Feet Foward!!

[99wj]

I've heard some talk lately of people saying they have their winch mounted with the mounting points facing forward ("feet forward"), instead of down (normal configuration), and running the line out through the bottom of the winch. I've never heard of this, but it kinda seemed like it would be a little stronger than the normal configuration. Does anyone here do that, is it better/worse? I'm interested.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

IIRC, that's how my ARB bumper is set up.

 

[BIGdaddy]

IIRC, that's how my ARB bumper is set up.

yup, certain arb bumpers mount their winches that way, and I think the 8724 winch from warn "only" mounts that way.

it puts equal strain on the whole case and each foot, rather than most of the strain on hardware holding the winch to the plate (as in the foot down setup)

Is this a big issue? no.

Ton's of trucks have been recovered with the feet down setup.

Maybe if you're a Tata or Man truck being recovered, where the strain involved is absolutely taking the equipment to the edges of their working limits, then yeah, case/mounting strength would probably come into play.

my .02...

 

[Antichrist]

There are a number of winches that mount like that. Two examples that I have are the Warn 8274 and the Ramsey RE10000 (the entire RE line is like that).
It makes sense, since the only purpose of the mounting bolts then is to keep the winch from sliding around our bouncing out when you're driving.

 

[BorntoVenture]

My Smittybuilt in the ARB bumper is mounted "feet forward" also. The winch stated either option was acceptable but feet forward was recommended.

 

[dms1]

My 85 4Runner TJM Bumper and Warn M8000 winch are set the way you describe.

 

[99wj]

so does ARB offer both mounting configurations on their bumpers, or just on select ARB bumpers?

 

[BIGdaddy]

so does ARB offer both mounting configurations on their bumpers, or just on select ARB bumpers?

yeah, I think its something they do on an, "as possible" basis. I'm sure they know that its an optimal mounting position, but as with anything, they may not want to trade excess overhang for a feet forward position on some models of bumper.

I know a feet forward position was standard on the bumper for my 87 4runner, just like the person above. I wasn't ever offered an option otherwise.

 

[jcbrandon]

The OEM winch in the Dodge Power Wagon is mounted feet forward:

 

[I Leak Oil]

I think the bottom line is most non-integrated planetary winches can be made to mount feet forward. They are also designed and rated to mount feet down so there is no real strength advantage inherent in the mounting orientation. With that said, I would think most winching failures come from the mount or what that mount is connected to rather than the winch itself.

 

[Abel Villesca]

IIRC, that's how my ARB bumper is set up.

That's the way I've got my ARB bumper with Superwinch set up.