DII Winch Bumper...options and opinions

[yloDiscoii]

Hello All,

A winch/winch bumper were originally outside of the realm of possibilities for my rig, but things have since changed for the better, and I am now in the market for a winch and bumper.

I have MD OME coils all around, so I am curious as to what I'll be able to handle in the bumper department? I've been researching for some time, and right now ARB is top of my list, with the Rovertym wide-face as a close 2nd, but I'm not sure my MD coils will be able to handle the extra weight?

What say you? Are there any other good looking bumper options out there that are around-under $1000? I've been scouring Craiglist for a while for something used, and turned up with nothing.

Thanks in advance for your expertise!

-Rob

 

[MatthewThompson]

DAP hidden mount unless you plan on using it all the time.

 

[AxeAngel]

I've run the DAP, currently running L8 and ARB on both of my D2s.

What is your intended usage? What types of trails do you run? Do you need a winch or just a bumper with recovery points?

Yes - you will likely need to upgrade springs if you go for a heavy bumper or a heavy bumper and winch

-Sam

 

[justaddmtns]

Hard Labor Creek Can make you anything you want. I don't recommend much, but their work is amazing.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/57205-HLC-Fabrications?highlight=hard+labor+creek

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hard-Labor-Creek-Fabrication/246787764223
http://www.hlcfab.com/products.php

 

[Mg-rover1]

Check out Tactical Rovers

 

[Rovertrader]

if you are trying to keep weight down to prevent changing springs, I have one last NIB LR winch tray w/ A bar- old type all metal.

 

[lwg]

As everyone else pointed out you have many options for sure. One thing is certain though, the MD front springs will likely sag with the addition of 100-200+ lbs up there. This leaves you with essentially two options, replace the springs with those rated at the extra capacity or install 1/2" - 1" spacers under the springs to lift things back up.

 

[yloDiscoii]

if you are trying to keep weight down to prevent changing springs, I have one last NIB LR winch tray w/ A bar- old type all metal.

As in one like the one on the TREK in the picture??? If so I would be VERY interested.

Thank you everyone so far for your help!

 

[yloDiscoii]

As everyone else pointed out you have many options for sure. One thing is certain though, the MD front springs will likely sag with the addition of 100-200+ lbs up there. This leaves you with essentially two options, replace the springs with those rated at the extra capacity or install 1/2" - 1" spacers under the springs to lift things back up.

Thanks Larry, since my springs are essentially new, I'd like to avoid ditching them...especially after spending the better part of an hour trying to get those lower shock bolts lined up during install!

 

[dcarr1971]

As in one like the one on the TREK in the picture??? If so I would be VERY interested.

Thank you everyone so far for your help!

One of my friends caught one of these on eBay dirt cheap (he was just lucky, and the seller didn't know what they had), it's installed on his D1, and it's very sturdy. IMO, the biggest concern is probably how far it sticks out...

 

[yloDiscoii]

Agreed Dave, that would be appear to be it's biggest downside, but I don't do anything too extreme so I think this would work for my application, especially with weight being an issue on my MD springs.

To answer the "intended usage" questions above, "Mild to Moderate" is what I would rate the trails I have done to this point. I feel that with the ability to "self-recover" would allow me be more adventurous in my travels.

(swap of the T-Case to a lock-capable one will be in the near future as well)

 

[Rovertrader]

yes, mine is near or actually identical, and bear in mind it worked fine for the TReK trucks at stock height, so mild to moderate trails not an issue. Also, what year D-II? The CDL nipple is there on '99,'00, and early '01s- just add linkage from a D-I or go the Ashcroft kit (love mine). Low and locked makes a stable wheeler

 

[yloDiscoii]

yes, mine is near or actually identical, and bear in mind it worked fine for the TReK trucks at stock height, so mild to moderate trails not an issue. Also, what year D-II? The CDL nipple is there on '99,'00, and early '01s- just add linkage from a D-I or go the Ashcroft kit (love mine). Low and locked makes a stable wheeler

Yeah it'll work great for my application and my intended usage. Looking forward to it!

I've got an '02 Kalahari, so unless there was some fluke in the production or an exception made by the "Special Vehicles" folks, I am sans CDL capability without swapping the output shafts, adding linkages, and such.

Cost-wise it seems to make more sense to get a used T-Case, do a full service it while it's out of the truck, add the linkage, and install, then sell the old T-case to make some money back.

 

[AxeAngel]

Installing the front output shaft is a single person project. Not terrible fun but not bad either. If you decide to go this route, let me know and I can help walk you through the steps. Other then for some shaving off of some metal on the transmission housing its a straight bolt on procedure.

Hardest part was freeing up the crossmembers(breaking the bolts) and then wiggling out the old shaft.
Hopefully your exhaust manifold studs are compliant

-Sam

 

[yloDiscoii]

Installing the front output shaft is a single person project. Not terrible fun but not bad either. If you decide to go this route, let me know and I can help walk you through the steps.....

Good to know, I appreciate the input and I'll keep you in mind when I get the $$ and 'cahones' to tackle that project