Custom hidden winch mount

[Fishframe]

Costs can be kept well down if you shop around and you’re not in a hurry. Gumtree has plenty of Warn Winches and you can find a decent secondhand one for $1,000 or less. I always wanted decent alloy wheels for my TJ and after constantly checking Gumtree on a regular basis I got the current Centerline Hellcats (Jeep specific wheels) for $250. All I had to do to make them look like new was clean them, wet dry sand and polish.

[Adrian D]

Agreed 110% that if you are not in a hurry you can definitely find good deals

I got this M8000 for $250 but it needed some work, as the gearbox was dry, one of the motor bearings was shot, 3 mounting bolts were seized and one of the contacts came off.

[Adrian D]

It's the little things that use up so much time...

Grounded to the plate. Then I will run a ground to the battery, or just run a larger ground from the battery to the body:


Made a positive terminal extension, so that I can move the sound system and winch power from the main bolt of the terminal:

[5oclock]

Progressing nicely.
Dont know about the wax,plumbers silicone works well on a lot of things. The auto gasket silicone is really good, be lost with out it.
I would always run a separate earth,,,if one of the other earth connections is less than perfect it can lead to all sorts of drama from stray currents, anyway steel bodywork electrical resistance is too high when you are dealing with these large amps. It is cheap insurance as they say.
Totally agree with everyone else about waiting for the bargains.
I am thinking I may go for a separate pump for the winch instead of using the PS pump. I will get the winch mounted first then decide,,,,would be nice to put the pump where the viscous heater is,,mmm.

[nudibranches]

Originally Posted by 5oclock

Do you think the winch has any effect on the cooling system, just it looks like it may reduce air flow but not easy to tell just from pics.
Definitely tucked away, very helpful to see how other WG owners have solved the winch install dilemma. Also, did you sneak another battery in some where??
Some of the winch/bar jobs I see on late model twin cabs appear to have that much front overhang it must be a real PIA.

In my case, after four years use, there has been no noticeable impact on engine cooling.

[5oclock]

Nudibranches, should have said in the previous post, it looks like the winch plate might give some much needed protection to the bottom of the radiator/ac condensor. Not easy for me to make out from the angle the pic was taken, is this correct?

[nudibranches]

Yes it gives a lot more protection. It's also good for recovery points. I lost my serpentine belt a few years ago in the Brindabellas and couldn't drive far before the engine overheated. Another 4WD towed me out and to the road where I could get a tow truck back into Canberra. Without the plate and recovery points I'd have been screwed and stuck down a few fire trails.