Although a winch is still down on my FJ60 triage list, I can't help but ask about this. I really like the idea of a winch bumper up front but my experiences with getting stuck is that usually you need to be pulled out of whatever mess you are in backwards! I have seen some outfits where there are receiver hitches on the front and rear bumpers and the winch will fit in either place. The down side to that (I presume) is that the winch normally rides around inside the vehicle, taking up room and presenting a large dense object to come forward in a crash or sudden braking. So, here is my question. Can one have a winch on the front bumper which can be removed and attached to a receive hitch on the rear bumper? I assume that one would need a padlock on the front somehow and wiring harnesses going both ways. Maybe this has already been done. Or is it too complicated?
Winch Utopia?
- Thread starter Heartworm
- Start date
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A down side to the cradle mount receiver type is the weight of a good size winch & cradle, too much for some folks......plus from observations most of the time when your stuck in mud, access to the receiver is hindered and some digging will be required.....
If you do a search in the 60's forum you should find some threads on installing a winch in the rear, and I remember one thread from a while ago where someone used pulleys to thread the cable from a front mounted winch out the back.
If you're really concerned about being stuck and needing a backwards pull you might think about the manual solutions--trifor or blackrat winch, more puller power, or just use your hi-lift (you have a hi lift right?). If you are stopped on forward progress, chances are you won't need much of a pull backwards to get your traction again so you can back out under your own power. The manual solutions, while requiring some effort are more flexible and require little to no installation to use.
If you're really concerned about being stuck and needing a backwards pull you might think about the manual solutions--trifor or blackrat winch, more puller power, or just use your hi-lift (you have a hi lift right?). If you are stopped on forward progress, chances are you won't need much of a pull backwards to get your traction again so you can back out under your own power. The manual solutions, while requiring some effort are more flexible and require little to no installation to use.
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks Grant and 2MBB. Sounds like my utopian idea has few merits. It is sad when a beautiful theory is raped by a brutal gang of facts. As to running a cable back under the vehicle, THAT would be fun in the mud or snow. Somehow a winch up front appears as a crutch to get you further into situations where you should not be.
With us "smaller" trucks, you can take the wrong line on an easy trail and end up stuck like a turtle, just needing a little pull. That's where a winch comes in handy if you're the lead vehicle.
However, many people seem to think that they're invincible once they get a winch.
May be better to have a solidly mounted winch on the front and be creative if you need. As an example on a couple of occasions I've had to winch out backwards. This was accomplished by running the cable beneath the 60 to the rear. Using a Warn shackle bracket in a 2" receiver I ran the cable through the D-ring to steer the rear of the Cruiser toward the anchor.
they are nice when you are really nice and stuck and 1.) dont have a big enough truck to pull you out. 2.) need the extra line length to hook to a truck pulling you out. 3.) pull others out that are severely stuck (with you anchored) 4.) cool factor 5.) lots of odd and end kinda things and whatever else you can imagine.
My Warn M12k is one of the best upgrades I've made to my truck. There is a peace of mind knowing that you have it. I am a very conservative wheeler, I do not dive into situations with an "I'm invincible!" attitude. I do like knowing that if I can't make it over an obstacle or if I get a little sideways on a hill that I have the winch to get me back on track. I have seldom found the need to get pulled backwards. That may have to do with the kinds of trails we have here in the northeast. I wheel lots of forested hills with lots of rocks, I don't do mud.
