Winch Mounting (types of mounting)

[Lunatic728]

Ok, before I go and get a lift, I figure I would give myself some recovery equipment, and armor. The armor is self explanitory and coming.

If I get this right there are 2 basic types of winch mounting

1. Permently mounted in a front winch bumper
2. Winch mounted in a cradle which then attaches via a 2" reciever

The question is which is the perfered method of mounting? I know with the cradle I can move if from the front to the rear whenever, but then there is the theft issue with this mounting.

Is there anything else that I am missing?

[FitchVA]

are you talking about theft while it's mounted to one of your recievers? if so, they make lockable pins that would securely mount the winch.

but as for input on which is better / more preferred, i haven't a clue.

[Jeff 98XJ WI]

I built my front winch bumper myself and also built a removeable winch tray which slides into some channels in the front bumper and then bolts in place. I can remove the four bolts and slide the winch and tray out. I plan to make a companion rear bumper which would allow the winch and tray to be slid into the rear bumper for those times when winching from the rear would be better. Also, the plan was to be able to remove the winch and leave it at home when not anticipating needing to use it. Building the quick disconnect fittings into the grill was a pain in the ass, and the parts got expensive quickly. It does look nice and works well so far though. I mounted the solenoids under the hood along the passengers side fender well and ran the control to the dash just left of the steering wheel on my '98. Again, it works well and looks good but was a PIA. I never ran cabling to the rear of the truck and in all actuality, probably never will. Once I mounted the winch up front and got it working I have NEVER removed it! I probably could have saved a lot of hassle by simply mounting the thing to the bumper and leaving it. YMMV. Jeff

[Goatman]

The prefered method is to mount it permanently. You will hear from the vocal minority about how much they love their multi-mounts......the poor XXX's don't know any better.

All of my friends who once had multi-mounts now have a permanent mount. If you do a search you'll come up with some good discussions, we had one not too long ago.

[2offroad]

Originally Posted by Goatman

The prefered method is to mount it permanently. You will hear from the vocal minority about how much they love their multi-mounts......the poor XXX's don't know any better.

Hey I resemble that remark. I like my Multi-mount, but my wife thinks I'm odd.


really look at both types, alot of good info.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...ht=winch+mount
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...ht=winch+mount
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...ht=winch+mount

[Mike in NJ]

Originally Posted by Goatman

All of my friends who once had multi-mounts now have a permanent mount. If you do a search you'll come up with some good discussions, we had one not too long ago.

Hey, so I'm not counted as one of your friends anymore?

(... or do you only count friends West of the Mississippi?)

First time that I really, really, really needed the winch was a situation which could only be handled from the back - convinced me that I did a good thing by having the versatility of a receiver mount.

Besides, it would have undermined the reasons for getting that nifty, custom Utahanite front bumper built!

Mike in NJ

[Ralph]

I too prefer a permanent mount in the front. Most useful in the front, can be mounted closer and higher for better approach angle, having to install a winch on a slope or in the water or mud is a pita, don't have to worry about if its stowed safely.

RR3

[Goatman]

Originally Posted by Mike in NJ

Hey, so I'm not counted as one of your friends anymore?

(... or do you only count friends West of the Mississippi?)

First time that I really, really, really needed the winch was a situation which could only be handled from the back - convinced me that I did a good thing by having the versatility of a receiver mount.

Besides, it would have undermined the reasons for getting that nifty, custom Utahanite front bumper built!

Mike in NJ

Figured I might step on my pee pee with that remark, but I was in too much of a hurry to change it. I didn't know you had a winch on a multi-mount. I should re-phrase my comment to none of my regular west coast wheeling buddies have a multi-mount any more.

Why did you need to winch yourself backwards, were you by yourself?