Thread: Modifying ARB bar to suit winch

Well having looked at my DII ARB non winch bar I wouldn't try modify or hang a winch off a non winch bar without the manufacturer's approval (possible legal ramifications).

ARB put a sticker on their (my) bar stating "no modifications" to it.

It has been stated on this forum that with a cradle you can fit a winch to a non winch bar. My question would be, are the 'crush cans' the same between winch and non winch bars, if not the cans may not be capable of handling the extra weight. If not, can you get crush cans to suit a winch bar, you might then fit a cradle in/to the bar for the winch.

My option was to fit the winch in a cradle mounted in the chassis rails (referred to as discrete) behind the crush cans, in my mind this gained having the weight lower down and further back reducing the pendulum effect going over bumps.

This was all done on a DII, I don't know what chassis length you have between crush cans back to the first X member on the chassis.

It still requires the bar to be modified a little to allow the cable through, I'm happy this way.

Cheers

Mike

Same issue for me to so will be interested to hear the comments. I have an arb non-winch bar on my D3 and current choice is likely to be an OL winch bar but will cost a fortune. Might be the only option though.

Does anyone know if the plate the winch is mounted too is avail (see the middle pic of page 18 of the attached document) i know their is probably more to it than just buying the plate and welding it in but its the right shape and a good start
[ame]http://arb.com.au/media/products/3232200-16-25-362/ARB_3232200_fitting.pdf[/ame]

Hi guys,

Just so everyone is aware, it is not possible to convert a non-winch bull bar into a winch capable bull bar.

Cheers
David

If you want a winch on your car without buying a winch bar, fit a seperate winch cradle to the vehicle behind the bar, see them all the time on vehicles with alloy bars.

Can't see why you can't do the same with the non winch ARB bar.

Baz.

Originally Posted by ARB 4X4 Accessories

Hi guys,

Just so everyone is aware, it is not possible to convert a non-winch bull bar into a winch capable bull bar.

Cheers
David

Anything is possible if you have the right gear/time/money/skill/courage/stupidity, but that doesn't mean you should do it. Might be more helpful if you were to provide some explanation of why it is a bad idea rather than just say it isn't possible, some may just see that as a challenge

Originally Posted by Redback

If you want a winch on your car without buying a winch bar, fit a seperate winch cradle to the vehicle behind the bar, see them all the time on vehicles with alloy bars.

Can't see why you can't do the same with the non winch ARB bar.

Baz.

Hence the question as to whether anyone had .

I have found a fabricator willing to look at modifying the bar so it is winch compatible.
Also have access to cradle - so its horses for courses
- the bar would need modification (cutting & strengthening) if a cradle was fitted behind it so I am leaning towards the fabricator as they will strengthen and build a mount / cradle into the bar - of course its then not an ARB Winch bar but a XYZ winch bar.

Originally Posted by AnD3rew

Anything is possible if you have the right gear/time/money/skill/courage/stupidity, but that doesn't mean you should do it. Might be more helpful if you were to provide some explanation of why it is a bad idea rather than just say it isn't possible, some may just see that as a challenge

That is very true, AnD3rew!

The reason we state that this "isn't possible" is due to the design of our bars. A non-winch bar simply does not have the structure and bracing to incorporate a winch and the associated loads.

Many manufacturers simply weld (or sometimes bolt) a winch cradle into the centre pan to accept a winch. Our bars are built around a different principle and have the required bracing and support integrated into the structure of the centre pan at the time of manufacture.

Modifying the bar is not something we would recommend for a number of reasons (ADR and vehicle warranty to name a few).

Hopefully that makes a little more sense.