Vortex Winch Installed on Factory Bumper (1 Viewer)

[Pin_Head]

You can cut the plate with just about anything that cuts metal. I used a Sawsall with metal cutting blade and it made short work of it.

The only significant difference I can see between the HF winch and other Chinese 12K winches is they use a 234:1 gear box instead of a 265:1 gear box. Other Chinese winches use the 234 gear box on 10K rated winches. All of these parts appear to be mix and match, so you could make your own brand just by changing the decal on the motor.

 

[baggar11]

On my install, we used an angle grinder with cut off wheel.

I'm about to mount a Harbor Freight 12000 lb winch in my stock front bumper using the channel mount from Harbor Freight. What are you guys using to cut the channel mount? An angle grinder with cutoff wheels?

By the way, I noticed from the pictures the Tuff Stuff winch looks identical the the HF winch I have. Also, Tuff Stuff sells replacement parts including motor and gears for that winch.

 

[StickyRiceEater85]

Sweet!

 

[robertaleon]

Where are you guys getting the HF winch mount - in my stores they don't exist and online it's status is constantly "Backordered"?

 

[Pin_Head]

Where are you guys getting the HF winch mount - in my stores they don't exist and online it's status is constantly "Backordered"?

Google winch channel mount

Summit Racing SUM-932002 - Summit Racing® Winch Channel Mounts - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

[robertaleon]

Yeah yeah - saw that one but people keep referencing HF and I rather walk into a brick and mortar and use my 20% coupon. Guess I'll have to give Summit some money.

 

[supercarrera]

Summit's also got this mount:

Summit Racing SUM-932001 - Summit Racing® Winch Channel Mounts

This appears to be the smittybilt one that others have used. It seems to be not as wide as the hf one so the fairleed is a bit more recessed. And not as much of the bumper needs to be cut up. I might get this one instead and return the hf one I have.

 

[baggar11]

I tried getting the HF one first too, but the guy said that he hasn't had it in his store for a while and that he was telling other customers that they aren't selling it anymore. He thought HF might be trying to come out with a newer version, but didn't know for sure.

In my case, I ended up buying the summit racing one from the link that Pin_Head posted. With shipping, it was about $4 cheaper than what the HF one would have been for me anyways.

Where are you guys getting the HF winch mount - in my stores they don't exist and online it's status is constantly "Backordered"?