Ok I'm brain storming my winch bumper design in my head and I've narrowed it down to 2. Both have the same basic design. The "frame" extensions and winch plate will be 1/4 flat bar. The difference is the whole body of 1 will be made out of 3/16 flat stock and the other will be primarily 4X4X3/16 that I will split in half to make up the body then for the top plate I'll put 1/8 diamond plate. The 1/8 diamond will mainly be for cosmetic appearance and maybe a step every now and then. This decision is just a matter of preference that I need to figure out.

I do have a question though. I've seen everyone mount their winch horizontal but never vertical. Is it ok to mount it vertical? I'd prefer to mount it vertical as it will shave some inches off the length it sticks out beyond the grill.

Now before anyone goes bustin my chops about this being in fab and not tech...patience! LOL! I'll be starting the built in this thread in the next week. Thanks!

 

Anyone...? Also...take a look at the photo of the XRC8 winch below. Can someone give me a measurement from the mounting surface to the highest part of the winch frame NOT to include the clutch lever height which shows 8.1? I see that the width of the winch frame is 6.3 but I'm looking for the height of it. Thanks again!

 

I'm not sure how mounting it vertical will save to inches. I'm not even sure how you would mount it. Maybe it's late but i can't picture the outcome of what you're saying.

 

By mounting it vertical I think I'll be able to tuck it a little further under the grill because then I won't have to factor in the height of the clutch lever. I'm mainly just wanting to know if it's possible/safe to mount it vertical or not. I've never seen anyone do it before.

 

I've never seen a vertical mount. It sounds like you'd be making yourself more work by doing that, if it would even work. Either way, you're only talking about 8", which isn't really that much. My advice is to call smittybilt and ask them about the idea. They'd probably be able to tell you.

 

Yeah I'll just call em and see. All I need now is that measurement. I'll get that when I call em too. If I can get what I need then I don't have to wait for the winch to come in to be able to start on the bumper. Stay tuned! What I've got planned I've never seen anyone do before.

 

Doesn't belong in the fab section

 

its been done. here are some ideas for ya.


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=634104

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=628608

 

read the last sentence in his first post.

 

Wow that's some crazy fab work!!!

 

Thank you!!!

 

Ok I ordered my winch today and it should be in Tuesday! I went with the Rough Country 9500. I know they just came out but for the same price as a Smittybilt I got an additional 1500 lbs of pull. I'll let y'all know how I like it. Don't wait too long for my response cuz I'm not a hardcore wheeler that'll be pulling line often. I wanted it mainly for the "what if" scenario.

I also stopped by and picked up the materials for the bumper. 1-10 ft section of 6"X1/4" flat bar for the "frame" brackets and winch mounting. 1-10 ft section of 6"X3/16" flat bar for the front section and gussets. And a 4'X8'X1/8" flat plate for the top and other misc stuff. All these materials only set me back $160...not bad!!

 

Don't know how valuable your gril is but I've seen guys recess the winch into thier grill for better clearance and I've also seen them strenghten thier front cross member and hide it under the engine. Looks alot like the Power Wagon, hidden and whatnot.

 

I'd prefer not to chop into the grill. I've seen the ones where they tuck it under the engine but that's not what I'm aiming for. My goal is to keep it out of the elements as much as possible. The top will have a cover plate with hood pins holding it in place and the bottom will have a few drain holes.

 

Warn Winch Cover?