My Hidden Winch Build

offrd3 · Dec 29, 2009

So I built my hidden winch about a year ago for a design class in collage and never got around to sharing it with everyone.

I always thought the hidden winch setups on the late 80's jeeps were cool or the warn kit. After much looking and reading about them I came to the conclusion that it would be impossible to find one.

Plus the way the bumper was moved out it would not work with the later style end caps that are also part of the fender flare that are on my 98.

So I set out to make my own setup that would retain the stock appearance. I used a 5,500 pound winch from harbor freight with a generic winch plate and proceeded to modify it. I mounted the solenoid box up in the engine compartment so it would stay nice and dry.

So here is my picture story

offrd3 · Dec 29, 2009

This is where I'm at now. A year later the winch still works great and looks good.

CanMan · Dec 29, 2009

I like it. :thumbup:

beakie · Dec 29, 2009

if/when you goto synth line and use a hawse fairlead it should look even better,

good work

Ba-Riedo · Dec 29, 2009

beakie said:
if/when you goto synth line and use a hawse fairlead it should look even better,

good work

Synthetic is the only way to go, of course I might be slightly biased.

The bumper looks good, if you had cut the front cross member and recessed the winch into it then braced everything else it would have been awesome.

-Alex

srimes · Dec 29, 2009

:thumbup:

RCP Phx · Dec 30, 2009

Yikes! If you use a popcicle stick you can get the JB Weld to flow out better!

discosteve · Dec 30, 2009

i dont like it.

i love it

offrd3 · Dec 30, 2009

Thank you I’m glad you all like it, I'm very happy with it. I agree about the synthetic rope with a hawse would look better I'm going to replace it when something happens to the cable. Yeah my welds didn't look pretty back then I was still learning, they have gotten much better since.

ehall · Dec 30, 2009

that's really nice design thanks for sharing

4.3LXJ · Dec 30, 2009

Ended up looking very nice. Unique design and functional.

KSXJ · Dec 30, 2009

I think a little larger support on the sides would have been better and a biggere winch. But the end results is supper clean. Really nice job. I may have to do this on my next XJ

Stihl029 · Dec 30, 2009

Nice job

Boghog1 · Dec 30, 2009

that is a great job

foxwar71 · Dec 30, 2009

RCP Phx said:
Yikes! If you use a popcicle stick you can get the JB Weld to flow out better!

the grade 5 bolts are a nice touch too.

its a great idea and a sleek look, but it needs to be built better. id like to see some more supports for that winch tray and better frame brackets. im diggin how the the 97+ bumper caps hide the look of the extend area in the middle.

MAY POP · Dec 31, 2009

Much better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Exellent job! Nice write up.

tbburg · Dec 31, 2009

Pretty cool.

Did you consider running the extended part of the bumper out to where the end caps hit the bumper?

offrd3 · Dec 31, 2009

foxwar71 said:
the grade 5 bolts are a nice touch too.

I used whatever i had around when i was mocking it all up and when i put everything together for the last time i used all grade 8 hardware.

tbburg said:
Did you consider running the extended part of the bumper out to where the end caps hit the bumper?

I did consider running the extended part the whole way but felt that by leaving some of the bumper at its original location gave it more of a factory appearance. It also left a protected place for the winch controller hookup.

Monkey55 · Dec 31, 2009

offrd3 said:

I like the design. I'm just concerned about those welds.
E

XJSnowMan23 · Dec 31, 2009

really sweet dude

My Hidden Winch Build

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