LR3 A Frame Brush Guard Modification

[Alex M]

I've been going back and forth as to what front bumper I want to install on my LR3. I've looked at the ARB and the Lucky 8 bumpers, but I keep coming back to the OEM a frame brush guard with a winch. What can I say: I'm a sucker for the look of it. However, I am finding it difficult to come by a winch compatible a frame brush guard without paying $1000. I have come across quite a few that are non-winch compatible for much lower prices. I am wondering if it would be an easy modification to cut the lower cross section of the guard to make room for the winch. If anyone has any input I would appreciate it. Or if anyone has a winch compatible a frame brush guard they want to sell, please PM me. Thanks.

Alex

 

[morrisdl]

In the same boat. Love my OEM A-frame but someday will want to a winch too. I have seen the Lucky8 bumper a couple times in person and think its the best option currently available that embodies the A-frame look. The hidden winch trays are almost just as expensive.

 

[Derel1cte]

I've been going back and forth as to what front bumper I want to install on my LR3. I've looked at the ARB and the Lucky 8 bumpers, but I keep coming back to the OEM a frame brush guard with a winch. What can I say: I'm a sucker for the look of it. However, I am finding it difficult to come by a winch compatible a frame brush guard without paying $1000. I have come across quite a few that are non-winch compatible for much lower prices. I am wondering if it would be an easy modification to cut the lower cross section of the guard to make room for the winch. If anyone has any input I would appreciate it. Or if anyone has a winch compatible a frame brush guard they want to sell, please PM me. Thanks.

Alex

What if you get the stock A-frame brush bar and then put in a hidden winch so that the hawse is mounted on the large lower bar? Then you would have the best of both worlds since you will retain the stock look while not ruining the approach angle with the stock LR3 winch tray.

 

[Alex M]

I really do like the Lucky8 bumper, but have yet to see it in person. It looks like it follows the lines of the LR3 a lot better than the ARB. Is the polyurethane on your a frame reinforced by any sort of metal? Seems like it could be easy to just cut away the bottom cross section if it isn't.

 

[Alex M]

What if you get the stock A-frame brush bar and then put in a hidden winch so that the hawse is mounted on the large lower bar? Then you would have the best of both worlds since you will retain the stock look while not ruining the approach angle with the stock LR3 winch tray.

I've thought about going that route. But i don't really like the idea of a hidden winch. I want to be able to have an unobstructed view of the winch and line while i'm using it. I forget who, but I was reading a post from a guy who was able to get his local land rover dealership service department to alter the OEM winch mount so that it sits back and doesn't extend past the line of the bumper. It looked really good too. I would not have guessed that it wasn't the OEM set up.

 

[DiscoDavis]

I too would like to know once and for all how the A frame is set up structurally. Is it all polyurethane?? It isn't Alu or steel that's coated or sheathed? They look amazing and compact but forking over 2/3 of what an ARB costs for rubber and plastic? I could never stomach the idea.

 

[racehorse]

Hey gents,

I think I'm the fellow you are referencing or not but maybe I can help . The work was from an independent shop and it took three tries to get it right the way I wanted it to be - flush, OEM, non-hidden. The brush bar isn't for everyone. It's not going to stop a rhino from destroying your front end but, my logic was the last time I encountered an animal strike was pretty much never. I just wanted enough protection out front. I also didn't want to drop 200 pounds of steel bumper on the front end. It's already heavy enough with armor, camp stuff and everything else. The brush bar is NOT for everyone. It won't give you the protection a steel bumper does. You can't put a high lift on it. You pretty much can't really sit on it either. The brackets are crap but combined with the winch and up flush against the bumper it affords a lot more protection than stock nothing at all there and it doesn't weigh very much. Your challenge should you choose to accept it: try finding one. It's pretty darned unobtanium here in the U.S. And if you want it like mine, well, let's just say it's not cheap. In the end, though, I love it and wouldn't change anything.

 

[morrisdl]

Awesome Racehorse! Do you have more pics? Was that start as a winch compatible a-frame, or did you cut up a non-winch one? Mine has 4 bolts into the frame on the front, but I dont see that on yours.

 

[A.J.M]

I have the winch A frame on mine, it was 3rd hand. Came with no bolts and upper brackets. The spot light mounting holes were hacked to hell and i can't get the spot lights to sit right just now with the bar due to this.
It did have the lower brackets but the 4 bolt hole covers were and still are missing.
Still cost me £200

Got a genuine external winch mount for it as well now.

Would 2nd the request for some extra pictures of the mount, and fixings.

I got the upper brackets from a Disco forum's online store for £25. Bolts came from my garage and i fitted mine with my mate who's a Land Rover Specialist. Fitted a high performance intercooler at the same time. ( TDV6 owner here. )

 

[racehorse]

Awesome Racehorse! Do you have more pics? Was that start as a winch compatible a-frame, or did you cut up a non-winch one? Mine has 4 bolts into the frame on the front, but I dont see that on yours.

This was the winch compatible a-frame. Ordered from UK.

 

[Alex M]

Hey gents,

I think I'm the fellow you are referencing or not but maybe I can help . The work was from an independent shop and it took three tries to get it right the way I wanted it to be - flush, OEM, non-hidden. The brush bar isn't for everyone. It's not going to stop a rhino from destroying your front end but, my logic was the last time I encountered an animal strike was pretty much never. I just wanted enough protection out front. I also didn't want to drop 200 pounds of steel bumper on the front end. It's already heavy enough with armor, camp stuff and everything else. The brush bar is NOT for everyone. It won't give you the protection a steel bumper does. You can't put a high lift on it. You pretty much can't really sit on it either. The brackets are crap but combined with the winch and up flush against the bumper it affords a lot more protection than stock nothing at all there and it doesn't weigh very much. Your challenge should you choose to accept it: try finding one. It's pretty darned unobtanium here in the U.S. And if you want it like mine, well, let's just say it's not cheap. In the end, though, I love it and wouldn't change anything.

View attachment 314520View attachment 314521

Yea, Racehorse, your LR3 was the one that I was think of, but I could not remember which thread I saw it in. Your bumper and winch is definitely how I would like to set mine up, just not sure if I can convert a non winch compatible brush guard. Also, for your winch mount, did you modify the OEM winch mount or was it completely custom?

 

[racehorse]

Custom. We tried getting the mount and tray from Warn but they refused. I used to like Warn but now just think they are a bunch of weenies. They wouldn't sell us just the mount per contractual agreements with Land Rover. They'd rather keep the entire unit sitting on a shelf for the next 20 years.

 

[perkj]

Custom. We tried getting the mount and tray from Warn but they refused. I used to like Warn but now just think they are a bunch of weenies. They wouldn't sell us just the mount per contractual agreements with Land Rover. They'd rather keep the entire unit sitting on a shelf for the next 20 years.

They are obligated to per their contract with LR. Why is this so hard to understand?

 

[racehorse]

We understood their contractual obligations. We also expected them to help provide alternative options in good faith as an off road supplier and company that helps enthusiasts. That they were indifferent, obstinate and relcalcitrant toward us - buy the entire kit or nothing - is not cool. And why they are weenies. That's my dealings with Warn. I'm sure others have found their products and service to their liking. I have not.

 

[Ray_G]

No affiliation with the seller but figured this was a good thread to highlight what appears to be 2 of the OE winch trays from Warn for the LR3, for those that dare to go to Dweb (I'm the one further in the thread telling him to consider coming over here given the numbers of LR3/4 owners).
http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=92827&referrerid=8302