hidden winch on D3/4 with standard bumper and NO roo-bar

Fitted the TerraFirma Discrete winch mount and a Dominator winch last weekend. Not such a big deal to instal (a lot of fun actually) Its amazing how quickly you can pull apart the front end of a Disco 3. But the number plate mounting had me stumped. Ended up getting the Uneek 4X4 flip-up frame and fitted that today. The result is a fairly discrete winch setup which is easy to use. I'm happy with it. Nice peace of mind knowing I can self-recover once again if needed. If you are contemplating this install I wouldn't hesitate to recommend giving it a crack.
I'm not recommending these vendors below as such, you can get the parts from most places. These just happen to be where I got mine from so you can whet your whistle looking at the pictures and stuff.
Winch Mount - Winch Mount D3 TF096 TF097 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.
Winch - Domin8r X 12,000lb Winch with rope , 4WD & Outdoor Products - Australia
Number Plate Flip up mount - Number plate flip bracket

and because its the most important part of any thread ----- photos!
This is the sad looking front end with the lights, grille and bumper cover and bumper removed with winch tray and winch offered-up.
Attachment 140420

This is a close-up photo of the winch in the tray (it easier to fit the Hawse fairlead and winch into the tray before bolting up. I had to drill-out the 8mm bolts to use the 10mm 8.8 bolts and nuts supplied. Not difficult.
Attachment 140422

The following photo shows where I mounted the remote control socket - easily accessible yet remains discreet.
Attachment 140423

The original number plate mount was refitted with a slot cut (using a butane torch fitted with a heated rope cutting blade) into the lower edge of the winch rope to exit during storage. This was a temporary measure until the flip up number plate mount arrived, but would also do in a pinch as only 7 screws need out be removed to use the winch. I just dont like taking out screws (and losing them) during a recovery.
Attachment 140424

This is the flip-up type number plate frame fitted this morning. I guess I could have fabricated one myself, but the built quality of the bought one is pretty good, and I'm getting lazy these days - so the 50 bucks spent saved me quite some time in the shed looking for the right bits. Took the missus to lunch with the fabrication time I saved - a far more profitable use of my time trust me! [smilebigeye]
Attachment 140425
Attachment 140426
Attachment 140427

I am going to plug the 4 visible drill holes from the old number plate setup with those small plugs you use to plug holes in irrigation lines. I think they will be small enough to be discrete. When I find them!
I hope this post inspires some of you to take it on. The previous posts in this thread inspired me to take the plunge on what I see is a useful accessory (for me) without stumping up for a bull bar (which I don't really want on this car)

Cheers - Matti

Nice Job Matti. My only concern is the exposure of the remote control socket. With a previous vehicle I had a very exposed socket and even though covered with a rubber grommet water got inside and corroded the connections. Its in a very easy accessable spot for you I agree but did your winch come with a wireless remote? If so perhaps a better place to put it would have been under the bonnet and less exposed to the elements. I know some people dont like wireless remote as there is a lag between pressing the buttons and the winch starting to wind. I used my winch last week for the 1st time, pulling out a Pajero that had gone down a hill that it should not have... and it worked a treat.Others on the trip did not even know I had the winch until I fliped the number plate!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dirvine

Nice Job Matti. My only concern is the exposure of the remote control socket.

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Thanks Dirvine, (and to all the "thanks" posters) I like to do the "photos" thing because its an enjoyable part of this forum to look at the vehicles we have and how we go about different things.
On my last D1 I had it (the socket) in a similar location and "touch wood" it didn't cause any issues back then - maybe #POP058 PaulT can give me an update on its longevity to date [smilebigeye].
And also being a sparky the issue isn't too big a concern for me to "fix" in the field. I can see your point though.
Yes - it does have the remote feature as well. Not too much of a delay to be worried about in my opinion- "close enough for the girls I go out with!" [bigsmile]
Matti

Clean, nice work.

As has been mentioned - is your winch the remote control version?

It is Tombie - It comes with the remote dongle thats inserted into the socket for wireless operation. Had a few goes of it before the factory supplied battery went dead - (1 x A23 12V battery). So I bought a couple of spares of the glovebox.
I prefer the wired setup though and actually sitting behind the wheel. I can see the benefits of winching from outside the car when its someone else's vehicle being recovered (and the tail of the winching vehicle is tethered to a tree.)

Fun Fact: Researching button batteries for my regular job - the A23 "battery" is a stack of 8 x LR932, 1.5 volt cells (button batteries) with heat shrink around them to make it look like one battery. A few batteries are like this construction, just stacked button batteries. Tear the outer covering off and the 8 cells tumble onto the desk.
Attachment 140462

Yeah common... [emoji41]

So I’m going to scare you a little now. [emoji41]

The receiver unit is not IP rated at all, so where you have the box, it’s very likely even a shallow puddle could short it and have your winch running..

May be worth at the minimum removing the receiver and extending its cables to put the receiver up high and dry.

Fortunately, all good cheapie winches come with a mains isolator as standard to backup their no IP rated electronics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Milton477

Fortunately, all good cheapie winches come with a mains isolator as standard to backup their no IP rated electronics.

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No good when you turn it on and it takes off!!!

Absolutely. I extended the wires & moved the plug into the engine bay where I can get to it easily & the remote receiver lives in the cubby until needed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tombie

Yeah common... [emoji41]

So I’m going to scare you a little now. [emoji41]

The receiver unit is not IP rated at all, so where you have the box, it’s very likely even a shallow puddle could short it and have your winch running..

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Thanks Tombie - Good point. I will keep that in mind. Although the receiver lives in the glovebox until needed.