Welcome Guest. ( logon | register )   
FAQ Member List Albums Today's Posts Search

PointedThree :  Vans, Trucks, SUVs and Other Forums : G-Class DIY Forum : DIY Winch Mount for under $300

Page 1 of 1 1
DIY Winch Mount for under $300
Topic Tools Message Format
Author
Posted 11/17/2012 10:01 PM
csc
Member


Date registered: Dec 2011
Location: Charleston, SC
Vehicle(s): 2014 G 550
Posts: 17

DIY Winch Mount for under $300

I finally had a weekend to put my plan into motion. I wanted a winch mount for the G, but was not willing to spend $1,500 to do it. After looking at how the tow pin and Europa bumpers were done, I figured I could make a front receiver. So here goes.

First, relocate transmission cooler with G55 bracket. About $75 for part and shipping.

Second, I purchased a new 2" receiver hitch for a Ford F150. I chose this one because of the round frame and the receiver is inline with the pipe. $130 including shipping.

Since I relocated the trans cooler, I already had the skid plate and bumper removed.

The fab.

1. Trim the receiver to 27", inside dimension of bumper brackets.
See Photo-1

2. I trimmed off the wide part of the receiver because of the length and to make a smaller opening in the bumper.
See Photo-2 & 3

3. I trimmed off the eye loops on the hitch designed for the trailer chains. Also to make the hole in the bumper smaller.

4. Dry fit the hitch inside the bumper to locate the opening in the bumper slats. Mine only required cutting out the top two slats. I had to do some minor grinding on the slats to get the receiver to slide through.
See Photo-4

5. Mark and cutout the slats in the bumper. I cut from behind to prevent over cutting. Touch up raw metal.
See Photo-5

6. Dry fit the hitch to make sure the opening is adequate. I had to grind a bit on the ends to get it to drop in.
See Photo-6

7. I had to cut away some steel from the bottom of the hitch because it was double thick from the loops.
Now it would drop in. Paint raw steel.
See Photo-7 & 8

8. Took it to a local welder and had the receiver welded to the bumper brackets. In my case I went to a trailer hitch shop. Welding $50
See Photos-9 & 10

9. Reinstall bumper and skid plate.
See Photos-11

10. Install receiver hitch winch mount.
Photo 12 & 13

Winch to be installed when I figure out how to wire it to the insane battery location.





(photo-1.jpg)



(photo-2.jpg)



(photo-3.jpg)



(photo-4.jpg)



(photo-5.jpg)



(photo-6.jpg)



(photo-7.jpg)



(photo-8.jpg)



(photo-9.jpg)



(photo-10.jpg)



(photo-12.jpg)



(photo-13.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments photo-1.jpg (169KB - 5 downloads)
Attachments photo-2.jpg (176KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-3.jpg (81KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-4.jpg (143KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-5.jpg (117KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-6.jpg (118KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-7.jpg (102KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-8.jpg (83KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-9.jpg (85KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-10.jpg (112KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-12.jpg (141KB - 3 downloads)
Attachments photo-13.jpg (130KB - 3 downloads)
#208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 11/17/2012 10:36 PM
drey
Extreme Veteran


Date registered: Sep 2012
Location: Scottsdale AZ
Vehicle(s): 04 G500
Posts: 364
300
Re: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

That is cool!


You pretty sure the mount is strong enough to support the pull of a 9k winch?
Only thing that concerns me are those little welds....

Can you post a pic of where the trans cooler went and the bracket?

#208991 - in reply to #208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 11/18/2012 3:49 AM
thebigblue

Date registered: Jan 2012
Location:
Vehicle(s):
500
RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

Looks neat. From what I see in the pictures the two bumper brackets will take all the load, Is it correct ?
#208994 - in reply to #208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 11/18/2012 4:42 PM
csc
Member


Date registered: Dec 2011
Location: Charleston, SC
Vehicle(s): 2014 G 550
Posts: 17

RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

I missed a picture.

The trans cooler relo is on here is some other threads. I'll post a couple of pics when it stops raining. I basically mounts above the skid plate. It's an easy deal once you figure out which way it goes.

I'm not worried about the welds breaking. I think the bracket will fail before the welds or the bolts will shear. The brackets seem to hold on the Europa bumpers and I think the tow pin uses the same brackets as well. I guess only time will tell! I'll try not to winch it up a tree or anything.

Chad



(photo-11.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments photo-11.jpg (118KB - 4 downloads)
#209008 - in reply to #208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 11/19/2012 1:52 PM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
2000
Re: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

The bumper mounting brackets are substantially thicker in the tow pin bumper. The Europa winch bumper are much thicker still. So there are engineering differences to accomodate the use requirements.

I do like your concept, very low key and functional. A Warn removable winch carrier would work great here, you do need to be able to access the pin for locking the 2" insert in place, I can't see that very well in your pictures though.
#209032 - in reply to #209008
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 11/19/2012 6:57 PM
AlanMcR
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
2000
RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

I think some triangular plate going between the tube and a point between the two captive nuts would go a long way towards increasing the strength of the entire unit.  This would be especially true for any kind of side forces on the pull.  I know that one should always pull straight on, but sometimes that can't be arranged, or the pulled item slips off to one side. 

To be clear: I think you came up with a good idea, a little extra bracing will make it great.

#209038 - in reply to #209008
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 11/19/2012 8:40 PM
stevegsmith
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: SF Bay Area, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 82 300GD WVO, 06 Jeep Lib CRD B99
Posts: 1301
1000
Re: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

Slick!
#209042 - in reply to #208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 11/19/2012 10:22 PM
csc
Member


Date registered: Dec 2011
Location: Charleston, SC
Vehicle(s): 2014 G 550
Posts: 17

RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

Once I get the winch mounted, I'll have to do some testing.

I took another look at the Taubenreuther, or whatever, bumper brackets and I see they have a gusset by the first bolt. My guess is that is to deal with a pull at an angle. I may have to look into something like that.



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 16-60050_DE (dragged).pdf (616KB - 13 downloads)
#209045 - in reply to #208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 11/20/2012 3:08 AM
thebigblue

Date registered: Jan 2012
Location:
Vehicle(s):
500
RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

The steelwork in the Taubenreuther kit seems to me to be around 3-4 mm. in thickness

#209048 - in reply to #208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 12/4/2012 12:26 PM
thebigblue

Date registered: Jan 2012
Location:
Vehicle(s):
500
RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

Another option:

#209438 - in reply to #208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 12/4/2012 1:00 PM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
2000
Re: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

I still dont see how you can get the security/locking pin in place for the winch mount with the bumper mounted on the G. I suppose you could take the bumper off and mount the winch carrier, replace the bumper and mount the winch. Secure, but not really conveniently removeable, if that was your intention. I still really like the design though.
Eric
#209441 - in reply to #209438
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 12/5/2012 7:10 PM
drey
Extreme Veteran


Date registered: Sep 2012
Location: Scottsdale AZ
Vehicle(s): 04 G500
Posts: 364
300
RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

thebigblue - 12/4/2012 12:26 PM

Another option:



Is that a custom job or does someone sell it?

#209493 - in reply to #209438
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 12/6/2012 12:02 PM
thebigblue

Date registered: Jan 2012
Location:
Vehicle(s):
500
RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

drey - 12/6/2012 1:10 AM

thebigblue - 12/4/2012 12:26 PM

Another option:



Is that a custom job or does someone sell it?



It´s a custom job done by "Desert Service" in Germany on a camper-G. Link: http://www.desert-service.com/start.html





#209502 - in reply to #209493
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 12/12/2012 5:43 PM
csc
Member


Date registered: Dec 2011
Location: Charleston, SC
Vehicle(s): 2014 G 550
Posts: 17

RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

That looks cool, but is well beyond my skill level.

I'll send some photos when it's all together so you can see the pin.

Chad
#209709 - in reply to #209502
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Author
Posted 12/15/2012 5:36 AM
thebigblue

Date registered: Jan 2012
Location:
Vehicle(s):
500
RE: DIY Winch Mount for under $300

Maybe Karl will do this at some point, just to go with the rear steel bumper....?
#209758 - in reply to #208989
Top of the page Bottom of the page
« View previous thread :: View next thread »
Page 1 of 1 1
Forum Jump :
All times are EST.  The time is now 5:10:09 AM.

Execution: 0.296 seconds, 88 cached, 32 executed.