punisher1130
Adventurer
Alright that's a easy enough fix but is there a way to lock it down to the bumper so it doesn't walk off?
winches
- Thread starter punisher1130
- Start date
MOguy
Explorer
A small weld holding it could work.
X3 I had a Warn 6000 Short Drum Portable (not sure they make them any more) for my old Suzuki SJ413. It worked ok in that application. I made a good strong low profile mount for it in my front bar. BUT! that small winch was right at the limit of what you could carry around on a steep muddy track - you never get stuck in nice places! I would not recommend having a larger winch setup like that if it's going to be used for self recovery.
Cheers
Clint
punisher1130
Adventurer
Could, I know there are plate bolts for bikes that need a special tool to use, is there anything like that for winches?
MOguy
Explorer
I don't know
punisher1130
Adventurer
Enough to make one think, would be awesome if there were locking bolts for winches.
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
The fasteners are standard thread. You can get all kinda of different fasteners. I don't see it being much of an issue, but there would be lots of ways to prevent someone from taking the winch off.
-Use something like a torx head fastener, not many people have that laying around.
-Tack weld a large washer around a standard hex head fastener. You would have to remove the washer to remove the bolt.
-Hide the fasteners so that they are not accessible without removing the bumper.
-weld a small tube around a standard hex fastener so you HAVE to have a thin wall socket.
punisher1130
Adventurer
All good ideas but Sergeant_V just answered the question lol. Though if I really wanted to make it a pain in the *** to remove I could use the bolts with those tricks.
punisher1130
Adventurer
I can barely afford my truck as it is, there is no way in hell I could afford to drive one of those let along build it lol.
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
Ok. $28 for one fastener seems a bit excessive to me. I guess you only have to replace one.....
Personally I don't think it's worth the headache. If someone REALLY wants to mess with your winch/vehicle they will. If you really want to worry about something fun. You can have nightmares about someone hooking the winch line to the rear bumper over the top of the car. Then jumping the control plug with a paperclip. I remember seeing pictures of someone who had this done to their vehicle years back....
punisher1130
Adventurer
I agree it is pricey but its better than nothing and yes I know if someone really wants to they will but at least I can put up a fight instead of making it easy. Oh damn, I think that was the ex special in full glory.
Buliwyf
Viking with a Hammer
You might like the Warn Transformer II if you're keeping your front bumper stock. With our fullsize trucks that get stuck, but not wheeled hard, we keep the stock bumpers because they're lightweight and cheap to replace. It stinks having too much weight on the nose of your truck if it isn't needed.
I'd also avoid the multimount. A Highlift and 100 feet of 3/8" chain is my multimount. And usually all I need.
Tack weld your winches bolts. You just grind the weld off and use new bolts everytime you remove the winch. And you should disassemble and seal up any winch you buy, even the high end Warns. You'll be doing it just about every year anyways, it's easier to learn when they're clean and new.
I'd also avoid the multimount. A Highlift and 100 feet of 3/8" chain is my multimount. And usually all I need.
Tack weld your winches bolts. You just grind the weld off and use new bolts everytime you remove the winch. And you should disassemble and seal up any winch you buy, even the high end Warns. You'll be doing it just about every year anyways, it's easier to learn when they're clean and new.
punisher1130
Adventurer
They don't make that for my truck, I have no choice but to get a new bumper or use a front mounted hitch with the cradle, luckily Tough Country has a bumper for my truck that looks like the Ranch Hand ones. I have heard and seen videos of people using the pole jacks to winch out, looks pretty straight forward and I do plan on getting a pole jack as it is so that is a option I will keep in mind. Anything with welding isn't really a option I have since I don't own a welder, I would have to find a shop to do it for me. I think someone on here had mentioned going through the winch before, and I do agree with it, good way to learn it while its clean and I have heard that the seals on some winches weren't very good so that is one thing I want to take care of regardless.