Winch-less ARB front winch bumpers...

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

wcbr

wcbr

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 10, 2010
Threads
23
Messages
154
Location
german village | OH
So I've been noticing more images posted lately of rigs with ARB winch bumpers that do not yet have a winch installed. I too am in a winch-ready state of winchlessness (not an actual word but it gets the point across).

. Personally, I do not "need" one, but plan to in the future. Better to have the option, right?

I'm curious to know how long Mudders tend to remain in this state.

Wc
ImageUploadedByIH8MUD Forum1438968755.162689.webp
 
Winch went in at the same times as the bumper for me
 
Got my winch with the slee short bus bumper the same day. I would have to remove the bumper to install the winch after the fact. Not sure or arbs
 
On*
 
I ran mine sans winch for a couple months. I have an ARB and ended up putting a SuperWinch TS9500 on it. I was able to install the winch solo without removing the bumper, I raised it into place with some webbing and a couple ratchet straps then bolted it on.
 
One can dream about winches you can afford someday...in the meantime, $299 gets you the good enough 12k Badlands winch from Harbor Freight. For the money, a darn good winch by all accounts. I'm happy enough with my Smittybilt, which wasn't much more than that. Then you can start saving for the wizard Warn.

Keep in mind this "winch gap" was more difficult to cross 20 years ago when it was high-priced brand name winches or nothing.
 
Ended up putting a Ramsey rep 8000 on my truck behind stock bumper for now cart in front of the wagon so to speak guy had it on craigslist in my area for $150.00 can't beat that price even a Chinese one and it works very well quiet no sand in the gears sound.it's slow but it will get my a$$ out of a jamb
 
Winch + bumper for me.
 
'Bout a year and a half now.
I'm taking donations.........
 
well, the funds excuse is what im sticking with....I had my ARB for so long it was pitting and corroding , and now it's been removed and sandblasted and fresh powdercoated and when it goes back on it will have a winch and LED's where the turn signals were.
 
I ran a winchless ARB winch bumper for over a decade. I will point out that all the winch bracketry had been cut off for a cleaner no-winch look.


when I moved the bumper to my current 80 and wanted to add a winch, I just needed to weld in a new winch "cradle". I purchased a universal winch mount cradle from HF and it welded in easily to the bumpers frame brackets (after trimming the ends of the cradle about 2"). Personally I like this winch mount method better than how it comes from ARB. It allows for "feet-down" winch mounting so the winch motor doesn't need to be clocked. Access is easy.



I have no idea if this is even relevant to the original question of the thread but I think if I had a normal ARB winch bumper I'd consider modding it in this way again.
 
wcbr said:
So I've been noticing more images posted lately of rigs with ARB winch bumpers that do not yet have a winch installed. I too am in a winch-ready state of winchlessness (not an actual word but it gets the point across).

. Personally, I do not "need" one, but plan to in the future. Better to have the option, right?

I'm curious to know how long Mudders tend to remain in this state.

WcView attachment 1117161
Click to expand...


I remained in that state for about a week. Then I proceed to bolt on the winch but it is not hooked up, this particular state will last a bit longer due to my laziness.
 
Bought a ARB winch bumper just in case I might want a winch in the future. Got it, mounted it, after five minutes decided I HAD to fit a winch in that open void ASAP. Land Cruiser Disease
 
I ran around ~1-1.5 yrs before a used M12K hit the market.

I had planned on a used M12K from the jump though, so not like I was staring at the hole w/o a reason. Got the used one for $500, spent just over $100 for the rebuild kit & spray-paint.

Now with it I've done a bunch of non vehicle recovery jobs made oh-so-much easier with a wired remote in hand, from use as a cherry picker to redneck bodywork to landscaping.

Someone mentioned & yes the ARB had to come off for the winch install, glad for that as I'm betting removal would take same, so slows down theft process.
Unless they have plasma.
 
OhmStyles said:
Got my winch with the slee short bus bumper the same day. I would have to remove the bumper to install the winch after the fact. Not sure or arbs
Click to expand...
i didn't pull my shortbus to get my winch in and let me tell you

not fun, not fun at all... by the end i was wishing i had...
 
Probably forever.
The winch version was easier to find when I bought the bumper.
If I could have found a winch less version, I would have bought it instead.
 
PO installed an ARB deluxe w/ LED day-timers & PIAA fog/spots. Winchless though. Not sure I will keep it as I prefer a lower profile.
 
OhmStyles said:
Got my winch with the slee short bus bumper the same day. I would have to remove the bumper to install the winch after the fact. Not sure or arbs
Click to expand...

A note on that... While it's certainly easier and way smarter to remove the ShortBus bumper to install a winch after the fact, it's not absolutely necessary, depending on the winch.

Once all the bolts were out (really, I double checked), I couldn't get the damn bumper to slide off. So, I managed to install my Runva 11,000 winch in place by taking it apart a bit. By taking the gear end off, like you would to clock the clutch handle, you can squeeze it in there and then put it back together in place. It does suck, though.

End sidebar.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom