Winchcraft: The Dark Art

[Silverback]

I just got starter cable wires from Napa and relocated my solenoids. Built a bracket for it

 

[tx_shooter]

How long have you had it?

I have had it on my 4Runner around 6 or 8 months now I think. It was first used to pull my own 4Runner up a bad exit at Bridgeport but I have used it for a number of vehicle recoveries since then. Both at Bridgeport and from stuck trucks on build sites around my house. I like having the controller box up front for easy access to the aux power for portable air use too.

 

[Silverback]

I like the remote in-cab controls.. lets me keep my foot on the brake and not out that much pressure on the parking pawl.

 

[PSU Taco85]

My warn has treated me well. Had mine for 7-8 years. Used it a good number of times, mostly to help other people . I have no input on the other brands but warn has been around this long for a reason, the 8274 is pretty much indestructible. Parts are easy to come by if needed to, and the solenoid on mine was sealed from the factory. I extended the motor starter to the engine bay.

 

[TacoXpo]

What about these other brands? Come Up and some others that are getting good reviews. Hell that HF BadLands is what a bunch of YouTubers are using and not complaining. I never had an issue with my Warn M8000 though.

Edit.. cancel that HF recommendation.

But there are a shitload of winch comparison vids.

I would like to see the thickness and design of the bumper. If the bumper was stout enough, that should keep that from twisting. I have a winch in my garage where the same thing happened. Makes me think a good bumper would have c-channel or something to ensure the rigidity.

 

[Silverback]

I would like to see the thickness and design of the bumper. If the bumper was stout enough, that should keep that from twisting. I have a winch in my garage where the same thing happened. Makes me think a good bumper would have c-channel or something to ensure the rigidity

He replaced it with a Warn, so if so he might have that issue again. No idea.

 

[PSU Taco85]

It would be interesting to see if had a repeat issue. Watching the video I didn't see the bumper flexing but it would be hard to see at the mounting feed even if a little deflection occurred. I share the same opinions of that fellow on the video though. There are just some things you need to work when you need them to work, a winch is one of them. It reminded me of all the fan boys that liked the SPC control arms where the welds were breaking and the bushings/balljoints failing, but they just kept saying "they sent me out a new one no questions asked, great customer service!". Who cares if they keep sending you new turds in the mail, meanwhile your truck is down and you probably almost lost control of your vehicle

 

[Silverback]

I warped the winch plate on the AllPoo bumper I had many moons ago. POS.

 

[PSU Taco85]

I warped the winch plate on the AllPoo bumper I had many moons ago. POS.

Yeah the mounting area for the winch needs to be 1/4", I think the allpoo used 3/16" and then 10 gauge shell. The relentless I've had uses 1/4" for the mounting and 3/16" for the skin. I did have issues with the frame mounting portions, but that shouldn't cause a winch failure, just the bumper peeling off your frame, saw that happen first hand on my truck at Moab many years ago winching a guy up hell's gate before I beefed up the mounts.

 

[TacoXpo]

I warped the winch plate on the AllPoo bumper I had many moons ago. POS.

I had a friend with AllPoop sliders and they looked like pretzels!

 

[TacoXpo]

I had a Smitty 8k winch that sucked. Finally they replaced it with a 10k that served me well. I haven't had it on the truck in the last few years as I was trying to go on a weight diet. I think removing it saved me about $0.29 over the last few years!

 

[Silverback]

Yeah the mounting area for the winch needs to be 1/4", I think the allpoo used 3/16" and then 10 gauge shell. The relentless I've had uses 1/4" for the mounting and 3/16" for the skin. I did have issues with the frame mounting portions, but that shouldn't cause a winch failure, just the bumper peeling off your frame, saw that happen first hand on my truck at Moab many years ago winching a guy up hell's gate before I beefed up the mounts.

I need to beef up my mounts. Do you have pics of that?

 

[PSU Taco85]

I need to beef up my mounts. Do you have pics of that?

I do, I knocked out the stock studs and drilled out the holes replaced with 1/2” grade 8 hardware. Added a 1/4” reinforcement plate to the front of the frame horns

I made a backer for the frame horns out of 1/4 angle iron

added an extra crossmember

Drilled holes in the winch mount plate area of bumper for be new crossmember

gussets in key areas

Added another bracket behind the inside of the frame horn

 

[Silverback]

Oh that is awesome!! Hey what is that last picture of? I def need to put this on the list of shit I need to do.

 

[PSU Taco85]

Oh that is awesome!! Hey what is that last picture of? I def need to put this on the list of shit I need to do.

that last little triangle is the pieces that go on the inside mount of the back of the frame horn. Essentially, there is 1/2” of steel mount now for the bumper plus two additional mounts in the center right where the winch will be pulling from. The circular area where that triangle goes, this was before I added the gusset though.

 

[Silverback]

Ok, well there was a final pic that wasn't really a large photo just one that was attached. I was like a piece of 2x2 box about 3' log and it had like 3 2x2 box sections coming off it. It's not there now?? Looked like a 3-way hitch mount. Who doesn't love a 3-way with only one hitch going in? Am I right? Fuck actually it was a 4 way. WOOT!!

 

[Silverback]

Ok, now its making sense.. I was a similar shot of this photo. Disregard.

 

[TacoXpo]

that last little triangle is the pieces that go on the inside mount of the back of the frame horn. Essentially, there is 1/2” of steel mount now for the bumper plus two additional mounts in the center right where the winch will be pulling from. The circular area where that triangle goes, this was before I added the gusset though.
View attachment 40049

I did a very similar deal. The bolt I used to cross through the frame fit the hole with very little clearance just like Epstein got used to before he found out what it felt like to be fucked by Hillary.

 

[Silverback]

I have frame gussets from my bumper but I like that from mount design. Shit.. one more thing to add to the list. Just when I thought I was making progress. Shit I have rust on my arms and face from todays activities.

 

[PSU Taco85]

I did a very similar deal. The bolt I used to cross through the frame fit the hole with very little clearance just like Epstein got used to before he found out what it felt like to be fucked by Hillary.

LMAO, yes it is tight in there between the radiator and the existing framework. The juice is worth the squeeze, Epstein might not feel that way if we were able to ask him again though

I have frame gussets from my bumper but I like that from mount design. Shit.. one more thing to add to the list. Just when I thought I was making progress. Shit I have rust on my arms and face from todays activities.

Yeah, I can say that it's one of those do it once things and you'll never have to worry about it again. Those pictures are from probably 7 or 8 years ago. My bumper was basically falling off coming home from Moab around 2013. To just fix it like the stock wasn't going to happen it needed to be much stronger, overbuilt is under rated. I may have added another 15 lbs or so to the front end but the only way my bumper is coming off of that truck is if the frame itself rips in half (which might actually happen ya never know )