After having to be strapped over an obstacle on a trail last year I've been thinking maybe it's time for a winch. My requirements for a winch might be a little different than most, here are the most important requirements on my list:
- I do not want to change the factory front bumper.
- I do not want the winch installed permanently - there's no reason to carry that weight around 365 days a year when the winch only needs to be used at most a few weeks per year. Also no reason to subject the winch to the wear and tear of the elements all year.
- I don't plan to ever tackle trails with this Jeep that I know would require winching just to complete the trail; my reason for having the winch is more for getting unexpectedly stuck. With that in mind I'd like to be able to use the winch not only to pull the Jeep forward, but to pull it backward out of a stuck situation.
These requirements suggest a receiver-mounted winch that can be used in the front or in the rear, and can sit in the garage when I'm not on a trail.
To put a receiver on the front of the Jeep I think I'll start with a used hitch, they're pretty easy to find on Craigslist. I'll modify it something like shown below. I've done the drawing in orange to make it visible in this concept view but when completed I'll have it powder coated black. Assuming the main bar of whatever hitch I find is too long for this application I'll shorten it and make some angle brackets from 1/4" steel plate and weld them to each end of the shortened bar. The factory tow hooks and grille hoop will mount on top of the angle brackets. I'll probably also add d-ring loops to the bar, they're shown in the drawing.
The receiver will install using the 4 bolts that attach the factory tow hooks and grille hoop to the frame, that will make it quick and easy to install/remove so I may only have the receiver on the Jeep during expeditions, removing it between trips.
Once I make the receiver I'll do a winch mount and wiring, and select a winch.
There are a number of ready-made mounts on the market that work with standard 2" receivers so I may buy a commercial one or maybe I'll design something different than what's on the market, I haven't decided yet. One thing to work out is a mount that fits properly on the front and the back - on the back the spare tire might be in the way of the winch. I'll have to do some measurements and see if the winch mounts on the market will work properly on the rear, if not then I'll probably have to design and build something myself that will work on both ends of the Jeep. Here are a few that are on the market:
I've already got a plug under the hood to power my plow, so I can probably plug the winch into that. For use in the rear I'll have to run some heavy-gauge wiring to the back of the Jeep. I've already got 8-gauge wiring running back there for the Trail Kitchen, but 8-gauge isn't heavy enough for the amount of current a winch can draw.
I welcome any thoughts or suggestions you have.
That is exactly the information I was looking for. Can't beat that for a thorough answer, either. THANKS!.
