OffToTheSide
Member
FYI, Pic is not visible as of 9:41 am, EST.
LR4 Hidden Winch: HF DIY Install
- Thread starter Bama4door
- Start date
FYI, Pic is not visible as of 9:41 am, EST.
ClearwaterScott
Observer
Smart looking install!!! I'm still in process, haven't mounted the fairlead behind the license plate, that's the final step.
Last edited:
Bassist169
New member
Great writeup! I know this thread is a few years old but I had a couple of questions if anyone can answer.
So it looks like the original steel bumper support is no longer used with this mount; is this an issue at all? I noticed that some other options, such as the Devon mount seem to have some extensions on each side to make up for the loss of the stock support. Has anyone used the HF mount and then welded on additional support? Is it even necessary? I plan to have an A-Bar/Bull Bar fabricated for my LR4 which should allege any worry about a front end collision.
I was just curious if anyone else used this mount and modified it in any form to make it more beefy.
Thanks!
So it looks like the original steel bumper support is no longer used with this mount; is this an issue at all? I noticed that some other options, such as the Devon mount seem to have some extensions on each side to make up for the loss of the stock support. Has anyone used the HF mount and then welded on additional support? Is it even necessary? I plan to have an A-Bar/Bull Bar fabricated for my LR4 which should allege any worry about a front end collision.
I was just curious if anyone else used this mount and modified it in any form to make it more beefy.
Thanks!
DakotaTravels
New member
Thread necromancy. I know. Just wanted to say I did this same install today. I have to finish up with the wiring and bumper customizing, but the plate and winch are in place. Vehicle is a 2006 LR3. I am wondering how well this setup has worked. Any issues due to stress? I drilled to 1/2" with grade 8 hardware. I too am a little concerned about the thickness of the body metal and wonder if I should go a head and drill a third hole in the middle of the other two. But my concern there is now weakening of the frame. Three holes is like a perforation. What I would like to find is a grade 8 U-bolt that effectively wraps around the frame material. But I am not sure there will be room. So before I go crazy will more holes/bolts, I would love some feedback on how this setup is holding up and any new insights on this install.
Anyway, the write-up was great and very helpful. So many thanks for taking time to document it. I will add that the black plastic "Insert" or square on the LR3 seems different. I completely removed it. There are two 8mm screws that come out into the engine bay. Very hard to see and remove. The one next to the coolant tank is horrible - loosen the tank up and use a couple long extension with a u-joint to get that one. Then the plastic insert pulls sorta down and out.
For the stock bumper, I am planning on dropping it off at a place to have them cut the ends off so I can re-mount it for valve block and washer tank support.
Anyway, the write-up was great and very helpful. So many thanks for taking time to document it. I will add that the black plastic "Insert" or square on the LR3 seems different. I completely removed it. There are two 8mm screws that come out into the engine bay. Very hard to see and remove. The one next to the coolant tank is horrible - loosen the tank up and use a couple long extension with a u-joint to get that one. Then the plastic insert pulls sorta down and out.
For the stock bumper, I am planning on dropping it off at a place to have them cut the ends off so I can re-mount it for valve block and washer tank support.
Abran
Observer
The devon winch tray is hands down the best. It has 2 tabs on each side that insert into the recess in the center of the frame and them you cross drill the frame/mount tabs and insert 2 8MM bolts per side. So in addition to the 8 bolts that are normally used you now have 4 bolts that are being used in a sheer capacity.
rewillia
New member
Bama, et al,
I realize this is a dated thread (2016) but thought I post my questions here as a follow along;
1) can you explain how you made your penetrations into the enclosed LR3/4 battery box for the winch power cable(s) in order to maintain its water penetration resistance and possibly share a photo of such? and,
2) did you run both the +/- winch cables to the battery or did you actually run only the positive (+) and ground the negative (-) to the chassis?
I realize this is a dated thread (2016) but thought I post my questions here as a follow along;
1) can you explain how you made your penetrations into the enclosed LR3/4 battery box for the winch power cable(s) in order to maintain its water penetration resistance and possibly share a photo of such? and,
2) did you run both the +/- winch cables to the battery or did you actually run only the positive (+) and ground the negative (-) to the chassis?
morrisdl
Adventurer
I ran the ground to the same chassis stud that the battery grounds too. Its a ********** to get to, but the correct thing to do. Both of my +&- wires run around the top of the engine compartment and fit though the far passenger side seam between the lid base. I didnt have to cut anything to get to slide though there.
Glapin
Member
Resurrecting the dead again. Just finished my hidden winch. Used this post as my guide, so thank you and ran into my own small batch of snafus that I figured I’d share. 
Everything started off all peachy. Going as planned and exactly as the previous posts stated.
That was until I tried to test fit the bumper.
For some reason the winch tray sat much lower than expected and there was no way for me to mount it much higher. Anyway, trimmed the bumper accordingly and it is about as hidden as a hidden winch can get.
Everything started off all peachy. Going as planned and exactly as the previous posts stated.
That was until I tried to test fit the bumper.
For some reason the winch tray sat much lower than expected and there was no way for me to mount it much higher. Anyway, trimmed the bumper accordingly and it is about as hidden as a hidden winch can get.
I mounted mine differently and also question how strong that will be(highly doubt it's strong enough). I hope my explanation didn't lead you in this direction.
I edited your pictures to show where I drilled/mounted. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE ROUGHLY WHERE I MOUNTED.
Good news is that you should be able to drill 2 more holes through the mount and through the LR3 frame and make it strong.
Do you have another link to this youtube video? This one isn't working for me.
My progress so far. Just have it mocked up with 3/8 bolts before I drill to 1/2. My winch and mount tray came from Amazon both are Zeak brand.
If anyone is still following this thread would love to hear how your harbor freight mounts are holding up.
I'm thinking about cutting down a strip of metal that will go from the top holes down to the bottom for reinforcement. I don't know enough to know if it would actually help though.
If anyone is still following this thread would love to hear how your harbor freight mounts are holding up.
I'm thinking about cutting down a strip of metal that will go from the top holes down to the bottom for reinforcement. I don't know enough to know if it would actually help though.
