Factory GQ steel (winch)? Bar

[Patrol'n]

So I'm trying to figure out if my bull bar is ok to mount a winch to.

I'm told by a reputable shop that it's an ARB one, that was factory fitted by Nissan, however they also recommended a new ARB bar.

It's steel, and has the 'knock outs' cut into the top, and when I looked underneath has some reinforcing straps welded into the front metal work where the bolt hole markings are, (never drilled out though).

I've been told different things by different people, I will get a new bar if I have to in order to be safe but the thing is, I actually really like the bar that's on it, it's in very good condition, and less expense when not required is always good, since someone appears to have stolen the money tree from my yard... 😉

I can't see why it would have all the markings and the reinforcing straps if it wasn't designed for a winch, but I want to find out for sure. If it is definitely designed for a winch, then my other question is, what size winch can I go to, I was thinking a Runva 9500 or Avenger Mako 9500 or similar.

Any ideas anyone? Thanks as always

[Clunk]

Pictures speak louder than words ;)

[Patrol'n]

So true, so here's some picshttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/128.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/129.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/130.jpg[/IMG]


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[Patrol'n]

So pic 1 is inside the bar, the strap visible is matched on the other side of the knockout section, last 2 pics are of the top of the bar in front of the grill.

I really think it looks designed for a winch, but better safe than sorry.

Anybody able to offer some info?

Thanks again.

[threedogs]

The Runva is a very good affordable winch, a few here run one

[Patrol'n]

The Runva is a very good affordable winch, a few here run one

Thanks TD, any idea if this bar design will be ok to mount a winch?

[Patrol'n]

Bump, anybody able to tell from the photos if this bar is ok to fit a winch?

Please 😉

[threedogs]

Going on the knock outs it is a winch bar,
it may need a cradle to house the winch??
Does it have the front slot for a fairlead???
sorry for delay.
the big knock out is so you can see rope spooling on
and the smaller is so you can engage the winch etc.
you may need to rotate to end caps[gearbox] so the lever
is in the correct position easy enough to do

[Patrol'n]

Thanks for that TD, yep, there is a knock out in the front for the fair lead, if I need a cradle, any ideas for where to get one?

[Clunk]

are there 2 knock outs on the front for the fairlead bolts and 2 more lower down?............. if there are then you should be able to bolt up a winch with out the need for a cradle

[Patrol'n]

There a 4 bolt holes, I've taken another pic hopefully this shows the layout betterhttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/166.jpg


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[Clunk]

well in that case it does look like your good to go

[Patrol'n]

Then hi ho, hi ho, winch shopping I shall go!

Good good, thanks blokes 😀

[BigRAWesty]

There a 4 bolt holes, I've taken another pic hopefully this shows the layout betterhttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/166.jpg


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Geeze that's a light weight construction..
I'd be going a cradle to be sure.

[Patrol'n]

Fair comment mate, any ideas on where to get a cradle?


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[Clunk]

Geeze that's a light weight construction..
I'd be going a cradle to be sure.


really, so what thickness should it be?

[BigRAWesty]

really, so what thickness should it be?
Not so much thickness but there isn't much structure behind it.
Most winch bars have a bit for angle steel either vertical or horizontal which the winch mounts to. It spreads the load much nicer across the bar.
A shoit load better than a bit of 3mm plate anyway

[Patrol'n]

Not so much thickness but there isn't much structure behind it.
Most winch bars have a bit for angle steel either vertical or horizontal which the winch mounts to. It spreads the load much nicer across the bar.
A shoit load better than a bit of 3mm plate anyway

So would something like this welded into the bar be ok?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Steel-Universal-Winch-Mounting-Plate-Cradle-8000lb-13000lb-Trucks-ATV-/171820323903?hash=item28014a143f

[BigRAWesty]

That's a cradle so yes something like that to bolt to chassis and then fairlead on the bar..
Just make sure the cradles compatability as to me that one you linked won't fit without extensive mods.

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[threedogs]

Ideally wouldnt you have your winch bolted to a cradle that is seperate to the bull bar, like a capsule
then fit the bullbar over that.
@ Clunk it does look a tad light, maybe some 6mm plate over those
4 bolts with grade 8 bolts and HT washers, to bolt the winch in place.?
You will need a low mount about 9.5 ,The Runva is well priced IMO

[blocko05]

looks like a winch bar to me.

[Patrol'n]

Ideally wouldnt you have your winch bolted to a cradle that is seperate to the bull bar, like a capsule
then fit the bullbar over that.
@ Clunk it does look a tad light, maybe some 6mm plate over those
4 bolts with grade 8 bolts and HT washers, to bolt the winch in place.?
You will need a low mount about 9.5 ,The Runva is well priced IMO

So if I was to reinforce the existing metal work with some 6mm plate over the bolts, what configuration would be appropriate, simply weld 6mm strap over the existing vertical reinforcing strap, or are you thinking horizontal or connecting to the sides or something? Have people had good reliability from Runva winches? (Repeated reliable usage that is, I know when I need to use the winch, I'll be sorry I went cheaper if it doesn't work)...

[Clunk]

I would say that if that bar is indeed an ARB bar, then you shouldnt need any extra bracing........ I used to have an ARB deluxe bar, that had no extra bracing and winch was bolted directly to the from .................. the customer bar I have now has no extra plating (it's just thick)

[BigRAWesty]

So if I was to reinforce the existing metal work with some 6mm plate over the bolts, what configuration would be appropriate, simply weld 6mm strap over the existing vertical reinforcing strap, or are you thinking horizontal or connecting to the sides or something? Have people had good reliability from Runva winches? (Repeated reliable usage that is, I know when I need to use the winch, I'll be sorry I went cheaper if it doesn't work)...
I say give it a go. Bolt it straight to the bar.. Just be mindful of it and if it's flexing while winching then reinforce it.

[liftlid]

I say give it a go. Bolt it straight to the bar.. Just be mindful of it and if it's flexing while winching then reinforce it.
Even the ARB flex a bit.

[Patrol'n]

Alright, I think I'll whack one on and see how I go, I might winch a couple of times in safe conditions and see how it goes before I rely on it on the tracks though. One more question then, my dual battery set up is wired so that my passenger side battery is my starter and the original location houses my auxiliary.

The highest CCA battery I can fit in the starter tray is 590CCA, which is more than enough for my RB30, and my auxiliary is an all rounder 760CCA and 105AH. When wiring up the winch, which battery should I wire to?

I was planning on wiring to my starter, but I read somehwere that 590CCA might be a little on the low side for a winch, so perhaps my auxiliary is the go? (But would there be any risk to my fridge)??? (It operates via a Redarc SBI12 in case that makes a difference).

Not planning on any competition work or anthing crazy, but if I need it I want it to work!

Thanks again.

[BigRAWesty]

Always go the crank battery. Your altinator will be pushing 70 A unless you have fitted bigger. So the battery is more a capaciter to buffer any spikes and top up current if needed.


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[Patrol'n]

Always go the crank battery. Your altinator will be pushing 70 A unless you have fitted bigger. So the battery is more a capaciter to buffer any spikes and top up current if needed.


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Sounds good, reinforces what I was planning on doing. Thanks mate. By the way, is that light post sold or is it still up for grabs?

[BigRAWesty]

Sounds good, reinforces what I was planning on doing. Thanks mate. By the way, is that light post sold or is it still up for grabs?
Just Givin bloko a couple of days to reply as he was first in line. If I don't hear by this time tomorrow I'll let you know.

[Patrol'n]

Excellent, cheers mate


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[MudRunnerTD]

From the pics you have provided id say its a Winch bar for sure. A couple of pics of eh actual bar would be helpful though.

[Patrol'n]

I'll throw a pic up tonight if there's enough light to take a decent photo :-)


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[Patrol'n]

Not a great photo, but here's one that shows the type of bar.http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/206.jpg

(And yes, she's a bit dirty)....

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[Clunk]

well it does have the look of an ARB bar but the two center flashings carry on to the bottom of the bumper, where as I've only seen the go to the top of the bumper but I could very well be wrong

see pic for details

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/207.jpg

[Winnie]

well it does have the look of an ARB bar but the two center flashings carry on to the bottom of the bumper, where as I've only seen the go to the top of the bumper but I could very well be wrong

see pic for details

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/207.jpg
Some of those centre bits do go right to the bottom with ARB. Maybe they are older bars?

[taslucas]

That's mine and it looks the same design except for the two middle vertical bars don't go all the way to the bottom. As far as I know mine was not a winch bar but it was converted to one. Then I got a mate to strengthen it up.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/210.jpg

tappin from tassie

[taslucas]

As you can see it had been butchered to fit a winch.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/211.jpg
But it doesn't have that second knock out bit which would suggest it didn't start out as a which bar
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/212.jpg

tappin from tassie

[Patrol'n]

From what I've been told mine was factory fitted by Nissan, but made by ARB so it would date back to at least 1993, maybe the design of those bars was a bit different?


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[taslucas]

Yeah perhaps. I have no idea how old mine is. Yours definitely has the holes for a winch but if you're still a bit uncertain then you could weld in a bit more support

tappin from tassie

[Patrol'n]

Yep I reckon I'll fit one and try loading it up carefully and check for flex, if it moves then I can weld in some extra bracing


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[Patrol'n]

So just an update on this, the bloke at my local 4wd shop who fitted my long range tank confirmed it is definitely a winch bar, he recommends iron man 4x4 brand winches, does anyone have any reason I shouldn't go with an ironman branded winch?


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[Winnie]

I had an Ironman for years and it did not get much use but when it did it was always reliable.
I would have no issues recommending them to friends.

[jay see]

I heard that the aldi ones are renamed ironman ones.

[Patrol'n]

I heard that the aldi ones are renamed ironman ones.

So since I've never used or seen the Aldi ones, is that a good or bad thing? 😀

[jay see]

Hit and miss.

Two mates have used them, one got it replaced after the second use and never had a problem with the replacement and the other never any problem.

This was a few years ago tho.

[Patrol'n]

So it doesn't sound all bad then, especially if the replacement was problem free

[DaveGQ]

I had an Aldi one and it has saved my ass a few times. Very reliable from my experience. I think they were $399 when I bought mine.... not sure if they are still available tho.

The owner of the 4x4 shop that fitted mine said the same thing... "they all come out of the same factor in China, just with a different sticker on it"