Anyone using the hidden winch mount from Mountainoffroad?

[cheavyk10]

saw a picture in the mix where it did show a winch that was hanging... but most show the winches SITTING on this mount? so between the bumper, core support, frame rails, body, and mounting plate, there will be ZERO access to the spool? no bueno.

even if you can somehow get to the free spool lever, you are going to need to get to the rope on the spool at some point?

View attachment 440158

Mine hangs upside down . Also I've had zero issues with the lever hitting anything.

 

[Blue85]

if trying to keep the winch tucked between the frame rails, and up high - i suggest making the face of the bumper the mounting surface - winch with feet forward. no worries about shearing mounting bolts or breaking the chinese castings - the whole winch will need to pull through the bumper!

Yes, that's how I did mine.

 

[6872xtc]

Here's a pic of the way the EV kit mounts. Top left bolt is the upper front steering box bolt, the next two older ones are the outer bumper brace bolts, the center bolts sandwich the plates, the center bolt to the right goes thru the body mount bracket and the frame, and the right front three are the bumper/frame horns, and one more thru the top of the frame.
That mountain off road version only uses four bolts to attach it to the frame. View attachment 440123

I don't care for the design on the MORE one due to it basically having flat plate bolted to the angled pieces. There's no reinforcement for either side to keep them from bending, which it could do, right at the bolt holes.

While I don't want my winch to be unprotected on the bottom, as these designs are, I would go with @Engineered Vintage for the strength, if I wanted to keep a factory bumper.

 

[396 TransAm]

I see that the EV kit has a provision for the ORD frame brace. I guess it deletes the front angle reinforcement from the ORD kit and it is incorporated. Does anyone know if the MORE kit is even compatible with the ORD brace ? They do not seem to have much of a tech support line.

 

[imiceman44]

if trying to keep the winch tucked between the frame rails, and up high - i suggest making the face of the bumper the mounting surface - winch with feet forward. no worries about shearing mounting bolts or breaking the chinese castings - the whole winch will need to pull through the bumper!

i was going to build a skidplate for mine, but now think access to the spool is more important. If I revisit that idea, I may look into an "open tubing" kind of skid plate that I can reach through easily.

getting used to the freespool lever being down under there is not that bad if you can reclock the motor and gear housings? I was able to on mine. really easy to get to it unless the truck is 1/2 way up the doors in snow or mud, and the bumper is under? -in that case you would hope to have the forethought to already have it in gear, and have the remote plugged in - might be slow, but just power it out if you cannot reach the lever?


something like posts 75-140 in my build thread show my bumper and winch coming together like a jigsaw puzzle

View attachment 440159

View attachment 440160

View attachment 440161

My old WARN 12000 had to be mounted feet facing forward.
I don't think the cases are strong enough for shear of 12000lbs or more.

 

[Engineered Vintage]

I see that the EV kit has a provision for the ORD frame brace. I guess it deletes the front angle reinforcement from the ORD kit and it is incorporated. Does anyone know if the MORE kit is even compatible with the ORD brace ? They do not seem to have much of a tech support line.

let us know if you have questions about our kit!

 

[396 TransAm]

I went ahead and purchased the EV kit. Not enough information on the Mountain kit

 

[mudmobeeler]

I keep looking at the EV kit and the M.O.R.E. kit. I like the M.O.R.E. kit for not having the winch hanging down like the EV kit. However, I am interested in these mounts for my M1009 currently but hopefully to move the CUCV bumpers over to a square body Suburban or a square body pick up in the event that I get another Suburban or a pick up. And realistically, for the purpose of what I would be using a Suburban or a pick up for I doubt I would hit the winch on anything if using the EV mount. On actual wheeling rigs, Ive seen people hit that area a lot so I would worry about the winch. I myself got hung up on the front bumper in my old blazer and would've busted a winch I'm sure if using one of the EV mounts. Though, I could also chock it up to poor driving/poor spotting.

I like how the M.O.R.E. mount gets the winch more out of the way but I dont like how buried it is and Ive been stuck in such a way that you wouldn't be able to get to the clutch lever on the winch from underneath. So IDK how well I really like the M.O.R.E mount.

In trying to keep the CUCV bumpers, grill guard, and recovery mounts, I'm probably going to order the EV mount. I think it would work really well and look good too.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

This thread had me looking again at the frame rail winch set-up. Engineered Vintage has a chat window and I expected to hear back during the week, but they immediately responded and also provided me pics and examples of the mounting options.

They have a top and bottom mount options. The winch plate is either at the top of the frame or bottom but I will say I appreciate getting a response and such detailed information on a Sunday night. @Engineered Vintage - Thanks again!

 

[396 TransAm]

Also, Engineered Vintage offers a military discount (not sure if it extends to law enforcement and/or fire and rescue). I received the kit very quickly and it arrived very well packaged. All the parts look very nice and well designed. I am excited to install it for my new Warn 12K 12-S Zeon.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I have CFM fabs winch cradle on my 78,
View attachment 440133

The freespool lever was easy to get to before I put the bumper back on, however it’s still not too bad, reach up around the left side, I can get more pics if anyone wants any.

This is what I have.

I went ahead and purchased the EV kit. Not enough information on the Mountain kit

You will not be disappointed.

 

[Engineered Vintage]

This thread had me looking again at the frame rail winch set-up. Engineered Vintage has a chat window and I expected to hear back during the week, but they immediately responded and also provided me pics and examples of the mounting options.

They have a top and bottom mount options. The winch plate is either at the top of the frame or bottom but I will say I appreciate getting a response and such detailed information on a Sunday night. @Engineered Vintage - Thanks again!

Happy to help!

 

[Polymath]

Well, three years after starting this thread, I ordered one. Not that I needed it right now, but there is literally no better time to put all this in there than when I have the whole front end off the car.

 

[Engineered Vintage]

Well, three years after starting this thread, I ordered one. Not that I needed it right now, but there is literally no better time to put all this in there than when I have the whole front end off the car.

thanks for the order!