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

Very clean looking set up that’s for certain.

Originally Posted by wombathole

I bought and installed a hidden winch mount myself.
- Removed plastic bumper.
- removed metal front bumper. 8 bolts on the front of the chassis rails.
- installed winch mount box using the same 8 holes.
- installed winch into the box.
- cut a hole in the plastic bumper and re installed.
- stick 20mm legs on number plate plastic frame and screwed it back on.

In normal mode, can hardly see the winch.
When required, remove 4 screws. Looking into some quarter turn quick connects.

No modifications to any sensors or electronic parts.

Looks great. Which mount did you install wombathole?

DA7537 | Discreet Winch Mount - Land Rover Part DA7537

I paid $405. 301 plus 104 shipping.

12000lb domin8r winch. $350.

$265 for the Ultra hook. Beautiful piece of bling.

You make it sound easy! Was there anything tricky about bumper change over etc? How many hours start to finish? Also, what is so good about that hook? I’m genuinely interested to understand why it’s expensive.

Scott

Originally Posted by wombathole

I bought and installed a hidden winch mount myself.
- Removed plastic bumper.
- removed metal front bumper. 8 bolts on the front of the chassis rails.
- installed winch mount box using the same 8 holes.
- installed winch into the box.
- cut a hole in the plastic bumper and re installed.
- stick 20mm legs on number plate plastic frame and screwed it back on.
In normal mode, can hardly see the winch.
When required, remove 4 screws. Looking into some quarter turn quick connects.
No modifications to any sensors or electronic parts.

That looks really good, very nice.

Originally Posted by LRD414

You make it sound easy! Was there anything tricky about bumper change over etc? How many hours start to finish? Also, what is so good about that hook? I’m genuinely interested to understand why it’s expensive.

Scott

Hi Scott,

It was straight forward except the chassis bolts. I took my time and probably spent 10 enjoyable hours doing it right and making it really neat.

Grill, lights and bumper removal is easy after you learn the technique off YouTube. (like so many things on our vehicles)

Removal of metal bumper was simple.

Winch box was meant to line up with holes and supplied bolts were meant to use same thread. No. Had to buy long high tensile nuts and bolts. Fiddly to get bolts started and then tight. Limited space. Needed four hands.


Domin8r winch came with pre done wiring which fitted perfectly. I mounted controller where the horns live. Relocated the horns to the side of the grill. Winch has wireless controller which lives in glove box and twist style isolator switch next to battery connection. So for most of the time winch is mechanically isolated from power, when needed, twist connector and turn on wireless. Opposite process when finished.





Pure luck that the format factor of the winch clutch handle is small enough to fit. About 10mm cleanance. Enough to easily spin the clutch with your finger tips. Bigger clutch handles may have significant issues.

I went very slow cutting the plastic hole. Lots of small cuts, test fits, small cuts, test fits. I wanted the least cut away but enough to ensure it won't jam.

Easy raid of the home watering system spare parts to get a rigid pvc pipe that I cut to form the number plate legs. Super glued to plate frame.

I wanted a hook or ring that pulled right against fairlead so wouldn't rattle, wouldn't show any rope, and be smallest protrusion. Ultra hook are awesome. Something like 32000 lb strength, look cool and tapered rubber blocks that hold it in place.






Andy

Originally Posted by dirvine

Thanks for your convcerns Tombie. I am unsure if the Devon one is non approved or not, but it has been fitted to a number of vehicles overseas, and there have not been any issues reported. Specifically designed for a D4 I am sure they know their stuff. So I am hopefull all will be OK. Whilst I acknowledge that there could/maybe issues with standard componetry of the D4, if I was as concerned as some people are about safety etc, then I would probably think twice about even getting behind the wheel of a car let along take one one the road in Australia. So I will take my chances like everybody else. If something happens I always have my "B" vehicle for a back up!! or is it my "A" vehicle?

I looked into these when I had a D4 and I also share Tombies concerns, particularly regarding the legalities.

However the Devon version was used by Land Rover on the Millionth Discovery expedition, so one would expect they were satisfied with the engineering of it.

Cheers,
Jon

I have the Ironman winch. I have loosely bolted the winch to the tray and noted that I cannot turn the winch lever to free spool unless I cut something so probably it will stay always engauged, so slow wind out will have to happen. I do not like the control box being in front of the radiator as I think it will restrict airflow. I have noted that the "box" on the drivers side under the bonnet has spare space and I plan to see if I can locate the control box there. I also have a wireless connector, but there is a delay between pressing the buttons and the winch responding. By having the box in that location I hopefully will have the dual ability of wireless or wired controls. I also have the twist power disconnect switch. Time will tell once I start to pull the beast apart. I have not bought the fairlead as yet as I am undecided whether to use an alloy or stainless one. Devon recommend stainless. Also the number plate mount appears to have 4 pins that pull out to expose the hook.