Terra Firma Discrete Winch Mount on 2003 Disco

[acg]

We recently completed the installation of CDL on wifey's 2003 Disco. I used it for the occasional light off-roading during the weekend. However, the Disco is her primary vehicle for ferrying the kids around and she does not want it looking too off-roady. Hence, the discrete winch idea.

I am looking at using the Terra Firma discrete winch mount:
http://www.terrafirma4x4.com/product_detail.php?prod=TF078&grp=175

I plan to keep the factory bumper grille (see pic). My research tells me the need to cut a hole in the center part of the bumper to accommodate the winch behind the bumper.

Has anyone attempted this installation? What type of winch works well for this set-up? Any other tips or guidance will be much appreciated!

 

[slangel]

We recently completed the installation of CDL on wifey's 2003 Disco. I used it for the occasional light off-roading during the weekend. However, the Disco is her primary vehicle for ferrying the kids around and she does not want it looking too off-roady. Hence, the discrete winch idea.

I am looking at using the Terra Firma discrete winch mount:
http://www.terrafirma4x4.com/product_detail.php?prod=TF078&grp=175

I plan to keep the factory bumper grille (see pic). My research tells me the need to cut a hole in the center part of the bumper to accommodate the winch behind the bumper.

Has anyone attempted this installation? What type of winch works well for this set-up? Any other tips or guidance will be much appreciated!

I didn't use the Terra Firma, I know someone who did a discreet mount with another brand bumper and we had to cut part of the grill for it. My Disco is my mom wagon as well. She shouldn't care, the envious looks I get from minivan driving dads is priceless. Mine is lifted a couple inches, off road tires, RTE bumper, skid, SG below. I did take my winch off and toss it in the garage a little while back. Plus my kids think it kicks ass and get super pissed when their friends call it a Jeep.

 

[DiscoPhoto]

To be honest, I think you'd be better of with an external G4 style winch tray. I know it doesn't look glorious, but seeing the drum is so important for winching, both in use and storage.

 

[Disco_Stu]

I used a discreet winch mount on my DII, the one I get was from DAP. Mine was on a 2000 and I was able to cut away only a small section of the plastic and it worked with a roller fairlead. For me it was a great way to mount, without a lot of extra weight, and without reduced approach angle. I probably only had to use the winch 10 or so times over the years, and I would reset the line when I get home. I used it with a WARN XD9000 series winch.

On a seperate note, would one of these work on a DI? I know that brush guards and bumpers seem to work on both, how about this?

-Stuart