WInch mounting options?

[mccgsm]

I've gotta hang my REP 8000 on a 96 explorer..yeah! I'm aware of bumpers by Road Armor, grill guard mounts from TJM bull bar and Ramsey; anyone know of other options? Experience with any of the kits mentioned above? thx!

 

[Dre]

See, I don't know if Smittybilt makes tube bumper for the 96 but that's what I've got on my baby now. Smittybilt tube winch bumper. It takes 5000-6000lbs winches but I've heard that it takes 8000lbs with no problem. I welded some reinforcements onto mine to make sure it will take my ProPlus 8000 from Ramsey. You can use Warn mounting plate with that. Ramsey mounts right on it with no problem. The whole set-up cost me around $360.00 shipped plus $80.00 for sandblasting (need that to weld reinforcements and lights mounting tabs) and then some for powdercoating. I used POR-15. Looks good and I think it will perform good as well. Dennis Myers has exactly the same set-up on his and loves it. Check with http://www.4wheelparts.com
for more options.

I bought mine from them.
James Duff is comming with a brand new winch bumper soon. Check their site.

Good luck!

 

[gijoecam]

Reese, Hidden Hitch, and Draw Tite all make front mount recievers.... they also sell a winch mounting plate that slides into them. The major advantage to going that route is that you can remove the winch when not in use for safe keeping, as well as storing it out of the elements (nice if you live in the salt belt like me!). Also, if you ever get so stuck that you can't go forward, you can pull the hitch off the front and slide it in the rear reciever and yank yourself out that way. It's nice if the best way out turns out to be the way you went in.

Just another option... I think I'm going to go that way on my truck when I finally get a winch for it.


-Joe-

 

[Carver]

I have the Warn 9000i mounted on the Trans4mer mount on my 96 XL with brush bars and tow hooks. It mounts around the bumper direct to the frame and also has cross connected re-inforcement straps back to the frame. I'm sure any type of winch could be mounted to it, although it is pre-drilled for Warn. Check it out at

http://www.warn.com/Home/

Mine looks just like the picture after you select mounting systems.

I've had two winchs before, a Ramsay 8000 on a 72 Blazer and a 12000 on a 86 Bronco. The Blazer was a hidden mount that looked great, but was a pain in the butt when you needed it in the mud and grime. The 12000 was on a step bumper. I like the Trans4er mount better than the others. I think the whole kit is about $300 or so. Highly recommended!