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Thread: Converting Bull Bar to take a winch

  1. #1
    peterf Guest

    Converting Bull Bar to take a winch

    Hi

    I have a bull bar on a 1990 Classic Rangie and was wondering whether it was possible to convert this bar to take a winch and if anyone knows someone in Melbourne that could do this for me. I'd prefer not to pay the $1,400+ ARB want for a new winch bar if I can avoid it.

    Thanks

    Peter

  2. #2
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    You have not said what brand etc so it's a bit hard.It will depend on the bullbar whether there is enough room in it to fit the winch.

    In general terms the best approach may be to make up a winch mount which can just be a steel U shaped winch cradle which is bolted to the chassis via the bumper mounts as is a bullbar. The winch then bolts to the mount via the normal mounts on the bottom.
    To get someone to do it will still cost a couple of hundred at least.
    Regards Philip A
    PS I have just today bought an obsolete towbar which I will cut to fit my rails . I have to shorten it and have one flange professionally rewelded . I have a portable winch cradle which fits a 50MM receiver. This could be an alternative for you as there is not as much fabrication involved. It would probably be cheaper as there is not as much fabbing but you would also have to buy a winch cradle which I already have.

  3. #3
    Homestar's Avatar
    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Subscriber
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    So, just to ask for a few more details on this, as I have just scored an ARB non winch bar for the RRC for a good price, and I too have an aversion to paying for a new winch bar, as it will be worth more than the car... Looks like Peter never got back with any details, but my question is similar. Does an ARB non winch bar have enough room behind it to mount a winch, before I run out and buy one? I can fab up a mount and tack it all together, then take it to work to have a profesional weld it all up properly. Apart from the winch, cradle and fairlead, do I need to buy anything else? I have or can get all the steel I need to make up a mount.

    Cheers - Gav
    Last edited by Homestar; 17th February 2011 at 07:40 PM. Reason: Typo
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

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    cant speak for the LR products but the entry level bar for a colorado/rodeo is a non winch bar, but just needs a fitting kit to turn it into a winch bar

  5. #5
    Homestar's Avatar
    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Subscriber
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sprint View Post
    cant speak for the LR products but the entry level bar for a colorado/rodeo is a non winch bar, but just needs a fitting kit to turn it into a winch bar
    Interesting. Does anyone know if ARB did anything like this? The photos I have seen, show that the 2 bars are similar in looks, but I don't know if this translates to them being similar behind the scenes...
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by bacicat2000 View Post
    So, just to ask for a few more details on this, as I have just scored an ARB non winch bar for the RRC for a good price, and I too have an aversion to paying for a new winch bar, as it will be worth more than the car... Looks like Peter never got back with any details, but my question is similar. Does an ARB non winch bar have enough room behind it to mount a winch, before I run out and buy one? I can fab up a mount and tack it all together, then take it to work to have a profesional weld it all up properly. Apart from the winch, cradle and fairlead, do I need to buy anything else? I have or can get all the steel I need to make up a mount.

    Cheers - Gav
    You can make the winch fit, however the non winch bars are made with thinner steel and so are more likely to bend in the middle. PLaces like millweld or what was cheezy racing (I think now fat racing) can mod the bar for you or if you can find a general engineering shop locally they would be able to reinforce the steel and cut a hole out in front to.

    ARB also made two styles of winch bar for the RR. The first had the centre section open at the top so you could see the whole winch anf therefore also fit a highmount with a little grinding. Later they changed the design and just had a couple of cutouts for the winch lever to be operated etc.

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