Uneek4x4 pre-runner & winch mount, comments please.

[markandallan]

Hi

I have 2015 jeep GC overland and want some protection for taking it 4 wheel driving.
Does anyone have a WK2 with uneek pre-runner installed.

If so are you happy with and have you found it gives the lower front and under body enough protection.

Has any one fitted the winch mount and pre- runner combination by uneek and if so have they use the winch and does the WK2 bumper hold up to its use when pulling heavy loads. I know it has the a metal surround but does that provide enough strength and stability for the winch rope.

I don't want a full bull bar but would like to protect the vulnerable parts when 4WD'ing.

I'm also thinking about getting the uneek rock sliders and bash plate.

Goal is to get as much protection I can for off roading with the least amount of weight.

I have looked at the chief products as well but they work out quite a bit more expensive than Uneeks gear.

Thanks
Mark


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[CamAE]

Hi Mark,

I purchased the Uneek 4x4 Hidden Winch Mount, Pre-runner, Bottom Brush bar and sump plate. I fitted everything except the hidden winch mount as it required moving the trans cooling(petrol only) and I haven't gone offroad as much as I thought. So I'm probably not the best person to say if it gives enough protection or not, but I think it does. It covers everything that's left exposed behind the airdam, once mounted it's solid as. Fairly heavy duty, I would say it would take a lot of punishment.

I do have afew complaints tho:

• Recovery points not rated, when I asked Uneek about this they reassured me that they we're fine for recovery and they would be rated in the next few months as it was just a matter of paperwork. Bit of surprise when the install instructions say that the points are for towing only and not designed for recovery. Also just looking at Uneek's website now and it appears they are still not rated, so seems like it was all a sales pitch.

• Excessive need to cut, drill and remove OEM parts, during install I felt there were mounting options which wouldn't necessitate the modification of the Jeeps frame. I haven't seen the Chief products in person but this is where I think they're miles ahead.

• Some of the parts didn't fit, I think I might of been the first person to order the pre-runner for an air-suspension model and the production brush bar. This involved abit of back and forth with Uneek, but they were helpful and I'm sure this has all been ironed out now

• Powdercoating wasn't the best, was already chipping around the bolt holes before install.

• Install instruction were abit unclear at a certain point which meant when I thought I had finished I had to completely remove everything and start again, also meant I got the holes in the crossmember afew mms out. If you go ahead with the Uneek I'll post up some photos and additional instructions so you can learn from my mistakes.

• The bottom brush bar doesn't go the full width of the vehicle, this is a poor design as the point of the brush bar is to push brush down or around the vehicle, instead it pushes it to the end of the brush bar then along the side panels. I'll post a photo later.

[LIST]All the supplied bolts were 8.8 and full thread, even the ones which directly mount the recovery points and replaced factory 10.9s with shank. This is extremely bad engineering practice using the threaded section of a bolt in shear, and even worse replacing a 10.9 with a 8.8. Some were also too long and required double washers to fit [\LIST]

The Chief products do seem excessively expensive in comparison. However I believe there is a third option if you are in need of rated recovery points too.
Purchase the Rocky Road Outfitters Hidden Winch Mount + tow hook kit, the RRO hidden winch mount allows the Mopar hooks to fit on AUS model WKs as Indydof did here http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com.au/for...75#post1594675 , then (hopefully) the Cheif Products pre-runner fits.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Cam

[markandallan]

Hi Cam thanks for the info, I might call uneek and ask a few questions.
Install sounds a bit complicated should be simpler than that, you would think.
How long ago did you buy it?
Thanks
Mark


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[Benn0]

Have a look at the Chief prerunner, my biggest problem with the uneek prerunner is the tow points not being rated. Here is what happened to one owner who tried to snatch out of a creek bed on Fraser:





Apparently the tow point ended up in the back of a cruiser that was trying to snatch him out.

[markandallan]

Originally Posted by Benn0

Have a look at the Chief prerunner, my biggest problem with the uneek prerunner is the tow points not being rated. Here is what happened to one owner who tried to snatch out of a creek bed on Fraser:











Apparently the tow point ended up in the back of a cruiser that was trying to snatch him out.

Ok wow so that was fitted with the uneek hidden winch


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[Benn0]

Yep, that was a uneek winch mount, as camae said above, the tow points are not rated for recovery.

[Numb Thumbs]

Hmmm..... Bit of a redesign needed maybe?

Not a good look. Bit of an exuberant snatch, maybe?

Cheers
Numb Thumbs