cross-member/behind bumper winch mount

[yossarian19]

I have a M8000 mounted in front the cross-member, behind the bumper.
It is almost invisible.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157604557867782/

That is super badass.

 

[Weasel]

Mine also behind well in the front cross member:

New cross member and tray

It's pretty lo-pro:

I'd like to set the fairlead back inside the bumper and possible loose the drings on the front. Or maybe I'll just sell it and redo it.

 

[lazyxj]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/s...7604557867782/
That is super badass.

After living with the hidden winch for several years, there is a small problem with having it out of sight. You cannot see the line as it is spooled back in.
Winch line doesn't always rewind itself evenly, many times stacking on one side of the drum and possibly jamming itself. I added a small observation port that allows viewing and limited access to the drum, it isn't shown in the photos (I need to update). I shortened the line to reduce the incidence of this happening (less line to pile up).

Completely recessed winches have no view of the drum and if they become hopelessly entangled, will required dropping of the winch assembly to get at the line.
On the positive side, the winch is out of sight and the line stays cleaner.
In four years, absolutely no one has spotted or commented on the winch installation. It is about as hidden as it can be. The main downside of the winch is the added weight on the front end and its effect of handling.

 

[Weasel]

I shortened my winch rope to 50 foot. I was worried about the rope getting caught on the in the engine pulleys. Spool size is much smaller and manageable now. It's easy to get spooled right without looking. Carry the rest as a extension.

And yeah it's surprising how many people don't even think you have a winch. Even with the fair-lead and cable attached to the front bumper people don't see mine.

 

[CobraMarty]

Those 4 unused holes on the stock crossbrace almost look like they were there just for mounting a winch.
Would they have worked?

 

[rockclimber]

no way in hell the front crossmember is strong enough to mount a winch and actually use it to recover a vehicle.

 

[zachandandy]

Yes and no on the stock holes. Most winches hit the steering box if you try to shift them over that far. Obviously the sheet metal cross member isn't strong enough, but could be plated for strength. Iirc there was a warn hidden winch mount for the xj that bolted over the cross member and mounted a 6000 lb winch using those holes. It required no cutting or drilling I believe.

 

[reson46]

Those 4 unused holes on the stock crossbrace almost look like they were there just for mounting a winch.
Would they have worked?

Yes and no on the stock holes. Most winches hit the steering box if you try to shift them over that far. Obviously the sheet metal cross member isn't strong enough, but could be plated for strength. Iirc there was a warn hidden winch mount for the xj that bolted over the cross member and mounted a 6000 lb winch using those holes. It required no cutting or drilling I believe.

zachandandy is correct. Those four holes are spaced correctly and were used for the Jeep winch option. But I think the Jeep winch option mounted the winch in front of the cross member.

When mounting mine behind the cross member I had to drill the offset holes to miss the steering box.

Willy

 

[lazyxj]

zachandandy is correct. Those four holes are spaced correctly and were used for the Jeep winch option. But I think the Jeep winch option mounted the winch in front of the cross member.

The Factory winch sat in front of the cross member.
Here are some links to what the parts kit looks like.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1073279&highlight=hidden+winch
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1099330&highlight=factory+winch
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24496&pp=15&page=2
See page two
http://www.ramseypdfs.com/owners_search_pdfs/295153-D.pdf
Installation Instructions