| Author | Message | ||
     Kevin Haeberle (Kevinhaeb) New Member Username: Kevinhaeb Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2004 |
Ok...ok...I realize that I should have bought a winch bar to begin with, but I didn't think that I would find an 8000 pound winch for such a great price. I need to get some suggestions on what/where I need to re-enforce. I also think that the winch won't be able to withstand just being on top or something, so I definitely need to cut the middle out and lower it all. Please post some pics of a winch mount ARB if you have them, and let me know if you have any suggestions on what needs to be done. Thanks..Kevin | ||
| Shane Lesteberg (Snwbord24) Member Username: Snwbord24 Post Number: 153 Registered: 01-2004 |
there's a pic of one on my profile page. If you want more detailed pics I can take some this afternoon and email them to you. | ||
| Kevin Haeberle (Kevinhaeb) New Member Username: Kevinhaeb Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2004 |
yeah shane, If you happen to find the time. I would definitely appreciate the pictures up close and personal. Also, I hope the ARB's for the Disco 1 and Disco 2 are the same. I guess I should have mentioned that I have a 99 Disco1. thanks for the post! Also, if you would please send those to krhaeberle21@tntech.edu | ||
| Shane Lesteberg (Snwbord24) Member Username: Snwbord24 Post Number: 155 Registered: 01-2004 |
I think the main difference is the width of the frame, so the mounting is a little different. I think the bars are pretty much the same cosmetically. I'll be home around 3:30 cali time so I'll do it then. | ||
| Jaime Crusellas (Jaime) Senior Member Username: Jaime Post Number: 321 Registered: 05-2003 |
Kevin, I just converted my non winch ARB bar on my 97 disco to accept a winch. I made a bracket out of 6x1/4 inch steel plate. The sides are 3 inches tall, and it fits between the bumper frame rails. I cut the top of the bumper flush at the front, out to the frame rails, and back a little over 6 inches. I used the plate that I cut off the top of the bumper under the bottom of the bracket as additional support since I screwed up the mounting holes (they are oval because I had to slide the winch over to the side a bit for clearance). I wanted more than just washers around the bolt heads. I cut a slot in the front of the bumper for the cable. I positioned the roller fairlead and used it as a gauge to determine where the slot went. I mounted a Ramsey 8000 lb. winch, and it looks pretty good. I'll report back on whether it worked well or if my winch comes flying out of the bumper after my May 1st trip to the Pine Barrens!  This is my second welding project, and I have not had any instruction, but I did beat on the welds pretty hard with a 2 lb. hammer, and they held up just fine. Here's a top view of the bracket:  And here's an angle shot so you can see the side:  I'll take some shots of the winch mounted and post them later. Jaime | ||
| Kevin Haeberle (Kevinhaeb) New Member Username: Kevinhaeb Post Number: 7 Registered: 04-2004 |
Jaime, So basically what you did was: Bought thick steel, made a bracket/cradle for the winch to sit in, then you added support to the bottom of this bracket using the existing metal that you cut from the bumper. Mounted this bracket with four bolts to the frame rails? Then, just cut four holes in the bottom of the bracket. Sounds good to me! I was hoping it would be that easy, just hope it holds up. I'm gonna probably do mine this weekend. Did you just finish it, or just haven't gotten the chance to play with the winch? I appreciate the post and would like to see more pics if you have them. Did you use a saw or torch? Thanks..Kevin, You're a lifesaver!! | ||
| Jaime Crusellas (Jaime) Senior Member Username: Jaime Post Number: 322 Registered: 05-2003 |
Kevin, I just finished installing it this Saturday, so the first real use of the winch will be on May 1st. I won't have my digicam available until next week, so I can't post pictures of the finished installation until then. As far as cutting, I used a chop saw, but soon found out that my craftsman Sawzall clone with a couple of skil "ugly" blades (damn good blades!), was waaay better. To cut into the bumper, I drilled 4 1/8 inch holes close together in a line, then used a cutting wheel to cut a slot so I could get the saw blade in and started cutting. Depending on the shape of the front winch legs, you may have a clearance problem with the bolt heads for the fairlead. I just ground a bit of the winch leg, and problem solved. You may also find that you have to cut just forward of the mounting hole on the lower light tabs. I had to do that and drill new mounting holes. So my lights stick out a bit. You could prevent that if you mount the winch lower than 3 inches from the top. But then you have to make sure that the winch clutch in/out handle is within reach. Oh, and my bumper is the non-airbag version, it does not have the crush cans. The other issue is where to mount the front license plate. I currently have it below the fairlead, but that is too low. I'll have to take it off every time I go wheeling. So I'll have to figure out a better solution for that. | ||
| Shane Lesteberg (Snwbord24) Member Username: Snwbord24 Post Number: 167 Registered: 01-2004 |
http://68.49.112.94/arbre/index.htm look at the pics to get some ideas. He started with a winch bull bar but it may help some. |
