Dumb question of the day! Regarding winches...

[blowedupmotor87]

Okay, this may be a very dumb question, if so, please forgive me but, I can't seem to make up my mind on this-

If I am mounting a front winch, how critical is it that that the winch be perfectly centered? Would about 3" offset to one side be okay?

The reason I ask is I would really like to put my winch between my front frame horns that way I don't have to run a bumper that sticks out at all. My winch is a WARN 9500ti Winch Dimensions: 23.1" L. x 6.3" D. x 10.0" H. It is much bigger on the motor side so, it would have to be offset to clear that side when put between the frame rails (I think the distance between the frame horns is like 24"? I haven't measured yet because my bumper is still on).

If I have to sell this winch and buy another, that is okay (have a buyer tentatively lined up) but, I'm wondering if I can use it instead of selling?

The winch might look a bit funny offset (obviously I'd have to cut my core support and my grille to fit it) but, I was wondering, aside from aesthetics, is there any problem with mounting it offset to one side?

Thanks y'all!

On a side note- what's the highest capacity winch anybody has mounted between the frame horns without any packaging problems?

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

Okay, this may be a very dumb question, if so, please forgive me but, I can't seem to make up my mind on this-

On a side note- what's the highest capacity winch anybody has mounted between the frame horns without any packaging problems?

I have a 12k between mine. it you cut the frame ends off.i.e. making them an open channel. You also might need to trim the upper channel some. If it were me I would center it.

For a big fullsize I feel a 8k is a little light but thats me

 

[Fordum]

X2 on the 8K. Of course the 9500ti is 9.5K, but its mostly close enough to 8K as to not make much difference.

If you don't mind carrying some extra chain or cable and a snatch block, and have a good big battery, then you can eventually get out.

I belong to the school of having the winch oversized enough that it can pull as much as I will ever need with a full spool.

All mine are PTO driven off the transfer case. I have snapped 3/8 steel cables with a full spool.

As for the offset mounting, 3 inches is not too bad. A lot of the winches have the spool offset slightly anyway. Just be aware that the side of the frame closest to the spool will see more load than the other.

J.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

I have a 12k between mine. it you cut the frame ends off.i.e. making them an open channel. You also might need to trim the upper channel some. If it were me I would center it.

For a big fullsize I feel a 8k is a little light but thats me

Mine's an 87 so, it's channel, did you have to cut away from the upper channel to fit your 12K? Thanks bro!

X2 on the 8K. Of course the 9500ti is 9.5K, but its mostly close enough to 8K as to not make much difference.

If you don't mind carrying some extra chain or cable and a snatch block, and have a good big battery, then you can eventually get out.

I belong to the school of having the winch oversized enough that it can pull as much as I will ever need with a full spool.

All mine are PTO driven off the transfer case. I have snapped 3/8 steel cables with a full spool.

As for the offset mounting, 3 inches is not too bad. A lot of the winches have the spool offset slightly anyway. Just be aware that the side of the frame closest to the spool will see more load than the other.

J.

I figure the Jimmy will be sitting at about 6000lbs most of the time (2 people and minimum gear in a 1 tonned, 37" tired, rollcaged K5) so, the 9500 will be a little over half again the weight. I wouldn't mind going higher capacity though! Just don't know if one will fit! I like PTO winches but, I think I'd rather run electric for the ease of fitting it in (no driveshaft to worry about). In regards to one side of the frame seeing more load with an offset winch, do you think a lot of heavy winching could pull my frame out of square?

 

[scouthead]

My winch is ALMOST centered between the frame rails... How close can you get it?
I don't think you are ever going to get a perfectly straight pull in the real world, so the way the winch is mounted is more important than how perfectly centered it is...

And if you pull hard enough to the side you could probably tweak your frame somewhere, no matter how well the winch is mounted up front...

 

[scouthead]

Couple pics from underneath:

 

[scouthead]

I thought I remembered notching the frame a little, but now that I look at it, I did not. I notched the bumper bracket so it would match the frame, but my winch was almost centered so I left it alone.

My fairlead (and also my whole bumper) is about 5/8 inch to the pass side of the truck...

 

[scouthead]

If I were doing it again, I would just notch the frame out a bit. I only needed the top of the rail trimmed, and it would not have affected the strength of the rail so far forward.

But you really can't tell that it's off center, so what the hell.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

If I were doing it again, I would just notch the frame out a bit. I only needed the top of the rail trimmed, and it would not have affected the strength of the rail so far forward.

But you really can't tell that it's off center, so what the hell.

Thanks for posting up bro! That is a slick setup you've got there! Almost identical to what I've been thinking about! Nice work!

Definitely giving me some more motivation seeing how good your setup looks!

 

[4X4HIGH]

Your winch is centered (the drum that is). Don't get lost thinking that the bolt on the valance is the center because it is not, the center grill bar is the center of the truck and splits the frame width difference exactly.

 

[scouthead]

Your winch is centered (the drum that is). Don't get lost thinking that the bolt on the valance is the center because it is not, the center grill bar is the center of the truck and splits the frame width difference exactly.

 

[4X4HIGH]

You think that is funny why?

 

[blazin' j]

i believe in overkill as well...i got this 16,500# superwinch shipped for less than $900 from amazon.com

(2) 8ton snatch blocks as well...

 

[Col_Sanders]

i believe in overkill as well...i got this 16,500# superwinch shipped for less than $900 from amazon.com

(2) 8ton snatch blocks as well...

And you live fairly close to me. Good to know I have someone to pull me out.

 

[blazin' j]

lol, how close is fairly close??? so that means u have a place/places to ride??? hmmm, we may have to make a compromise...lol