Builds 2018 Premium 460 build (4 Viewers)

[BigSwede]

What's special about these?

Military grade, very durable. Also quieter than metal when bouncing around on the trail.

 

[Washingtontaco]

After 7 months plus waiting for my 2nd Victory Strike bumper it has finally arrived. But first a little back story.

I was one of the first to order the Victory Strike bumper when it was released in early May 2021. After 5 plus months it arrived. I got it home and was underwhelmed by the poor welds and joint fitment. So much so I contacted Victory by email and numerous pictures sent. They stood up for their product and agreed to make me a new Strike bumper, 2 months later the second bumper arrived. The welds and fitment of the joints were much better.

With that being stated I knew I wanted to modify this bumper right away for a roller fairlead. Why you ask? Simply, rollers roll and a hawes drags.

1st. Synthetic winch line starts to melt around 180 degrees. On a mid to heavy load pull the synthetic line will build up heat on a hawes and start to melt the line.

2nd. Using the hawes and rope thimble as part of the skid plate simply doesn't make sense. Victory is by no means the only manufacturer that builds there bumper with this design.

 

[Washingtontaco]

This past week I cut the front factory bumper and fitted the Strike and located the winch solenoid. I wanted the solenoid mounted remotely so I have good access and visibility to the winch line.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Solenoid location above the winch. Used the Warn remote mount plate, cut, drilled, and fitted.

 

[Bang Bang]

Very nice work. On the roller fairlead, are you using metal or rubber rollers? I have been using hawse fairleads with synthetic for a long time without issue even on long hard pulls. I tried using a roller setup once and my synthetic rope cut through the rubber roller on a hard side pull. Thankfully it didn’t break or damage the rope but I will only use a hawse with synthetic.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Very nice work. On the roller fairlead, are you using metal or rubber rollers? I have been using hawse fairleads with synthetic for a long time without issue even on long hard pulls. I tried using a roller setup once and my synthetic rope cut through the rubber roller on a hard side pull. Thankfully it didn’t break or damage the rope but I will only use a hawse with synthetic.

Thanks I had an engineer friend knowledgable in the industory verify my design.

Those are Delrin rollers. I‘ve used the Daystar plastic rollers in the past as well. The Delrin are much slicker surface to the Daystar or Hawes. Steel works as well. Rubber is to soft.

Look at a Hawes fairlead, see if you see scuff marks on it or a discoloration? That is melted winch line. If you removed the rope somewhere along the rope you will find a stiff section, that is melted line.

 

[Bang Bang]

Where did you get the rollers? All I can find are the daystars and those are the ones I cut in half with my rope.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Where did you get the rollers? All I can find are the daystars and those are the ones I cut in half with my rope.

I ordered Delrin the same diameter as the Warn rollers, had it cut to length and line bored by a local machine shop. The delrin assembly vs the Warn rollers is 3.5 lbs less in weight, bonus!

 

[r2m]

You probably purchased your Delrin from McMaster-Carr??

 

[Washingtontaco]

You probably purchased your Delrin from McMaster-Carr??

I don’t remember actually, on line for sure. It was cheaper than the machining though!

 

[Washingtontaco]

Another busy weekend in the garage. The Victory Strike is all mounted up, wired and ready to go. I ordered VHB tape for the outer parking sensors as the double back tape I have isn’t good enough for long term use. Still need to load the winch/line, install my spot lights and aim the driving lights.

 

[Washingtontaco]

A few more installation pics. Installed the winch/line, driving lights prior to bumper installation. Winch line attached using a constrictor knot.

 

[Washingtontaco]

 

[Washingtontaco]

The plastic washers previously posted were used to raise up the Rigid driving lights. The design of the mount is a bit off for 3” cube lights. Very common style of light IDK what went wrong over at Victory.

 

[r2m]

Holy COW! I happened to glance at the time you entered your post, 3:24 AM!!
Couldn't sleep dreaming about what to do next???

 

[Thed351W]

Holy COW! I happened to glance at the time you entered your post, 3:24 AM!!
Couldn't sleep dreaming about what to do next???

Some people are just wired to run in to the wee hours of the night, or to just not have very much sleep at all. I have my nights like that.

I'm starting to wish that I cut out my Victory logo, too.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Some people are just wired to run in to the wee hours of the night, or to just not have very much sleep at all. I have my nights like that.

I'm starting to wish that I cut out my Victory logo, too.

I really like the way that came out!

I work second shift and have for most of my aviation career so odd hours are my normal.

 

[r2m]

I really like the way that came out!

I work second shift and have for most of my aviation career so odd hours are my normal.

A little off topic but in my early years, before marriage and even a little into our marriage, I worked as a design engineer for a huge engineering company. In the early 1980's, CAD was new and there were no PC's. CAD was done off a mainframe computer with multiple work stations attached, each costing about $60k (1980 dollars) for each station. When they got a big contract and had to hire a bunch of designers, they had to do shifts since they couldn't afford a work stations for each person, hence 2nd shifts. Used to work 2nd shift, a straight 10 hours, 1400 to 2400, 4 days a week, Fridays off!
Loved it! Used to surf Huntington Beach Pier after work from about 2430 to about 0200 under the pier and moon lights. Then get up again and surf before work!
And 3 day weekends every week! Loved those hours.

Okay, back to OP again.
Thanks for indulging me for a moment.

 

[Washingtontaco]

A little off topic but in my early years, before marriage and even a little into our marriage, I work as a design engineer for a huge engineering company. In the early 1980's, CAD was new and there were no PC's. CAD was done off a mainframe computer with multiple work stations attached, each costing about $60k for each station. When they got a big contract and had to hire a bunch of designers, they had to do shifts since they couldn't afford a work stations for each person, hence shifts. Used to work a straight 10 hours shift, 1400 to 2400, 4 days a week, Fridays off!
Loved it! Used to surf Huntington Beach Pier after work from from about 2430 to about 0200 under the pier and moon lights. Then get up again and surf before work!
And 3 day weekends every week! Loved those hours.

Okay, back to OP again.
Thanks for indulging me for a moment.

Yes! Exactly this! 4-10s Monday through Thursday. Many of my trips usually start at 1:00 am when I get off work. Easy escape from the city. Numerous nights at ski resort parking lots for fresh turns in the AM.

 

[Washingtontaco]

Frosty here tonight!