Discrete Winch Mount

Forgetting the argument regarding frontal collision protection for a moment that a bull bar provides there is also the other main benefit of improved ramp angle, so I'll ask the question has anyone here used a 'discreet winch' in anger?

The reason I ask is most tracks in Australia where you might need a winch I would imagine are some what rougher often with large boulders and rocks then I would expect in the UK where I'd guess winches are mainly used because of mud.

That being tha case I would have thought over here the front bumper and bodywork would be at much greater risk of being damaged in any situation where a winch may be required.

Cheers,
Terry

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Originally Posted by chuck

Pete

What would you estimate in hours or dollars to install discrete mount & winch.

Cheers

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The kit retails at about $5K from memory & a book time to fit at about 10hrs (@$165.00/hr)
I'll let you do the math... :eek: :eek:

The kit is nice, well put together & doesn't look half bad, it's just the price that is a killer.

Personally I would love one.

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Originally Posted by Piddler

I agree, you missed the point they were after a discrete winch mount that's what we are talking about?

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Apologies, moving along my uncle picked up the d3 mount from the same place and he loves it. Fitted it himself and it went in an arvo

Tomar5e,
Do you know how heavy this kit is?
Where there any problems fitting it?
Are the instructions very comprehensive?
Sorry for the questions, but would like to know as much info as I can.
Cheers

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Not sure of details mate but it did involve remove the entire front section and some cutting of the inside of the bumper.
I wonder if there is much difference between the d3 mount and the d4 mount because essentially they are the same chassis?

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When I did mine in the D2, I checked with the engineer first. All you need to ensure is that it sits behind the line of the crush cans/"Deformable Structure". The DS in the D2 is the steel backing plate of the plastic bumper, which is why I could legally add a custom tube bar to wrap the front, around the backing. It also sits further back than a bar, better handling, I do notice the difference now with the xrox bar and winch on it.

That one at Sydney 4x4, like many has the mounting holes, looks like they go straight back into the chassis. I used some 230x75 parallel flange channel, the winch bolted down into it, two 90deg brackets in 6mm plate, folded under the channel and up the sides inside the chassis, with 4 bolts mounting each to the channel and the original two bumper holes with the full sized (12mm not 10mm) HT bolts mounting it, the original brush bar underneath sat hard up under it so any unplanned rotation due to pull would be checked by it.

All up cost <$85-. And engineer approved, looking at the pics, you should be able to do something similar. I'd show some pics but believe it or not, someone broke into the backyard through the gate and the only thing they took was the winch cradle (not the mower, edger, chainsaw etc)

I've had a discrete winch mount for a couple of years now on my D4. It is holding a Mile Marker 12,000 lb hydraulic winch. There are photos of the installation and final layout on my disco3.co.uk site page (my name there is "Dingmark"). I purchased mine from "Uncle Ray" from the UK. At the time there weren't any winch-capable bars available so if I wanted a winch, it was either a discrete mount or the much more expensive LR OEM model. I've used it a few times working on pipeline sites (pulling stuff and getting a few people unstuck).

There are inevitably some compromises with any mod. With my model of discrete winch mount the compromises are:

1. The discrete mount replaces the steel bar bumper, which sits behind the plastic bumper. This means there is almost no collision protection outward from the radiator. I guess when there's a collision I'll get a modern winch bar.
2. The mount is about the same weight at the removed bumper, but frankly, that's overwhelmed by the weight of a 12,000 lb winch!
3. The winch is held on by the original bumper mount nuts, and new HT bolts in tension. This could lead to pulling the winch, and its accouterments off the front of the D4 if I was pulling hard. I minimise this risk by using a pulley and doubling up the winch rope, which halves the winch load.
4. Getting to the winch controls is about impossible for anyone with adult-sized hands. I have to use the winch controller to slowly extend the rope.

That said, it met my needs of 2 years ago.

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Originally Posted by Dingmark Jim

There are inevitably some compromises with any mod. With my model of discrete winch mount the compromises are:

1. The discrete mount replaces the steel bar bumper, which sits behind the plastic bumper. This means there is almost no collision protection outward from the radiator. I guess when there's a collision I'll get a modern winch bar.

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Thanks Jim,

I wonder how not having a steel bumper bar behind the plastic mould affects the frontal structural integrity of the vehicle in a head on crash?

And how does removing the steel inner bumper affect the ADR compliance of the vehicle and possibly any insurance claim?

I would imagine a steel ARB/Opposite Lock bar would increase frontal protection for both the vehicle and passengers whereas having no steel bumper would lessen the protection which to me doesn't sound like a very good idea.

cheers,
Terry