Warn 9.5XP winch Installation

[4wheeler]

Hi All,
I need some advice on a winch installation please.

I have just fitted up a Warn 9.5XP winch to a 2007 Puma with an ARB winch bar (current model). I purchased the ARB winch installation kit which has instructions indicating that the lower grill has to be cut out and a reinforcing plate added to support the cut sections. I have fitted the winch without chopping up the lower grill and there seems to be enough clearance between the winch, winch cable and the grill. Do I need to cut into the lower grill as per the instructions?

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

[Bundalene]

Hi. I fitted an XP 9500 to our Puma a while back and had a lot of trouble. I had no instructions as the winch came off another vehicle and I made my own fitting kit. My problem was finding a suitable position to fit the free spool lever. I rotated the end to every conceivable position and finally decided to notch a few mm out of the top inner lip of the bar itself to allow the handle to be turned. I didn't consider cutting the grill (didn't want to) - this would also be an option.

This is the only pic I can find, I have more somewhere



http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/6851/dscn0228e.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/dscn0228e.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)



Will try to do a post on this shortly.


Eruch

[4wheeler]

Hi Bundalene,
Thanks for the reply.
The winch I have is the newer model which has a new style spool lever and control box. There is plenty of room for the lever to operate and the winch fitted without drama and I did not have to modify the bar.

I suspect that as the winch installation kit is for winch sizes up to 12000 lbs (a much deeper winch) then I feel I probably won't chop into the grill unless I find that the cable fails to spool properly when used. You would if you fitted the larger winch. Anyone else fitting these, I would not hack into the grill unless you have to.

I purchased the winch direct from the USA and even with duty and freight I saved a few dollars. Only took 3 days from the U.S. door to door. I don't understand why they are so expensive here. I wanted to buy from Australian suppliers but no one could match the U.S. price. I paid a little over the cost of the cheapest price offered in Australia for an XD 9000.

I saw your post with your build up regarding the bar and winch. My bar was one of the first fitted and have had no clearance problems. I can remove the headlight surrounds, grill, etc without issue. There are no additional spacer blocks.

Note that the winch motor has drain holes which I had to "swap" as the winch is mounted feet forward. The drain hole is designed for the original set up of feet down fitment. You just have to swap where the silicone sealant goes otherwise it won't drain properly. After fitting up the winch I would think it could be done in an few hours including fiddling around with the motor and gear box orientation.

[gt4]

i fitted the factory winch and bar to my 2011 model, and in the instruction it also said to cut away the lower part of the grill, which isn't really necessary.

[4wheeler]

i fitted the factory winch and bar to my 2011 model, and in the instruction it also said to cut away the lower part of the grill, which isn't really necessary.

Hi GT4,
Yes, I agree. After looking at the setup again today you would only need to modify the grill if a deeper winch was fitted. ARB might need to modify the instructions in the installation kit to reflect this fact.

[gt4]

interestingly the factory landrover kit (which comes with all the wiring etc) didn't come with a "battery isolator", so i had to purchase one of these just in case the solenoid (which is separate and mounted in the battery compartment) fuses .It did however come with a switch to turn the solenoid "on and off" , so the battery isloator is a safety/peace of mind thing. I was looking at replacing the steel wire rope with the aftermarket fibre rope but am hesitant as even though it has a good breaking strain, it seems they (fibre rope)are more susceptible to breaking through friction/heat.I realise that this can happen with SWR but it takes a lot more. So i would be keen to hear your experiences/thoughts or other members who have used fibre (dyeema?) rope.:)

[Greyfox]

What is the LR Electric winch and hevy duty bumper bar part # VUB500820 like. Has anyone fitted this iption and what does it perform like how strong is the heavy duty bumper bar, what was the cost of this option, is it good value for money.
Thanks Allan :eek:

[gt4]

i have a 2011 deefer, and i fitted the factory winch and bar ,the bar is very well made and the winch is as you would expect. Fitting was straightforward except for adding a batt isolator.

[TimNZ]

Here's a thread I put up on fitting a Warn 9.5XP and ARB bar to my 2008 Puma, didn't have to cut anything

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/57967-fitting-arb-bar-warn-9-5xp-defender.html

Hope this helps,

Tim

[Loubrey]

gt4,

I've used synthetic line on my winches since the early 2000's and I've not had a single failure, and I’ve been privileged enough to have travelled some serious terrain in Central Africa. A few points to consider:

· The line is spliced back on itself creating a bond under tension many times stronger than any mechanical bond, thus creating a stronger hook fixing than ever possible with steel.
· Synthetic line is soft to the touch and does not create splinters, thus making it easier to handle (not that it mitigates wearing gloves!)
· Should the unlikely happen and the line snap, no kinetic energy is carried and the line will drop dead under your winch blanket.
· Synthetic line floats and can be seen on the surface prior to tension being taken up on a water based winch. This is due to the fact that 30m of synthetic weighs up to 12 times less than the comparable wire rope.
· Dynema as a material is 5 times stronger than steel under tension. The quality of the braid, weave and splicing will determine how much of this strength advantage is carried into the finished product.

One negative though, you will do well to have a cover on the spooled up line as with all synthetic products UV damage will occur over time. On the other hand without proper care a wire rope will very quickly succumb to terminal rust.

As always there are various brands on the market and some manufactures try and lure you with attractive colours and accessories. The standard blue line in around 10mm (11 if you drive a heavily laden 130) available at many reputable suppliers has served me fine over the years, and from doing local pricing it’s usually very competitively priced.

If you want more info, these are a good read.

Superwinch Parts, Electric Winches, Winch, Bumpers, Dyneema® Bowrope, Ropes, Chains, UK - Goodwinch.com (http://www.dborc.co.uk/goodwinch/dyneema.htm)

Cheers,

Lourens

[4wheeler]

Here's a thread I put up on fitting a Warn 9.5XP and ARB bar to my 2008 Puma, didn't have to cut anything

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/57967-fitting-arb-bar-warn-9-5xp-defender.html

Hope this helps,

Tim

Thanks Tim,
Great information. I did do a forum search but did not find your post.
I have the later style bar. I noted your reference to the "packers" for the 9.5 XP. In some information I got from ARB it mentions the packers/spacers for the bar and I mentioned this to the sales person. They checked on their computer and had no reference to them. My winch was installed without the packers (which were not mentioned in the install kit) and the winch does not foul on the bar and operates correctly. If I used packers then I think I would have to cut the grill as the tie rods of the winch would probably push into the lower grill depending upon the packer thickness. Currently there is around 5mm clearance between the tie rod and grill which I hope will be enough for chassis movement on rough roads. If not, it will be out with the saw.
I think the isolator is a good idea just in case there are problems with the winch or lower life forms decide to short out the control box and crush the car with the winch cable!
I am going to file a bolt down to replace the "T" headed bolt of the earth cable and see how that goes. Failing that I will use a new terminal end and the spare earth cable I have from the winch installation and fit this to the gearbox as per original fitment.

Thanks again for all the help.

[clubagreenie]

In relation to O/S vs local pricing and ARB. I priced up importing a pair of lockers then hit the local ARB. Not only did they try to say that they wouldn't be warranted unless they fitted (an extra $600- each) they wanted 40% more per locker than importing it.

When queried, since they had to be sent over to the US and then back, and possibly get duty as well and still be cheaper, how many they sold apparently they average 2/week and have no trouble selling them and the install and thats just business.

I told them that it's pretty bad business to rip off your local customer base and that their 2 per week must be going to suckers in patrols and toyos. He didn't appear happy.

[Greyfox]

Hey gt4 what was the cost of the LR bar and winch. Did they have them in stock or did you have to wait long for them to arrive in stock did you get the A frame protection bar as well. Thanks Allan

[gt4]

greyfox, the whole lot had to come from england, it took about 2 months, there is a HUGE variance in prices depending on dealers, so it pays to make more than one call . Pm me please.
One thing though, you will need to order the Heavy duty front springs (around $90.00 each) for the front if your vehicle isnt allready heavy duty optioned. Its a pity you cant order the bar by itself, then it would be more cost effective, on the plus side your are covered by warranty (Landrover), and seeing as mine is pretty new and is allready racking up the kays,, I dont want any warranty issues going back to using non standard stuff. hope this helps!