winch question

I would build the bumper to fit the winch as opposed to a receiver mount. I'm not a fan of receiver mounted winches because they hang out so much further past your bumper, killing your approach angle.
 
I wouldn't leave it on all the time.
Since removing the bumper cover, it runs 15 deg cooler, building the winch bumper will result in me covering all that airfow again. I would rather run cooler if possible.
My original plan was to build it with the winch below the grill, but there is as much radiator below it as there is above it.
 
I run a hard mounted winch, but I think it would be nice to have one that you could move to the rear if you need to pull backwards. Run quick connnects front and rear and you could use it wherever.
 
transman731 said:
Since removing the bumper cover, it runs 15 deg cooler, building the winch bumper will result in me covering all that airfow again. I would rather run cooler if possible.
My original plan was to build it with the winch below the grill, but there is as much radiator below it as there is above it.
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I run a front ARB bumper on my ZJ, and it has holes cut in the bottom with "air rams" to direct air into the rad to help it run cooler. Just a thought when you start building your bumper.
 
The main issues I've seen with the universal mounts outside a "perfect world"...

- 50+% of the times you'll need to use it, you'll be too close to something (rock/tree/vehicle) to even get it in the receiver or in some ridiculous position/angle that will make it 10x harder

- Side loading the mount (tube/socket) doing side pulls/similar may be sketchy (bend/break something)

- While it looks good on paper, the first 2-3 times you haul that heavy SOB out (un-strap it from it's "riding" place, insert/plug it all up, use it, & put it back in the rear) will be all it takes before you're like "Screw dragging that thing out!"

With a hard mounted winch, the biggest "issue" will be the remote being unplugged (unless hardwired into the cab)

:beer:
 
up side down want hurt a thing just mount the solinoid pack so it isn't a water trap, as for the multi unit I've got a buddy who does this on a yota and loves it. He's extremely capable and rarely pulls cable for himself. As for the receiver worries. If the reciever want handle it then the bumper want either. I compare it to the structure as a whole. You certainly don't want any ridiculously long tray. Another plus is my same friend also has his trailer wired and a reciever on it to pull non running junk on it. Disconnect are easy to make up. We do alot of multi mount set ups for all kinds of locations on fire rescue units at work. Anybody can plan alittle ahead if the trail looks sketchy plug it in and be prepared.

Edit: our 8 and 9k stuff usually runs one reciever but we also build a few with duals to spread out the load. And in the fire dept. world their are more hands on deck to haul it around.

As for me I just run one front and rear.
 
I have been giving this some thought myself, as I would like to be able to run my winch on more than one vehicle. What I have been thinking about doing is building my bumpers so that the winch would slide into the bumper, instead of simply fabing a receiver hitch into the outside of the bumper. In turn, the part the winch mounts to would be built to look like the bumper, protect the winch and have carry handles on it.

I have been running a hard mounted warn 8700 (yes it is older than the 8274) directly in front of the grill on my CJ5 for years and have never had any cooling problems.
 
Caver Dave said:
While it looks good on paper, the first 2-3 times you haul that heavy SOB out (un-strap it from it's "riding" place, insert/plug it all up, use it, & put it back in the rear) will be all it takes before you're like "Screw dragging that thing out!"
Click to expand...

This has been my train of thought. Unless you have some sort of quick disconnect wiring solution, it would be a pain to swap it back and forth and get it wired up. Especially if you were in any type of water hazard when you got stuck.
 
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