RTH Needed: Warn VR EVO 12s Install on 80 Series ARB (1 Viewer)

[bonestock]

First off, about 4 beers deep. Got my ARB installed when I was able to get a hand. I was able to source a barely used winch at a reasonable rate. Out of the gate, will she fit without moving the control box?

I’m doing this by myself because my bride is somewhat disgusted with the recent spend level on my 80. I have 2 kids but, at 2 & 4, they’re not much help.

Sincerely,

Drinking Coronas while awaiting your reply.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

 

[Rusty Marlin]

GAWD I've been waiting for that moment!

I think you have the ruler rotated 90 degrees off, unless the winch mounts to the face of the bumper, rather than a dedicated winch plate.
Mine is mounted so the control box points up into the gap between the valance and the brush guard.

 

[bonestock]

I'd planned to mount it to t he face of the bumper and have the control box pointing towards the engine bay instead of pointing to the sky. Post up a pic of yours?

 

[Godwin]

Can you dismantle the winch and rotate the outer ends 90 degrees so that the mounting feet face the bumper mounts on the bumper and the control box remains up?

 

[gnob]

 

[Mayh3msHand]

I had to move the control box and make a bracket for it. Same bumper, same winch.

 

[bonestock]

I had to move the control box and make a bracket for it. Same bumper, same winch.

Pics of bracket? Make me one a charge me some good greenbacks?

 

[Mayh3msHand]

Pics of bracket? Make me one a charge me some good greenbacks?

I pulled the L shape bracket off of an old ranger fuel tank at the junk yard. Then flipped the bracket that came on the bottom of the control box.

 

[Mayh3msHand]

Pics of bracket? Make me one a charge me some good greenbacks?

I apologize, looking at your pics I didnt know there was a difference in a VR and a VR Evo. So this probably doesn't help.

 

[Roketdriver]

I have this exact setup. It will fit but it'll require 3/4" spacers and longer hardware. I made a control box bracket from some sheet metal and had to clock the clutch handle. Don't be a dummy like me and rotate it the wrong way. I installed it upside down the first time and had to pull it apart and redo everything.

It's also worth noting that I had to introduce the fairlead to the bench grinder in order to get it to tuck properly under the lip on the bumper. Lots of trial and error on this, doing a little bit at a time, test fitting, going back to the shed to remove more material, etc. But I did not have to do any drilling.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions or need more photos.

 

[Roketdriver]

This is where I had to remove material from the fairlead:

The idea is to have it tuck. Replace the pins with the giant long bolts that came with the winch.

 

[bonestock]

We managed to squeeze her in there. Has to do spacers and longer hardware as mention above. Thanks for the replies!!

 

[Roketdriver]

I'm making this comment out of genuine concern for safety, not trying to be condescending or rude, but I really hope that the current spacer setup is temporary. When winching, a lot of force will be going into the bumper, and it is better to have that pressure distributed evenly.

I hate plugging Amazon, but this was the only kit I was able to find when I did my install: Amazon product ASIN B00390RLLY
But nice job getting it in there with the control box in its original location, I wasn't aware that was doable

 

[Rusty Marlin]

What size nuts did you use for spacers?
Assuming
1) you used 3/4" (across the flats) and ignoring the points on the hex.
2) ARB bumper is .23" (6mm) thick and
3) they used A36 steel with a tensile strength of 58Ksi (at the low end).

perimeter of punch*.8Tensile*thickness= force to punch material
The punch shear load that can be sustained on any single nut is ~25,000#
If you consider the winch line all the way to one side and pulling just off center with all 12K pounds...You'll be fine by a factor of two (running the numbers it would be somewhere between 3 and 4, but I'm lazy today)

However, I agree with Roketdriver, more area is better. Less stress on structureal components is always a good thing.

 

[bonestock]

Good looking out. I’m not opposed to it being temporary. I didn’t really think it would be an issue.

 

[bonestock]

I'm making this comment out of genuine concern for safety, not trying to be condescending or rude, but I really hope that the current spacer setup is temporary. When winching, a lot of force will be going into the bumper, and it is better to have that pressure distributed evenly.

I hate plugging Amazon, but this was the only kit I was able to find when I did my install: Amazon product ASIN B00390RLLY
But nice job getting it in there with the control box in its original location, I wasn't aware that was doable

How thick are the RR spacers? If I’m going to take it apart again, I only want to do it once.

 

[Roketdriver]

How thick are the RR spacers? If I’m going to take it apart again, I only want to do it once.

The ones I'm running are 3/4"

 

[MyTwoToys]

How thick are the RR spacers? If I’m going to take it apart again, I only want to do it once.

Bonestock, I am looking at doing the exact same install, If you come up for air, can you send me a pic from the front

This is where I had to remove material from the fairlead:

View attachment 2846266

The idea is to have it tuck. Replace the pins with the giant long bolts that came with the winch.

View attachment 2846267

Rocket Driver, if using synthetic rope, wouldn't you use a different fairlead so there wouldn't be the need to grind these down?

 

[Funner]

Bonestock, I am looking at doing the exact same install, If you come up for air, can you send me a pic from the front

Rocket Driver, if using synthetic rope, wouldn't you use a different fairlead so there wouldn't be the need to grind these down?

Most would say to use a hawse fairlead rather than a roller.