Did my ARB winch bumper arrive missing parts..??

[jjdeneen918]

I bought my ARB winch bumper about 4 months ago.

Today I went out and got a Smittybuilt XRC-10 winch.

So, I'm talking to the guy at the counter at 4 Wheel Parts...

Me: What type of winch plate do I need to complete my install?
Him: You don't, the ARB is ready out of the box.
Me: Really....?
Him: Yup, just mount it to the holes that are already there.

So I scratch my head, still confused. I tell the guy there is just a big empty void where the winch is going to go.

Dude checks his computer, says there are no notes or mention of needing a winch plate for that model of ARB, per his checking of ARB's website.

We go to the parking lot and he looks at my rig, He tells me it's too late to call ARB, (about 6pm) to verify.

Tells me to call tomorrow and have someone figure this out.

SO:
Did my ARB come to me minus a winch plate?
Did it not come with a winch plate cuz its on my dime to supply?

The best pick I could find on my computer is a pick of my PA speaker (which now needs to e relocated), but the photo is basically looking straight down towards the ground from above the bumper.. A big hole with nothing to attach said winch.

 

[Koffer]

you mount it to the flat part in the front , that is your mounting plate

 

[jjdeneen918]

just to the left of speaker is the passenger frame rail and temp sensor cover (round thing) dealy-thing...

there are 2 holes in the side of the bumper, along the frame rail, empty now.

on the top of the frame rail, (in the area of the temp sensor housing) are two bolts that go through the frame and attach the bumper to the frame rail, underside is the stock tow hoops...

 

[Koffer]

see pixs in this post
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-...d-smittybilt-not-fitting-arb.html#post4455449

 

[80t0ylc]

jjdeneen918:
You should have got two 6" bolts with the mounting hardware supplied by ARB. They are to replace the vertical roller pivot pins if you use a roller fairlead. Ihe ARB should also have included basic winch mounting instructions for a roller fairlead. The link referenced in above post shows my rig and the winch mounted to the ARB. It is your responsibility to provide the rest of the fairlead and winch mounting hardware along with the fairlead of your choice. The OP of that thread was trying to use a Smittybuilt fairlead and as you can read in that thread, the holes in the ARB were not lining up with the fairlead. I used a Warn fairlead, part # WRN 5742.
Edit: you will prolly have to drill new holes for the other 2 fairlead bolts and winch mounting holes.

 

[jjdeneen918]

Cool! Thanks for the warn part number, I'll order it today.
I put the winch up to the plate, the winch is a bit to long to fit. It looks like I'll be making a 3/8" to1/2" spacers to get it to fit.

 

[e9999]

feet forward is a better way to mount also in any case, just make sure the drain holes if any are in the correct direction (down after mounting) on the winch

 

[concretejungle]

i used washers stacked for use as spacers to space my t-max off the front of the ARB so it would fit properly.

 

[e9999]

i used washers stacked for use as spacers to space my t-max off the front of the ARB so it would fit properly.

probably better to spread the load with a plate, though, no?

 

[jjdeneen918]

The Warn fairlead is $125. !!! Holy crap!
I called Smittybuilt and they said the fairlead I have is the only one they carry. They also said they have never had anyone call or hear of there fairleads not being compatible.

For an extra 125 I could be getting a better winch.

Does anyone know if the T-max or other brands come with the smaller fairlead, or is just Smittybuilt?

 

[80t0ylc]

Warn accessories have always been $$, but usually top quality. Can't speak for the other brands, but I think the ARB is set up for the heavy duty fairlead. Maybe other brands that don't fit are not as HD. I guess it's possible to use the other fairleads on the ARB, with some modification and sacrifice in off camber winching performance. You could always go to synthetic cable and use a Hawse fairlead. The nice thing about the Warn 5742, you can get synthetic rollers for that fairlead if you decide to go from wire rope to synthetic. They're about $37.

 

[LCAdvocate]

Had the same issue with mine. The S_ittybilts have to be mounted against the front and there are clearance issues. I packed my 8K# out with stainless washers nearly 3/8" and the ground still nearly contacts the bumper. The ARB is made to accept a Warn model or two beautifully and in the upright position.

 

[SoCal_80]

Cool! Thanks for the warn part number, I'll order it today.
I put the winch up to the plate, the winch is a bit to long to fit. It looks like I'll be making a 3/8" to1/2" spacers to get it to fit.

Yep, you will need spacers.... 1/2''x1''x6''

 

[concretejungle]

my tmax came with a fairlead. don't know what size, larger or smaller than the warn.

e9999, i'm no engineer, but i can see your point. However, i don't really think it's a big issue. I have winched some pretty good loads with mine and the current stacked washer set-up; while my buddy jfz80 has used a bar or plate to spread the load like you suggest. Neither of our ARB's have signs of stress dents from the load being too concentrated.

 

[e9999]

my tmax came with a fairlead. don't know what size, larger or smaller than the warn.

e9999, i'm no engineer, but i can see your point. However, i don't really think it's a big issue. I have winched some pretty good loads with mine and the current stacked washer set-up; while my buddy jfz80 has used a bar or plate to spread the load like you suggest. Neither of our ARB's have signs of stress dents from the load being too concentrated.

I don't know how much of an issue this is, either. Proof is in the pudding as they say. However, I would think that there is more to it than the ARB getting dented. There could also be an issue of the winch feet and body getting damaged if they are not fully supported, depending on the design. Probably not a major worry, though.

 

[80t0ylc]

I don't know how much of an issue this is, either. Proof is in the pudding as they say. However, I would think that there is more to it than the ARB getting dented. There could also be an issue of the winch feet and body getting damaged if they are not fully supported, depending on the design. Probably not a major worry, though.

The main issue, according to my Ramsey owners guide: "It is very important that the winch be securely mounted on a flat surface so that the three major sections (the motor end, the cable drum, and the gear housing end) are properly aligned." Then they talk about some mounting kits and then: "The mounting surface must be flat within .015 inch and sufficiently stiff to resist flexing. If a flat steel plate is used for mounting, it should be 3/4" inch thick."

I understand these are ideal conditions, but it looks to me if one is using spacers. don't know if washers are such a great idea. I would use single piece sections cut from same stock with through holes for the spacers. One thing to consider is that when winch is under heavy load, operator should be a safe distance away. So any flexing of winch and/or mount during heavy pulls would be difficult and dangerous to observe. There may or may not be evidence of this left on bumper so failures might come suddenly, but most assuredly violently.

 

[jjdeneen918]

I would imagine the ARB could flex slightly under stress but don't think it would ever fail.
My concern would be that it could flex enough to stress, crack, break the cast iron housing (the feet) if the actual winch.
I'll use some beefy plate just for piece of mind.

To go off topic again. When I brought my winch home the other day I was playing with it. Turned to free spool, ran out a few feet of line, rolled it back up.
It's still sitting in the box, but now I can't turn the spool lever. Is my winch already acting up or should I wait tip it's secure and wired up before expecting to to work?

 

[sdog]

that happens a lot with a winch, the drum just stopped with a real close ""tooth to tooth" alignment inside the clutch end. If it was wired up or even just mounted you could give it a yank or pop the button real quick and it would be fine. this happens with all winches, far as I know.
And yes, buy as many warn products as you can from here on.... don't try to save money on winches. You won't come out ahead.

 

[Bogo]

Yep, you will need spacers.... 1/2''x1''x6''

A set of spacers like that came with my ARB bumper.

 

[jjdeneen918]

I bought the Warn 5742, it looks like it'll fit.

It has "PEP CHINA" on the side. I thought warn stuff was made in America???