Gen 3 Winch Mount Tips and Pics?

[Offroadmuch]

So just some general questions on mounting a winch on a 2003 Gen 3 (3.5 if you want to be technical) but I think the frame/unibody is the same so I iust said Gen 3. So anyway, I will probably skip a new bumper to save cost. So with all of that said I will probably fab a mounting plate to hold the winch and fairlead and attach to the front "frame" bits. From other threads I have read and some pictures it looks like I can cut away the center area of the bumper/grill area (where the front plate notmally hangs) and have access to the necessary frame for bolting and or welding. If anyone has done this type of winch mount could you send any pictures that show the frame before and after mounting? Any difficulties or tips as I plan this. Anything that would help me plan the size and shape of the mounting plate? I did a search but unfortunately when you search for winch or bumper etc... You get about 1,000,000 hits. I looked through the first several pages but most of it was vague or unrelated.

Thanks-

 

[Toasty]

I'll look at mine tomorrow and tell you where to weld your winch plate and maybe even take pictures.

 

[Offroadmuch]

Very cool, thank you.

 

[SONICMASD]

I'll look at mine tomorrow and tell you where to weld your winch plate and maybe even take pictures.

Toasty's winch set up is the way to go, with the winch sitting low and in the factory location rather than up high on top of the bumper. I plan on copying his design as well.

 

[Toasty]

Montero's are different, the bumpers mount over the top of the frame unlike a Jeep or Chevy. So when you mount a winch to the bumper it has a huge amount of leverage over the frame, I've seen a few pull bumpers off of Montero's (watched one nearly pull off of a Gen 3 recently). The Gen 3 has it's frame built into the unibody, I think as long as you tie into the structural parts (not the IFS subframe) you'll be alright. Since you want to run the stock bumper you will need to install the fairlead to your winch mount (very easy)

 

[Offroadmuch]

That is great info. Mounting the fairlead should be no prob. my friend can weld and has a machine shop at home.

 

[Sabre]

I just installed a Superwinch Talon on my Gen III. I fabbed up a mounting plate that is very much like the one described, very beefy with lots of gussets that gets the winch down as low as possible. On the crossmember between the two front unibody crash points I cut off the standing seam and welded a flat plate to the sheet metal, lowering the mounting about 5/8". Since the Superwinch is quite tall, every little bit helped. There was no problem fitting it in, but it required a lot of measurement and trimming. I've kept the OEM front bumper (heavily trimmed for ground clearance) and wanted it to look as stock as possible. I did have to cut the top metal bumper reinforcement and cut a rectangular opening for the top of the winch, as well as cutting up a bit into the grill. Other than that, it just took a bunch of trimming of the inside of the bumper to fit the winch as well as cutting the opening for the fairlead. I clocked the freewheel handle 90 degrees forward so it pokes forward out one of the existing openings in the bumper. Since there's no easy way to move the connection for the handheld remote cable, I simply installed it and tucked it in a bag behind the driver's side headlight. I just pop the hood and pull it out when winching. If this turns out to bug me I'll install a remote quick disconnect for it but it's perfectly serviceable for now.

I'm leaving for a vacation in a few hours and haven't uploaded the pictures of the installation to my photo hosting site yet. I'll be doing that when I get back. I was really happy to be able to fit the winch that I wanted rather than relying on one that fit better (more completely hidden) but wasn't really the one that I wanted. I just happened on this waterproof Talon for a steal; it was either that or a Comeup, both of which have the high arch over the drum, making fitment a bit more complicated. But it was a fun project and I'm looking forward to actually using the thing!

Will post those pics soon.

 

[Offroadmuch]

Sabre, thank you. That is also good info. That reminds me that I need to trim some plastic front and rear also....

 

[kdj]

Check out monstero's posts here and pajeroclub.com.au. He has a really good post with lots of pic's.

 

[Monstero]

Here's a link to my build and install. Has held up well and gets used regularly still. Very pleased with it.

http://s65.photobucket.com/user/icysyrup22/library/Montero Pics/Winch Build

 

[Toasty]

Perfect example! Sorry I've been so slow to post up something help, Monstero has it right though.

 

[Offroadmuch]

Perfect and much appreciated. Looks like you got it on there pretty strong. Thanks for the pics.

 

[Sabre]

I've put up a thread detailing the installation of my Gen III's winch: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/162842-Sabre-s-Gen-III-Phase-3-Winch