Winch bumper

[Yannick]

Started on the winch bumper today, 3/8 plate center section and 2"x 4"x 3/16 rectangular tubing. Not Done yet but here are some pics.

















next stage will be bracing below center of bumper, add some tubing and some kind of bolt on/pivot onto the rails.

[Haf-e]

One issue to consider- i think you planned on connecting the bunper to.the side rails- thats not a good idea as the body tub is rubber mounted while the front bumper is hard mounted to the drivetrain.

I always thought of making a front windshield roll.bar hoop which was attached to the body that would be connected to the rub rails with the bumper separate.

[krick3tt]

It looks as though you have left the pin accessible. That's a good thing for many reasons.
Good looking build.

[Andre]

The pin looks accessible but the winch is to close to the grill to use one if I'm not mistaken.

[krick3tt]

When I installed the bumper from EI with winch the pin could not be used as it would not turn to be released.
I filed off the tab so the pin would lift straight up so I could use it for a tow point.

[Yannick]

I'm leaving the pin opening accessible for future but cannot use pin, wanted winch as tight and low as possible! I haven't decide as to how I'm gonna connect to rails but I'll probably use some kind of urethane bushing something... whatever's laying round the shop!
The Winch is a new in the box Smitty built x2o 8000 12v (made in China) which was given to me by a friend who worked at 4wheelparts , so I cant complain!

[edzz]

how are you going to supply 12v power? you know center taping the 24v pack is a very bad idea.

[Yannick]

how are you going to supply 12v power? you know center taping the 24v pack is a very bad idea.

I'm full of bad ideas but thanks! It's what i have for now and the bolt pattern is standard so good mock up at the very least.
On the other hand we'll see how tough this Chinese winch is... I'm not scared

[Andre]

instead of cutting the locking pin off the stock one, I make a new pin with the same locking pin but a smaller hoop handle to use while the winch is in place.

As far as 12v goes, he can always pack an independent battery for winching and accessories for a while.

[edzz]

how are you going to supply 12v power? you know center taping the 24v pack is a very bad idea.

I'm full of bad ideas but thanks! It's what i have for now and the bolt pattern is standard so good mock up at the very least.
On the other hand we'll see how tough this Chinese winch is... I'm not scared

you will kill batteries

[Yannick]

how are you going to supply 12v power? you know center taping the 24v pack is a very bad idea.

I'm full of bad ideas but thanks! It's what i have for now and the bolt pattern is standard so good mock up at the very least.
On the other hand we'll see how tough this Chinese winch is... I'm not scared

you will kill batteries

Gotcha, and i do appreciate it!!

[waterdog]

One fully charged battery , is ok for a couple of test pulling, but not when you're in deep sh#t!!!!

[4x4Pinz]

the fascination with the front pin just amazes me to no end. Most of the quality front bumpers made for the pinz have some sort of tie off point. EI's has "D" rings, Tim's has the standard 1 1/8" holes for shackles (which you should use even if you use the front pin, Andre has done both the "D" ring and the holes for the shackle. Working around the pin simply makes the bumpers weaker in the overall scheme of things. As we don't daisy chain these trucks with the tow bars (like the mogs have) there is just no need to sacrifice the integrity of the bumper to access something that is not useful after the installation of a quality bumper.

[krick3tt]

No D rings on mine and as for the weakness of the front bumper...almost anything, including laminated 1x2's would be stronger than the original.
Have you taken a look at the rear of the vehicle for structural integrity lately? These things are not made for the type of driving and collisions that
are common on todays highways.
I'll take my pin modifications..Been towed up a 4 foot shelf by a Mog and did just fine.

Happy trails

[mopar]

One fully charged battery , is ok for a couple of test pulling, but not when you're in deep sh#t!!!!

Well When my first 712 was stuck in the middle of nowhere a receiver mount winch off of craigslist and walmart 12V deep cycle marine battery saved me was able to winch truck out and then drive it back out of nowhere with no clutch. Not ideal but definitely doable and worth having rather than nothing.