DEFENDERBEAM
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Cool, thanks for the info.
I bet you could still mount it in a JKU, but it just wouldn't take up the space right behind the rear seats, which might not be that bad?
2015 Jeep JKUR - Daily Driver / Family Camp-mobile BUILD
- Thread starter DEFENDERBEAM
- Start date
Cool, thanks for the info.
I bet you could still mount it in a JKU, but it just wouldn't take up the space right behind the rear seats, which might not be that bad?
blackdmax15
Observer
Thanks for checking for me and thanks DEFENDERBEAM also. I guess the 50qt will be 12-13 pounds lighter too. All the weight adds up after a while. My other travel vehicle is a Yukon XL, so space is not a problem in that...
This IS in the back of a JK Unlimited. Bestop does not make a kit - I modified their 2-door kit.
DEFENDERBEAM
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DEFENDERBEAM
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couple pictures of the giant fridge secured in the back. I got the ARB tie down kit. Rather than permanatly fix the ARB strap mounts, I picked up a few small stainless links. Connected to the factory jeep ties bolted to the floor. Seems good enough. without having a lower drawer system and a fridge slider, the access to open the fridge stuck in this place is doable.
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DEFENDERBEAM
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Short drum winch for concealed installation
Picked up a new device to play around with.
Superwinch Rock 98.
I wanted a hidden style of winch installation, so I opted for this slightly smaller type of winch.
I am sure there are situations that even with a winch line extension, it would be better to still have a longer than 50' line, BUT I still like the slightly lighter weight and hopefully easier concealed installation vs. a typical winch of this rating. and in some cases more weight on the front tip will help, but I just like the simplicity and compactness. I kinda wanted the warn short drum version, but I could not justify the cost difference between the warn and the superwinch.
I got it for a little less than $850 including tax/shipping. I couldn't find the warn for less than $1,400. I have to assume the warn must be far better? or are they just crazy? their 9.0rc does seem to be smaller than this superwinch, and I liked the black rope better than blue. I couldn't find a whole lot of good or bad about either of these units, so we shall see…….
I am waiting on a new bumper before I throw it in. I was originally going to use the stock bumper, but since changed my mind. I am also replacing the rear bumper. The hard rock package still seems like a good deal, as I can sell these parts and get most of the $3K premium I paid back. That also includes the stock wheels and hood. I might keep the side step rails.
Picked up a new device to play around with.
Superwinch Rock 98.
I wanted a hidden style of winch installation, so I opted for this slightly smaller type of winch.
I am sure there are situations that even with a winch line extension, it would be better to still have a longer than 50' line, BUT I still like the slightly lighter weight and hopefully easier concealed installation vs. a typical winch of this rating. and in some cases more weight on the front tip will help, but I just like the simplicity and compactness. I kinda wanted the warn short drum version, but I could not justify the cost difference between the warn and the superwinch.
I got it for a little less than $850 including tax/shipping. I couldn't find the warn for less than $1,400. I have to assume the warn must be far better? or are they just crazy? their 9.0rc does seem to be smaller than this superwinch, and I liked the black rope better than blue. I couldn't find a whole lot of good or bad about either of these units, so we shall see…….
I am waiting on a new bumper before I throw it in. I was originally going to use the stock bumper, but since changed my mind. I am also replacing the rear bumper. The hard rock package still seems like a good deal, as I can sell these parts and get most of the $3K premium I paid back. That also includes the stock wheels and hood. I might keep the side step rails.
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unkamonkey
Explorer
You can never have too much line on the winch. I've been dragging people out for years. I'm up to 180' on my Konig pto mounted on my CJ3B. It's rated at 8,000 lbs. Thats about when you are pulling the back of the Jeep off.
Snatch blocks, Tree straps, tow straps, chains, cables. We have needed them all a few times.
3B doesn't worry abount the weight, In fact, I've removed a leaf on each side in the front.
Snatch blocks, Tree straps, tow straps, chains, cables. We have needed them all a few times.
3B doesn't worry abount the weight, In fact, I've removed a leaf on each side in the front.
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DEFENDERBEAM
strategic command
PTO's are pretty cool.
The theory on the short rope is you're always pulling in the power zone. I'm sure you may have to re-rig the pull a couple time in certain situations.
Another side factor is that it is cheaper to replace a 50' rope than 100'. Since the synthetic seem to be less sturdy to abrasion than wire.
unkamonkey
Explorer
Winches are usually rated at the first wrap on the drum, at least the electric ones are. The PTO doesn't seem to care how many wraps are on the drum. I've had all of the cable out and pulled until it was all wound in. It didn't care. The only issue was getting the cable to lay in an orderly manner.
Line breakage, don't let your cable or rope drag across a rock. Find a handy log to run the line over or use a snatch block to a tree. I have never broken a cable while winching anybody out. Um, well, remember to disenge the PTO box when you are done. I have broken the cable a few times because of that. Oh yeah, there is a dog clutch up here on the winch too. I drive with everything disengaged.
Winches are powerful critters, be careful around them.
Line breakage, don't let your cable or rope drag across a rock. Find a handy log to run the line over or use a snatch block to a tree. I have never broken a cable while winching anybody out. Um, well, remember to disenge the PTO box when you are done. I have broken the cable a few times because of that. Oh yeah, there is a dog clutch up here on the winch too. I drive with everything disengaged.
Winches are powerful critters, be careful around them.
jscusmcvet
Explorer
Will be interested to hear your impressions of the winch, both build quality and then once you get the chance to use in the field.
DEFENDERBEAM
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AEV Rear Bumper
Picked up an AEV rear bumper and tire carrier. The carrier is not an immediate need since I am still stock for a while. So, I only installed the bumper for now.
Was able to remove existing bumper and install AEV pretty much solo. My wife helped when I had to finagle the tire carrier mount side water tank. Now that I know what the heck I'm doing I could do it solo if I had to do it again.
Picked up an AEV rear bumper and tire carrier. The carrier is not an immediate need since I am still stock for a while. So, I only installed the bumper for now.
Was able to remove existing bumper and install AEV pretty much solo. My wife helped when I had to finagle the tire carrier mount side water tank. Now that I know what the heck I'm doing I could do it solo if I had to do it again.
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DEFENDERBEAM
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AEV Front Bumper with Winch
Got an AEV front bumper as well. Used the AEV winch mount too. I have the front skid plate but am waiting to install it until the winch scenario is 100% complete.
I had to drill (4) new mounting holes to center the smaller hole pattern of this winch.
I didn't need to cut the old vacuum pump mount, but I ended up cutting it to fit the solenoid.
I removed the solenoid from the winch for remote mount. I removed the solenoid from the plastic weather housing since it will be inside the bumper.
I chopped down the metal mounting chassis and drilled a hole in one side to mount into the winch plate.
Then I drilled a hole in the AEV plate to secure the solenoid. I painted everything after it was drilled or cut.
The remote solenoid mount kit came with cables that work, but are just slightly too short for optimum cable routing.
The winch fit well within the bumper.
Same thing on this one, pretty much solo except when I bolted the first couple connections of the main bumper unit, my wife helped.
I now need longer cables, between the winch and solenoid. Then complete the wiring and controller plug mount. I will have to remove the main part of the bumper one more time to finish up the winch since I ran out of time. Had to get it closed up and drivable.
I left the stock fog lights in the bumper I removed, as I got some LED baja designs fogs to go in this bumper. Ran out of time for those as well. No fog lighting for a few days I guess.
Got an AEV front bumper as well. Used the AEV winch mount too. I have the front skid plate but am waiting to install it until the winch scenario is 100% complete.
I had to drill (4) new mounting holes to center the smaller hole pattern of this winch.
I didn't need to cut the old vacuum pump mount, but I ended up cutting it to fit the solenoid.
I removed the solenoid from the winch for remote mount. I removed the solenoid from the plastic weather housing since it will be inside the bumper.
I chopped down the metal mounting chassis and drilled a hole in one side to mount into the winch plate.
Then I drilled a hole in the AEV plate to secure the solenoid. I painted everything after it was drilled or cut.
The remote solenoid mount kit came with cables that work, but are just slightly too short for optimum cable routing.
The winch fit well within the bumper.
Same thing on this one, pretty much solo except when I bolted the first couple connections of the main bumper unit, my wife helped.
I now need longer cables, between the winch and solenoid. Then complete the wiring and controller plug mount. I will have to remove the main part of the bumper one more time to finish up the winch since I ran out of time. Had to get it closed up and drivable.
I left the stock fog lights in the bumper I removed, as I got some LED baja designs fogs to go in this bumper. Ran out of time for those as well. No fog lighting for a few days I guess.
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DEFENDERBEAM
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Installed Mopar hood lock and locking gas cap (keyed alike ignition).
The hood lock required a $19 rivet tool from harbor freight, and took about 10 min. to throw in. Total with tool was about $125. Don't over-pay.
The gas cap cost an extra $30 for the locksmith to key it the same as my ignition. The cap was less than $40 on fleabay. The cheaper keyed mopar cap does not use the same type of key as the door/ignition.
Both mopar items cost a bit more than other alternative options, but to me it's worth it to minimize the amount of different keys.
Still working on finishing up the winch. I am waiting on a custom fairlead. The blue superwinch one was a little too fancy for me.
Hardly anybody is selling an off-the-shelf short drum winch fairlead with 10" mount hole spacing. Even the Warn one is fancy and chromed out, aside from the price!
The the drum release is very easily accessible with the non-winch cover plate installed.
As you can see I way over cut the plastic chassis rail cover. I picked up a clean used one from fleabay for $20 including shipping. I'll be able to cut it perfect with my jacked up template.
I plan to also add some custom plastic baffles to further protect the solenoid.
Also good to know I can easily remove the grill with the bumper and winch installed.
By the way……… I am selling my stock bumper set with front skid plate. Listed here in the parts for sale section, and on craigslist locally.
The hood lock required a $19 rivet tool from harbor freight, and took about 10 min. to throw in. Total with tool was about $125. Don't over-pay.
The gas cap cost an extra $30 for the locksmith to key it the same as my ignition. The cap was less than $40 on fleabay. The cheaper keyed mopar cap does not use the same type of key as the door/ignition.
Both mopar items cost a bit more than other alternative options, but to me it's worth it to minimize the amount of different keys.
Still working on finishing up the winch. I am waiting on a custom fairlead. The blue superwinch one was a little too fancy for me.
Hardly anybody is selling an off-the-shelf short drum winch fairlead with 10" mount hole spacing. Even the Warn one is fancy and chromed out, aside from the price!
The the drum release is very easily accessible with the non-winch cover plate installed.
As you can see I way over cut the plastic chassis rail cover. I picked up a clean used one from fleabay for $20 including shipping. I'll be able to cut it perfect with my jacked up template.
I plan to also add some custom plastic baffles to further protect the solenoid.
Also good to know I can easily remove the grill with the bumper and winch installed.
By the way……… I am selling my stock bumper set with front skid plate. Listed here in the parts for sale section, and on craigslist locally.
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Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Very clean installs!
Definitely like how well hidden your winch is.
Really nice work on all your installs.
Scott
Definitely like how well hidden your winch is.
Really nice work on all your installs.
Scott
DEFENDERBEAM
strategic command
Definitely like how well hidden your winch is.
Really nice work on all your installs.
Scott
Thanks man.
maybe I'll see you around one of these days.
i'm Northern California as well.