how to modify a non winch bar to a winch bar

[JBE]

I decided, it’s time to mount a winch to my GQ. I have a non-winch ARB bar and I’m thinking of modifying it for a 12,000 pound Tigerz low mount winch.
My question is, what have people done to strengthen the bullbar and how have they mounted the winch. At the moment, I’m thinking of mounting the winch vertically to the bullbar and use a 6mm metal plate to strengthen the bar. The plate would be welded up to the chassis mounts of the bar.
I also saw the pictures on the Tigerz website where they use a horizontal mounting plate to modify an ARB non winch bar.
What do you think?

Cheers
Joachim

[create]

Have a look here - does this help?
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic148 ... highlight=

Or even here

http://www.thiswotidonow.com/ebay/STEVESINSTALL.htm

[Surfin Alec]

I did it to mine (ARB non winch 80 series cruiser). If you compare a nonwinch to a winch you will see there is no difference in the mounting to the chassis "at all".

The only difference is where the holes are cut for the winch there are some extra reinforcement around the cut holes. Nothing extra to the chassis.

All I did was make a template off a winch bar with no winch, cut in the holes (grinder and drill) and added a 6mm steel plate for the entire length between the chassis rails of the bull bar (but not to the chassis, just a flat plate that sits inside the front section of the bar). After mounting the winch and bolting through the plate and the bar, I added 2 more 12mm hi-tens bolts at either end of the plate to further clamp it to the bull bar.

I have winched off it quite a few times (Some very hard winching too) and the bar is still 100%, no bends, warps, cracks or anything.

I would say go for it, it will save you a heap of money. The only thing I didnt do (and kinda wish I did ) was cut a slot in the top of the bull bar so I can see the cable rolling on the drum without trying to see between the rollers.



If you look closely at the bar you can see the extra bolts at either end for the extra plate (under the number plate at one end). I also mounted the roller a bit higher so they didnt hang down and redrilled the holes in the roller block to suit. My control box is just mounted directly on top of the winch. Remote control wired to inside the cab of course.


Alec

[JBE]

Hi Alec
How's it going? Haven't seen you at work for a while.
Thanks for the info. That's exactly what I was after. I couldn't find a picture of the inside of a winch bar anywhere on the web.
Cheers
Joachim