Here is my version of the hidden winch Inside stock bumper. I have been reading a lot of these threads and on some other forums. Lots of information and photos helps everyone. I ended up with a Superwinch TS11500, might be overkill (found it on local adds....very cheap and brand new in the box).
So with the help of this forum, I got to work..
Take bumper off, chop it a little.
Fabricated a steel plate to hold the winch(détails coming later with photos)
Some welding (not on frame of Jeep) and bolts are holding it together with my plow set-up
Second photo the square tubes Under the winch were only used to take measurements.
Barely space to leave the fog lights in use.
Still have to fix the roller guide to plate.
Also moved the solenoid box next to battery (photos will follow). Connection to battery and all the wiring to be done soon.
That looks really clean! I like that you left the applique there as a flip down cover. It's super clean and stealthy! Do you have more pictures of the mount? Were you able to mount a fairlead in there? Post more pics!
More photos will be coming soon. The wheather is kind of cool up here for the time of the year and I have no heat in my garage ! This install was done a couple days ago.
The fairlead roller are to be installed next, and as I tested, it should barely fit. As soon as I get back on installation, I will post more pictures.:iamhappy:
Been looking at this myself. Lots of people instal upside down but really like the idea of right side up. Not a lot of information out there on right side up mounting so looking forward to more on how you mounted. Thanks for the post.
Will post photos soon. Right now we have 2 inches of snow from last night, and garage has no heating, so going to be in couple of days...
I made my own plate to support the winch. When I take bumper off...again...for final work, I will get some photos (soon). Did not want the winch to come up in front of grille.
As for the fairlead roller, it will be installed soon. The silver aplique is held on with small stainless steel piano hinge. If it gets in the way when I use the winch....I have another idea to try !
If wheather permits, and my back is not too sore... I should be able to get going on the remaining install on this coming monday and tuesday.
Very nice work. The only issue I see with this is having lots of use on my winch, many times the angle on the wire is downwards, which, by looking at your pics, will be an issue with that flip down bumper applique. It just looks like you are going to have clearance issues when winching with that opened up...
Finally got to install the fairlead roller...after installing/removing bumper a few times, measure, trim bumper, try it on again and again...
The winch plate is between the frame rails and is bolted (12 bolts) to a rear square tubing and one in front of the oem crossframe. Those are welded to the snow plow mount. The snow plow mount is bolted on the outside frame rails. No welding on Jeep frame.
The fairlead is held on with a 1/4" plate welded on the winch plate.
Doing roughly the same to mine. I personally like the rollers on the outside, but that's neither here nor there. We're still in the "making everything fit before bolting in" stage. Almost there, but having an issue with the winch covering the fog lights. Did you move your bumper out, shim it? Or, I'm guessing the extra space for the rollers freed up your fog lights and you didn't have this issue?
I was obsessed with making a hidden winch setup, and it was going to be a fun project too. But then after thinking about it, abandoned it. Its really inconvenient to have a coil of steel cable somewhere where you cant easily inspect it, clean it, or help guide it straight when pulling it in.
It is easy to inspect the wire cable....just pull it all out, just like it is mentionned in all winch maintenance instructions.
As for when winding it on, whether it is inside bumper or on top, you still have to "guide" it somehow. I reloaded it like the instruction mention (with some tension on the cable), and it works fine.
I forgot to mention, on top of winch there is a thin 1/16" plexiglass sheet to prevent debris falling on the winch, and can be easily removed for maintenance, if needed.
Everything works well....but as I was mostly planning to use the winch to lift my snowplow, and I did for a few times this winter, I noticed it was putting a lot of stress on "everything", so I moved the winch up on the homemade removeable snowplow mount, which I take-off when not in use. When wheather wams up, will be looking to make a portable/removeable winch mount using the mouniting plate that was installed behind the bumper. Will post photos soon.
Sorry to bring to up a old threard......that I starter back to earlier.
I was supposed to post photo and better modification........ but plan did not go as a wish....but quite opposite way !!!
Sorry,
. In month of april I ended in hospital and just got out two week ago.
So this week, a friend come over to do the works for me, and take off the winch, and all modification for the spowplow the my Jeep, as it will for not be use to plow the driveway and hopefully evrything be sold shortly.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ask a question
Ask a question
Jeep Wrangler Forum
9M posts
468K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models!