mounting a winch

[geeves]

Im just in the process of buying a winch for my wagon at long last.
Has anyone mounted a winch inside the std bumper on a 2.8 bighorn and what needs to be done to strengthen everything to suit.
Winch is a 8000lb Ramsey 2nd hand and reasonable price

[peter]

Hey Alan

I have a 8000lb that I mounted on the front of my 89 R. It wasn't to stressful, but unfortunately it doesn't fit behind the bumper (I had to cut the center out).

I used a 6mm steel plate welded between the existing bumper mounts, plus two angle struts from the mounting bolts on the base of the winch, back down to the front of the skid plate. I also added two extra bolts through the bumper mounts into the chassis (just for a bit of over-the-top-engineering/security).
The fairlead is mounted on another steel plate between the existing bullbar.

I have also remotely mounted the winches contactors under the bonnet, rather than being attached to the winch and open to the weather, water & mud. I would strongly recommend doing this.

The setup has served me well and (touch wood) has not failed or done any damage to the chassis.

If you need any more help, you're more than welcome to come around and have a look.

Cheers


Peter C

[geeves]

If I can come round with a camera that would be good Im trying to do this on the cheap but dont want the winch heading up a hill without me. If you can pm me a ph number ill giver you a ring tonite or tomorrow
alan