FJ62 winch mount location

[Adam Scherm]

Good evening everyone, after searching, I couldn’t find exactly what I’m looking for.

I want to build a front winch bumper for my FJ62, that has a good approach angle and strength that will be used primarily in snow and rock.

Here is what I’m looking for:
Where is the best place to position the winch?

Most commercial bumpers all seem to position it in front of the frame rails, but above. I figured for strength, wouldn’t it make more sense to build a low profile mount that placed the winch between the frame rails, instead of in front?

Here are pics of what I mocked up today. Any pictures of the way you mounted a winch/built a bumper in something other than ARB or a stock bumper configuration would be great!

 

[Adam Scherm]

For reference, here is what I’m using for reference. I know this is a Trail Gear, Tacoma bumper, modified by Yota Masters. But note where the winch is positioned, above top of frame rails, and in front.

 

[cruisermatt]

That's where I had mine for while. If cut or loose the valence panel there is nothing under it, tons of room to move it back and up a bit. Is that the winch you're dead seat on using? That control handle being vertical is going to limit you a bit, otherwise I'd go for a winch you can clock the control handle on. There are more pictures in my thread but this is what I did first, and then the second picture is what I have now. I was able to move the winch back about 4". In the current setup the bumper is independent of the winch mount and only adds about 2.5" to the front, but it's higher then the bottom of the front frame rail.
The brown 60 in the third photo is another idea and probably the best for approach but it has a 3" body lift.

 

[Adam Scherm]

@cruisermatt the second photo is a great example of what I’m looking for. Thanks.

I will likely build some more gusseting or steel around it so I can build a tube or plate bumper around it. Ideally something similar to 4x4 labs 80 series bumper.

Keep the pics coming!

 

[cruisermatt]

On a side note, I've found that getting caught up on leafsprings, U-bolts, and belly on medium size rocks is way more of an issue then approach angle trying to go up a vertical wall or rock face is. I'm hoping my new SOA helps with that (and your's too, looks like you haven't taken it out yet with all the fresh black paint) since there isn't really anything hanging down any more.

 

[Adam Scherm]

On a side note, I've found that getting caught up on leafsprings, U-bolts, and belly on medium size rocks is way more of an issue then approach angle trying to go up a vertical wall or rock face is. I'm hoping my new SOA helps with that (and your's too, looks like you haven't taken it out yet with all the fresh black paint) since there isn't really anything hanging down any more.

Yea, this has been a nearly 2 year project for me. Pulled from a field wheee it sat for 11 years. Completely bone stock when I got her with 336,800 mi
All I NEED to do is an air compressors for my lockers, plumb my brakes and get wheeling. But bumpers, sliders etc will be along the way

 

[Adam Scherm]

Anyone have photos of where their ARB bumper has the winch positioned?

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Winch mounts feet first with the 4 bolts through the front of the arb bumper. Two of the bolts also hold your fairlead. In this picture I am in the truck waiting for the little kids to stop laughing and tell me how to get out of the messed up line I took.

 

[Hamachi]

For reference, here is what I’m using for reference. I know this is a Trail Gear, Tacoma bumper, modified by Yota Masters. But note where the winch is positioned, above top of frame rails, and in front.

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I just came across your post.
Did you end up using the Trail Gear bumper on the Gray FJ60?
Do you have any pics of it from a few feet away?