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Winch Security

14K views 56 replies 37 participants last post by  EarthCruzn 
#1 ·
Just bought a new winch and I would like to keep it. What have you guys done to mount and "theft-proof" your winch to your Jeep?

I saw a security bolt system on 4wd.com--but $75 for a couple of bolts?!

I guess another option would be to have someone spot-weld a couple of the mounting bolts.

Any suggestions/ideas would be welcomed.
 
#2 ·
Well idk about you but my winch weighs a good 400lb at my guess. It's secured down with six bolts. I don't see anyone stealing it but with mine I would but a security cable with a lock through the drum and upper part ( solenoid, yours may be different) and lock it into the frame.
 
#7 ·
I'm not sure about your mount, but my winch wont come out with out removing the front bumber, so that has to be some dedicated theif, with a lot of time and big tools on their hands...
 
#14 ·
Ok if the theif wants to come out in the public with a torque wrench, pop my hood and undo the wires, AND undo the wires to the solinoid (because one got wrapped around my grill) then lift the winch, with the plate and steel cable, he can sure give it a shot. I would bet I'd be out of the store by then lol. Even if he stole my winch he'd have to buy a new remote...sheesh I thought thieves wanted an easy steal. This might be the stupidest steal lol
 
#15 ·
It has gotten to the point where I think about where I am going before I leave the house. If I am going anywhere where I have to leave the vehicle unattended, or can not see it, I just drive the old pickup and leave the Jeep in the garage.

I would rather drive the Jeep everywhere, all the time. But these days, it is not possible due to all the thievin' bastage tweakers out there.
 
#17 ·
I welded steel c channel over the bolts that mount the winch and the bolts that mount the bumper.
 
#21 ·
Chances are if someone wants/needs a winch, it's not going to be a random act. It's premeditated and those silly bolt locks or other wannabe thief deters aren't going to do anything. The only suggestion I've seen in this thread that will actually do anything to stop a thief is welding a barrier over one of the bolts. You don't want to tack a bolt in place though as it will compromise it's integrity.

It's not very likely, but I've seen quite a few "winch stolen" threads. There was even a guy who came out to his jeep and saw some guys with a flatbed truck backed up right in front of the jeep, before the guy know what was going on and got to his jeep they were driving off with his bumper and winch the the bed.
 
#23 ·
This thread is making laugh so hard, my stomach hurts like I did 100 crunches.:rofl:

If they really want anything on your jeep, they will prob find a way to take it.

All I can say is that I have insurance for peace of mind. Plus I am a darned good shot!:firedevil:

Edit: $200 deductible :)
 
#24 ·
My Solution = Your Solution?

I was confronted with the issue several commentators have expressed in this thread: namely, securing the winch to the winch plate was a solved problem but securing the winch pate to the bumper/bumper to the vehicle remained a vulnerability.

I did some hunting through the conventional sources for jeep parts, and I didn't find anything necessarily to my liking (I remember seeing one lock box that looked like it might cover a bumper bolt but didn't appreciate the cluttered look this would create and thought it might easily be hacksawed open).

I subsequently looked elsewhere for a solution and found a company that was able to provide me with special button head bolts with a unique key. They are a direct replacement for the factory tow hook bolts (TJ at least), only in stainless and with locking teeth on the bottom of the bolt head. I had an extra set made to meet their minimum order quantity. It is a simple, clean-looking solution to the problem. If anyone would like to purchase the extra set I put them up on ebay. It is a pricier solution that some here have proposed, but hey, quality sleep is worth it me!

Bolts:
Anti-Tamper Jeep Bumper Bolts | eBay

Corresponding Bit:
Anti-Tamper Jeep Bumper Bolt Key | eBay

Happy Jeeping. Happy winching.
 
#26 ·
I was confronted with the issue several commentators have expressed in this thread: namely, securing the winch to the winch plate was a solved problem but securing the winch pate to the bumper/bumper to the vehicle remained a vulnerability.

I did some hunting through the conventional sources for jeep parts, and I didn't find anything necessarily to my liking (I remember seeing one lock box that looked like it might cover a bumper bolt but didn't appreciate the cluttered look this would create and thought it might easily be hacksawed open).

I subsequently looked elsewhere for a solution and found a company that was able to provide me with special button head bolts with a unique key. They are a direct replacement for the factory tow hook bolts (TJ at least), only in stainless and with locking teeth on the bottom of the bolt head. I had an extra set made to meet their minimum order quantity. It is a simple, clean-looking solution to the problem. If anyone would like to purchase the extra set I put them up on ebay. It is a pricier solution that some here have proposed, but hey, quality sleep is worth it me!

Bolts:
Anti-Tamper Jeep Bumper Bolts | eBay

Corresponding Bit:
Anti-Tamper Jeep Bumper Bolt Key | eBay

Happy Jeeping. Happy winching.
Maybe I missed it in your posting, but what grade are those bolts? Important thing to note when securing bumpers and winches.
 
#29 ·
Just make sure the winch is covered under your comprehensive insurance with low or no deductible and relax. I understand it's not impossible, but pretty unlikely a thief would tackle removing a winch fastened down with Torx head bolts, unless he had a lot of time in a secure/out of sight area. Seems like tires and wheels would be more of a target and if they're that bold, they'd break a window and seats, radios and speakers are gone too. My point is, use common sense so you aren't making it easy for a thief, but no matter what you spend on anti-theft devices a determined thief will succeed or cause significant damage trying. Sometimes the damage is more expensive to fix than what he's after.
 
#33 ·
Hardware Grade Stuff

Shark_13,

Could be wrong but, I believe the conventional SAE grades are reserved for carbon-alloy steels only and that stainless precludes these from receiving such a rating (such as grade 5 or grade 8), and due to some info gaps, I can't bypass the ratings and use yield or tinsel strengths to provide a 1:1 comparison.

Here are the best answers I've got, though:

Answer 1:

If you are using a winch plate such as this:
https://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Winches-Je...03.aspx?t_c=18&t_s=126&t_pt=3440&t_pn=S/B2803

The plate is going to be secured to the jeep by 4 x 1/2" bolts and the 2 x the bolt(s) that secure the front of the sway bar brackets. Not sure what these are off hand, but they should be at least 3/8". Your winch is only secured down by 4 x 3/8" bolts. Thus, even if you excluded two of the 1/2" bolts from the winch plate, your winch (4 x 3/8") is still going to rip off of the plate before the plate (2 x 1/2" + 2 x ≥3/8") rips off the vehicle. I did some quick math using hardware yield ratings and bolt diameters, and if you secured your winch down with grade 8 bolts, then it should hold 57,000 lbs...I really can't conceive how you are going to apply that kind of force to a winch (tow hooks maybe). Thus, irrespective of what grade equivalent those/my SS bolts are, I feel pretty confident that my winch is secure enough for winching and street parking here in Crooklyn/Brooklyn (I know, not where a jeep belongs. It pains me too).


Answer 2:
-Grade 5 fasteners have a minimum yield strength of 92,000 psi.
-Grade 8 fasteners have a minimum yield strength of 130,000 psi.
-302 stainless bolts, depending on the treatment, can have a yield strength ranging form 20,000 - 95,000 psi. I was unable to confirm the treatment for these bolts, so I can't give a definitive comparison.

Doing conservative math (bolt cross sectional area * yield str. * # bolts):
-the 4 x grade 8 3/8" winch plate bolts will yield at 57k lbs load.
-(2 x 1/2" grade 8's) + (2 x 3/8" grade 8's) + (2 x SS anti-tampers at low end or yield range of 20,000 psi) = bolts will yield at 87k lbs load.

Obviously the above answers aren't perfect, but they seem indicative of a attainment of a good enough threshold. In pursuit of perfection, I spoke to the company that made the bolts I presently have today and they could make true grade 8 versions of these. Producing a lot of grade 8's and the keys would cost over $1k. If there is enough interest from fellow jeepers in having some of these, I might be up for making the investment. With the lot divided up, costs for bolts and keys would probably be similar to what the existing set cost. If anyone would be interested in those perhaps drop me a PM.

There seems to be some suggestion that grade 5 is OK for securing the winch to the plate as the following anti-tamper bolts for that portion of the equation are only grade 5: Factor 55 Wrangler Winch Lock (Universal Application) 00001-01 - Free Shipping

I used one these to ensure that step of the equation is secure. That said, once the bumper is secured it is next to impossible to get to the bottom side of the winch plate with tools. 1/2 bumper bolts alone probably OK from a security standpoint.

Well, that got overly detailed quickly. I need a hobby or something. Oh wait, that's why we're here :)
 
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