Winch inside stock bumper fzj80
- Thread starter 86tuning
- Start date
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I thought I would add my experience here as well.
I mounted a Harbor Freight Badlands 9000k winch and used the Smittybuilt winch plate just as the original poster. Everything worked out well but here are some points I think are worth mentioning.
1. The winch plate, which is for a Wrangler, does not mount directly and requires drilling new holes to match the spacing of the FZJ80 rails. I used the forward two holes on the frames rails and sandwiched the winch plate to the frame with the stock recovery hooks.
2. I moved the fairlead higher on the winch plate by drilling new holes on the fairlead. The stock holes placed the bottom of the fairlead too low.
3. Connect all wires to the winch before you put the winch on the plate or bumper back on. The was a bottom terminal that was a bear to put on without removing everything.
4. It is easier to remove the bumper from the frame bracket versus removing the brackets and bumper from the frame. Those bolts looked like they had red lock-tite and were a bear to remove.
5. I mounted my controller box between the battery and the back of the head light. By bending the supplied bracket which mounts to the winch, the box just slide right down in there and rests nicely.
I mounted a Harbor Freight Badlands 9000k winch and used the Smittybuilt winch plate just as the original poster. Everything worked out well but here are some points I think are worth mentioning.
1. The winch plate, which is for a Wrangler, does not mount directly and requires drilling new holes to match the spacing of the FZJ80 rails. I used the forward two holes on the frames rails and sandwiched the winch plate to the frame with the stock recovery hooks.
2. I moved the fairlead higher on the winch plate by drilling new holes on the fairlead. The stock holes placed the bottom of the fairlead too low.
3. Connect all wires to the winch before you put the winch on the plate or bumper back on. The was a bottom terminal that was a bear to put on without removing everything.
4. It is easier to remove the bumper from the frame bracket versus removing the brackets and bumper from the frame. Those bolts looked like they had red lock-tite and were a bear to remove.
5. I mounted my controller box between the battery and the back of the head light. By bending the supplied bracket which mounts to the winch, the box just slide right down in there and rests nicely.
- Thread starter
- #25
My buddy is really handy with a zipdisc. Sharpie marker, then cut, then clean up with a bit of solvent.
Me, I'm not so good with that. I had enough fun drilling holes in the winch plate with my cordless drill.
I don't plan on hitting stuff with my bumper, but at some point I may build a tube bumper inside the stock bumper. We shall see.
I've done multiple pulls with this setup, works pretty good. People are often surprised that I'm winch equipped.
Cheers!
Me, I'm not so good with that. I had enough fun drilling holes in the winch plate with my cordless drill.
I don't plan on hitting stuff with my bumper, but at some point I may build a tube bumper inside the stock bumper. We shall see.
I've done multiple pulls with this setup, works pretty good. People are often surprised that I'm winch equipped.
Cheers!
Does anyone know a supplier for the 80-series JDM winch covers like the one on the first page of this thread? My searches have not been fruitful...
Thanks in advance
AC
Thanks in advance
AC
Printable label sheet????
- Thread starter
- #28
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/274776-switch-relables-printable-single-sheet.html
I had mine printed up on glossy decal material. Buddy that works at a printing shop did it for me. Cut them out and stuck 'em on.
that is indeed a nice install and on a dime budget,hats off to you sir, and a local bc boy!
Wow i am very interested in a similar switch setup to power the factory hidden electrical winch i am working on
Moe
sleepycruiser
I will get by….I will survive -Touch of Grey LC200
I know this thread is several years old, but I have been contemplating doing something like this. For those that have done this do you still have it this way or moved on to a larger bumper? Any issues? Based on the pics above it looks like a pretty large winch could go in there. I don't need a massive winch.....just one that can pull some trees up a hill behind my house.
I know @LS1FJ40 is considering this as well.
I know @LS1FJ40 is considering this as well.
sleepycruiser
I will get by….I will survive -Touch of Grey LC200
Hmmm. I need to come check that out so I can get an idea.
This is right up my ally. Love it. Can't wait to start this project.
sleepycruiser
I will get by….I will survive -Touch of Grey LC200
Lets post any info, measurements, pics etc in this thread so maybe it will help one another.
I am gonna do this soon too. Just looking for a nice used Warn winch.
- Thread starter
- #37
Still going strong, haven't done anything other than the occasional pull, usually to rescue others. I've only had a few self-recoveries.
Got into a small accident when a car cut into my lane and I tweaked the left corner of the bumper shell, just enough for the plastic corner to rub the tire when turned. Since it was the left corner of my bumper contacting their right tail lamp, there was no issue with the frame or winch plate, etc. I simply hooked up a strap to a post and bent it back enough so I could drive for a few days while I waited for the new bumper shell to arrive.
While the bodyshop was painting my new bumper shell I took the opportunity to pull the winch out for service. Painted the drum, greased the gears, visual inspection of the brake, etc. Still using the same old amsteel rope. I also took that opportunity to swap my fairlead for a Warn aluminum one that has a fatter radius than my trail gear one. This time I got to practice with the zip disc on a freshly painted bumper. Hah!
My 8274 is still on the shelf waiting for a day when I can decide to cut my grille. I'd obviously have to re-do the winch plate and make a foot-forward winch carrier. And I would want to build a tube-bumper behind the stock shell at the same time. But I've had the 8274 sitting for two years, still no urge to upgrade a setup that works fine. Part of it is the work involved, the cost of a new synthetic rope, and cutting of the grille. If somebody has a cracked LX450 grille they want to sell me, I just might move the project up a bit. Then again, maybe not.
Also, I did put a house battery on the truck earlier this year, along with an aux fuel tank etc etc. Did not change the winch wiring. It's still connected as before to the start battery, which is directly connected to the alternator. The house battery runs through an ACR and basically offers me the peace of mind of a second battery so that I can jump start myself, assuming the fridge doesn't run it flat.
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Greetings from Finland, great place to be here and thought to give something.
I believe pics are self-explaining so i just say everything is made from blank steel from corners with measuretape and tools. Need to weld support for fairlead behind bumper stil...
Ps. Didnt have pic of relay, but installed it front of RH factory dual-battery, coolant tank fits nicely just by turning and pushing it front of LH battery.
I believe pics are self-explaining so i just say everything is made from blank steel from corners with measuretape and tools. Need to weld support for fairlead behind bumper stil...
Ps. Didnt have pic of relay, but installed it front of RH factory dual-battery, coolant tank fits nicely just by turning and pushing it front of LH battery.
4wheelspulling
The Brick!
Like what you guys are doing. My question, how do you keep the line on your winch stacked nice and neat if you can't see it? If it ends up under a rap, and you make a hard pull, your line can get stuck or damage it self? Been there before winching in the dark.
Thank you very much for this
