http://forum.neow.net/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=384675
I bought this tray last fall with the hope of integrating it into the front bumper. Anyone have a pic from a similar angle of a rangie or disco....basicly, I'm trying to gauge what level(height) the winch is mounted at relative to the grill.
The tray is 2.25" tall. The welds for those shackle mounts are at about 2" below the top of the bumper.

http://forum.neow.net/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=384676
http://forum.neow.net/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=384678

I know yours is a classic, but try this on for size





http://www.rangerovers.net/outfitting/bumpers/index.html

You want to get the winch as far back as possible - better approach angle and less impact on steering and suspension. Resign yourself to chopping your bumper, and you may have to move that hairbush looking cooler.
The main thing is to have a solid winch mount that will not distort - and to do that you need to allow for the side to side and up/down forces, not just a perfectly even dead centre pull.
So throw away that funny little tray and build something that goes the the chassis rails on either side, is braced against warping vertically and diagonally and had a strong lip on the front to stop the winch just pulling it's way through the plate. Then see how far back you can get the tray/winch before you have to move your radiator, and build it up.
Or if you want something that looks better that the Bodgerover
http://home.off-road.com/~bodgerover/bodgewinch.htm
... then just buy a decent bullbar :flipoff2:

This bull bar.....is pretty damn solid....and has excellant approach angles...thats why I'd like to continue to use it. Might be easier to make a mount from scratch. at least the tray will be useful as a pattern.

checked out my friends new(to him safari gard bumper on his defender......the mount doesn't seem all that stout...must be it gains strength being braced against where the fairlead mounts?

Hi,

> You want to get the winch as far back as possible

I agree with CT. Maybe also as low as possible to keep the COG low, but if the winch is high enough it does not collect that much mud...

Here (http://stiletti.wipsl.com/gallery/album22) are some pics of my winch install, it's basic strong plate (6mm/0.25") bolted (with four 12mm/0.5" bolts) to the chassis rails. I had the stock bumber but I throwed it away. My bull bar is different, maybe it makes this install type easy.

But when you're done with the winch install, then get yourself new control switches, one inside and one in the bull bar. Makes the winch usage *so* much more convenient, and you can sell the original remote control so someone who has lost or broken it.

Some pics:

http://stiletti.wipsl.com/albums/album22/DSC04252.thumb.jpg http://stiletti.wipsl.com/albums/album22/DSC04253.thumb.jpg

I had to move the tranny cooler up maybe 2" and replace the hard pipes with flexible hose, very minor thing and the warn hs9500 sits in very nicely.

http://stiletti.wipsl.com/albums/album22/DSC04254.thumb.jpg http://stiletti.wipsl.com/albums/album22/DSC04255.thumb.jpg

Here are my control switches (+winch power on reminder light):

http://stiletti.wipsl.com/albums/album22/DSC02558.thumb.jpg http://stiletti.wipsl.com/albums/album22/DSC02557.thumb.jpg

Inner control is a standard rangie window switch, outer controls are the green and red buttons hehind the black box, I moved the remote control socket here too, but have never used it.

If you install more than one control switch, consider having a simple logic (done with a few relays) that prevents the winch to run buth directions at the same time, I have a wiring diagran somewhere if some1 needs such.

Bigger ones behind the link shown earlier.

BTW is it OK to post pics like this? What size is OK? OR should I just give links to those who are interested?

-Paavo

Thanks for the pics/info.
I believe, if you are linking the pics remotely, you can get a way with an even bigger size.....but I guess I'll let old scout be the official word.

-Seth

There is no size limit on linked pics, but a limit of 800x600 seems to keep the low rez/lap top guys happy.

BTW I'm at 1280x1024 on a 21", so I enjoy big pics!

OS says he enjoys big pics? I'd throw one up that's really big, but he'd just edit it out anyway.

:flipoff2:

BTW, ptl, your pics are great. Your tech is great. Keep it coming. You Finns seem to do it the right way just about every time.

http://stiletti.wipsl.com/albums/album22/DSC02558.thumb.jpg

great use of a stock rocker switch - looks fabulous up on the dash!