Home built winch mount

[fomocoguy]

Well, I finally found the time to install my self built winch mount and winch today, so I thought I'd shoot you all a couple of pics. It's nothing fancy, but it turned out nice. I did it when I was at school (I'm a 4th year apprentice Sheetmetal Worker). We didn't have any 1/4" plate so I welded two pieces of 1/8" together all the way around for the plates. I made the inside plate longer so it would stretch down over the body seam and pull on both the top and bottom tub. I also counter sunk the bolts so they wouldn't hurt the gas tank. I know the thickness is probably way overkill, but that's better than it being too thin, right?!




The wires on the Harbor Freight 3000# winch were about two feet too short, so I had to lengthen them. That took longer than mounting the winch. HOPEFULLY this week I'll have time to take her out and play. I still haven't got to really use her yet, and I've had her since march! Babies, being two working parents, and a career in the HVAC field do that to you...

[Mike]

Looks good.

[thebuggyman1]

Let us know how well the winch works......those are right in my price range

[LarryW]

Wow,did that turn out nice! Great work!

[fomocoguy]

Thanks guys! I apprecieate the positive comments! I can't wait to test it out...

[truckndiesl]

dont get it wet or it will be junk u need to take the cover off the control panel and seal it up

[JAM]

I had one on my 4 wheeler(harbor frieght winch), prior to purchasing my first max II, never had a problem with it and It got really wet. But A little bit of sealing never hurt.

[fomocoguy]

It got wet when I washed it after the last ride and it still works, but I am definetly going to seal it up before the next one just to be safe. On a side note, it worked great! It got my out of a jam in a place where nothing else would have been able to get to.

[Dennis Saskowski]

Well how's that winch working? I did a similar installation on my ''99'' IV.How is that 10 gauge primary wire working, does winch seem to stall after a short time on a pull? Body creeks a little? Got the cure if interested ,Dennis

[Robinhood02]

ive had my winch right under water while useing it and it still works fine, as far as i know DC current works while under water ,even head lights . just not electronics

[Dennis Saskowski]

Good to hear , some folks with big winchs and small primary wire have some issues. They smoked there winchs trying to pull me out. Then I got my own winch. My backer plate is a little wider than yours but made out o 3/4 plywood to add give to the plastic body.

[fomocoguy]

I haven't had any trouble with it at all, but I also haven't had to make any real long pulls with it. I've used it twice (besides using it as a tow rope to pull my buddies four wheeler out); once when I was high centered in a two track and once when I got stuck on two logs with one btween each set of wheels. Both times it worked well, but it wasn't running for more than a minute.
No body creaks to speak of.