Thread: does the lower front grill need cutting to fit a winch

I was in at ARB a few weeks ago, and the helpful fellow in the store said for a deluxe bar and current Defender, the following winches fit:

XDS9000
Xeon 10000s
M9500

From memory he said the M10000, M12000 would not fit

I cut mine...
and then discovered a new genuine grille frame (not the grille) cost 300 pounds

Originally Posted by simonfish

thanks guys, I have measured and I don't believe the 9.5xp will fit, I will go with the m8000-s, as it is not as long as the xd9000, so will fit fine.

Thanks for all the advise and patience.

Goodness No!!!!!

XD9000 minimum.... Or stop throwing coin away and get a Runva 11XP

They at least are water sealed, and the warranty will cover them.

A Warn, once there is the slightest hint of rust inside the unsealed unit voids warranty.

They do this very easily - My brand new 9500XP hadnt even been in water - just rain - and the motor was rusted inside.

I fitted a Warn 9.5 XP to the current modern version of the ARB deluxe bar which was fitted in 2010 to a 2007 Defender 110. While the instructions and fitting kit advised that the lower grill panel had to be cut, I could not see why as I fitted the winch and trial fitted the grill just in case. There seemed to be plenty of room so I didn't cut the grill. There was clearance of probably 15 mm between the tie rod and the lower grill.


I now have that same winch fitted on my 2013 Defender 110 which has the older style ARB winch bar fitted. Even more room!

Grill cut only necessary for M12000 Warn and above

I think if you wish to fit the winch without removing the bar, the grille may require cutting. FWIW I have a 12000lb fan cooled warn winch in my deluxe bar and only had to trim a small section to allow running of the air line for the remote mounted fan

Originally Posted by Cammo

I think if you wish to fit the winch without removing the bar, the grille may require cutting. FWIW I have a 12000lb fan cooled warn winch in my deluxe bar and only had to trim a small section to allow running of the air line for the remote mounted fan

No, it only requires removing

6 screws....

Originally Posted by simonfish

thanks guys, I have measured and I don't believe the 9.5xp will fit, I will go with the m8000-s, as it is not as long as the xd9000, so will fit fine.

Thanks for all the advise and patience.

Simon,

The correct rating size etc for a 90 would be the Warn XD9000 (the 8000 is too light for a loaded 90). I have one fitted to my Puma for the last 4 years and no fitment, rust, solenoid, cutting bits out or any of the many perceived and listed issues. I don't have the ARB bar, but the now discontinued Front Runner which is remarkable similar to the ARB Commercial.

I used to have an XD9000i (bridge model) fitted to my 90 when I built roads in Central Africa and it was used near daily and IMO still the best non competition winch available.

My brother still uses that same XD9000i and it now 18 years old with minimal maintenance. While I appreciate quality has dropped over the years to maintain financial viability the old adage still rings true - you get what you pay for.

Cheers,

Lou