putting a winch on factory gq front bar.

[datroll]

hey guys i dont really wanna spend the coin on buying a specific winch bar for my gq, any one had experience ( silly question tbh ) but id rather spend more on winch then spending it on the winch bar, whats been done and any pics would be awesome... btw the father inlaw is a fitter n turner..

cheers , chris

[catchinjack]

I had my non winch bar modified, first guy stuffed it by not strengthening it correctly, now it's off to one I trust to fix. The bars are pretty similar, you really need a 4mm plate across front of bar for strength. Or you can mount winch to a cradle and bolt to chassis instead of bar.
I'll post some photos of mine after it's sorted out tomorrow.

[Rock Trol]

A friend installed a winch to his ARB Non-Winch bar via a cradle on the rails.
It's probably the best way of doing it as you know it will be strong enough.

[catchinjack]

Well here's some photos of what Rampt Customs did to fix mine to suit a winch, what he does is slightly different but remember I had to have mine fixed from original work.
He cut out some 3mm or 4mm steel plate, shaped it as required and then welded it across front, there's also two 3mm strips that run vertically inside of the bar where bolts line up, it is very strong now and no issues putting winch under strain when doing a recovery.

55036 55037 55038 55039

[BigRAWesty]

Well here's some photos of what Rampt Customs did to fix mine to suit a winch, what he does is slightly different but remember I had to have mine fixed from original work. He cut out some 3mm or 4mm steel plate, shaped it as required and then welded it across front, there's also two 3mm strips that run vertically inside of the bar where bolts line up, it is very strong now and no issues putting winch under strain when doing a recovery. <img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=55036"/> <img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=55037"/> <img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=55038"/> <img src="http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=55039"/>

Where do you access the engaging lever from

[catchinjack]

Where do you access the engaging lever from

Still from underneath as I have not rotated the gearbox YET, once I rotate it we'll cut hole to suit. But I really don't know if i'm going to bother, i'll see how I go with it as is as I do not go in deep mud crap etc so access to it shouldn't be a problem as is. I'm also making a little flap which will be secured by velcro to cover the hole to protect the dyneema as it doesn't like UV, easy to remove when i need to see rope etc.