ARB bumper/ Warn M12k winch

[luk4mud]

OK, need some insight. Just got a (new to me) 97 FJ80, came with an ARB bumper. The only attachment points I see on the bumper are at the fairlead. While the winch has 4 bolt holes on the bottom, don't see any corresponding holes on the bumper.

Since I don't have any instructions for the bumper, what would be your suggestion:
-Just attach at the fairlead. Don't like this option myself does not seem sturdy enough.
-Drill 4 holes through the bumper that correspond to the winch mount points.
-Buy a mount plate. Is there such a thing? I thought the M12k was supposed to just "slide right in"?????

 

[petrolhog]

The winch does mount to the face plate of the bumper, where the fair lead bolts on to. Hope this helps. BTW, I'm running a 15K Warn.

 

[luk4mud]

The winch does mount to the face plate of the bumper, where the fair lead bolts on to. Hope this helps. BTW, I'm running a 15K Warn.

Thanks Petrol, Is that the only place it mounts? Are those 4 bolts enough on a 12k winch??? I have a 9.5k on my jeep bolted to the bumper and frame. The anchor points just seem a little "light" on the ARB TLC.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Congratulations.

As stated the winch mounts to the front plate, feet towards the front. The M12000 fits great, but as far as "Sliding In" I find it far easier to mount with the bumper off the truck. When removing the winch, gravity helps it "Slide out" with the bumper still fully mounted.

That's the only way it mounts and if I recall correctly, there should be two bolts on the top and bottom of both frame rails. I can't recall if there are side bolts on that model or not. Too many different ARB's clutter my mind.

 

[adventureduo]

You drill out the roller fairlead from behind to correspond with the winch bolt pattern.

The 4 bolts are enough because your pulling on the face of the winch bumper, the 4 bolts literally just hold the winch on.

 

[Pskhaat]

I have a warn 12k, mounted it with the arb on the truck with aid from a jack, no drilling necessary for me here.

 

[adventureduo]

Read this... you dont drill the bumper... you drill the fairlead.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-socal-80s/285728-anyone-have-extra-roller-fairlead.html

 

[Pskhaat]

Huh. Funny, I'm confident I didn't drill my fairlead. I did get my 12k at a very good price, maybe it was a return and the fairlead was already drilled?

 

[petrolhog]

Yeah, me too no drilling involved.

 

[luk4mud]

Thanks for the help, guys. The bumper is already mounted and I just got the winch, so I will draft my kids to help me wiggle it into place and see how it fits.

Dave, you picture on mud helped me envision how this will work. I am still concerned about the lack of anchor points. Once I get it on, I'll drag the wife's car up the street a bit and see how the mounts hold up.:victory:

 

[brentbba]

Hope either you or your kids are able to bench press that thing in to place! Dave did the bench press on mine while I started threading the bolts. As you well know, the M12000 isn't light!

 

[luk4mud]

Got it in, thanks for the help guys. Wasn't too bad- I just attached a couple of cam buckle straps over the upper bull bar and had the kids tighten them as I lifted, got it to the right height then swung it into position. I'll load the synthetic line tomorrow and then test by dragging the wife's car up the street a bit. That will clue me a little more about the the anchor points.

 

[THATSALEXUS?]

I wouldn't worry in the least about how the bumper is mounted. I've never heard of anyone ever having any issues. My buddy lives in AK and probably gets more use out of his than just about anyone and has never had an issue, other than having 2 warn winches fail.

As a matter of fact, when I set mine up for the first time,I unrolled the cable and attached the hook to my forklift. When I tried to "put some tension on the cable" spooling it back up, I popped the forklift up on two wheels:Wow1: