it seems that people like this winch a lot here.

Can't believe I'm doing this. Woot!

 

[atalarico]

Gotta bring this thread back to life...
My turn!
Not done yet but here is my start.
Started with stock - added Badland winch plate. Cut tabs and mounted with 4 grade 8 bolts. Tomorrow I'm welding the end caps and a 90 degree to the plate. Also trying to fit the Piaa's. This took me 4 slow hours and I feel like I should be done. Enjoy

That looks awesome. Which PIAA's are those? I'm thinking of doing similar, but I don't have a great budget for the lights.

 

[geohil]

That looks awesome. Which PIAA's are those? I'm thinking of doing similar, but I don't have a great budget for the lights.

Those are an older pair of Piaa 520's. They fit like a glove in there, but you could get away with any 6" light probably.

For approach angle switch to a Hawyse fairlead as well.

 

[jmildoc]

I am not sure if you have to use that exact winch. I know that I will be switching mine out soon for one with synthetic line and it's a little different than my current one. When are you planning on doing this?

 

[jmildoc]

Oh by the way. The hawse lead looks nice. I just snap a plate on with mag light holders riveted to it to the current fairlead on mine. Here is a pic from the weekend on my own personal trails.

 

[geohil]

Oh by the way. The hawse lead looks nice. I just snap a plate on with mag light holders riveted to it to the current fairlead on mine. Here is a pic from the weekend on my own personal trails.

That looks great! I've been running without a front plate...which is a no-no in my state so I'll have to add something like that too.
The X20 is a bit bigger than the XRC8 so you might have to do some more "persuading" to tuck it in there. If I had to do it over I would go with the XRC 9.5k. Synthetic rope and a bit more tug than my 8k.

 

[jmildoc]

Funny you mention that. I just put one if those on order. 4wheel parts said they were 3-4 weeks out on production.

 

[geohil]

Funny you mention that. I just put one if those on order. 4wheel parts said they were 3-4 weeks out on production.

You will have to let me know what you think of it and how it fits once you have it??? Very curious.
One of the guys from my local wheeling club has started selling Comeup winches. He thinks this is a killer product:
Amazon.com: Comeup 299372 (Seal 9.5i) 12V Winch: Automotive
I want to see if it can be broken down enough to fit behind the stock bumper as well. Realistically my XRC8 is still in fine shape so I'm probably a couple years out from swapping winches. May just switch it over to synthetic and call it good.

 

[jmildoc]

I will post pics in here and in my build thread as soon as I get it installed for sure!

I know that it will look cleaner for sure with the synthetic line and the hawse fairlead instead of the roller one.

 

[Brad_Leroy]

You made my day!

Been looking for a reasonable winch mount for my 96 - this is it! Winch arrives next week (HF Badlands 12000) with the mounting plate. Can't wait to get after it. Thanks for the great post and great pics!

 

[jmildoc]

Been looking for a reasonable winch mount for my 96 - this is it! Winch arrives next week (HF Badlands 12000) with the mounting plate. Can't wait to get after it. Thanks for the great post and great pics!

I sure am glad to see that this is still helping people to this day. I have since moved onto a Tundra that I have lifted and put 20's and 35's on I do miss my 4runner sometimes cause i could just run through the woods with it if i wanted. I had a Honda Pioneer 1000-5 for a little while as my 4runner replacement but sold it cause we didnt use it much. Now however I got back into a very capable suv and got my wife a 2016 Lexus GX460, not sure if we will take it into the woods just yet however we do have many plans for it in the future. look forward to seeing that badlands 12000 mounted up.

 

[Brad_Leroy]

look forward to seeing that badlands 12000 mounted up.

Winch just arrived with FedEx. Maybe next week, but fixing A/C is top priority for the moment.

 

[fastfeeet]

Installed hf 12000 lb today

Looks like the hf 12000 lb will fit also

 

[3bears]

yes this is an old thread, but love the idea...
I dont weld, dont have a "friend" who does. always relied on other family that did but are now miles away ( Im in Alaska, they in Oregon)
wish there was some kind of kit that I could bolt on, or do most of it and then take to have someone do minimal needed welding. Been looking at a smitty 9500...or maybe different...but im on a budget

any ideas ?
Dont want to spend 400 labor someplace..

could also do a hitch mount with a cradle as long as it did not hang lower. one advantage would be to be able to move it to the back if needed or take to another vehicle...so like maybe have the stinger stick out the lower valance ?

 

[3bears]

kind of answering my own question. seems bodean123 recently did this too in his post....what did you do to your 4runner today.

for those that dont want to add a new bumper, this looks like a nice option and a clean look

 

[Jtico]

I did mine last summer...