M12000 mount advice

[nutt7]

Long time, no post.

I have an m12000 to mount on the burb. I have a warn 11078 mount that looks like the classic warn center section. I have 4’ of 5x5x1/4 angle and plenty of 8” wide 1/2” plate. My internal debate is how high to mount the winch…I can mount above the frame rails, at the bottom of the rails, or somewhere in between. Any input? Aesthetic or functional?

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Closer to the frame will reduce leverage when pulling.
Some mounts I've used, warn/bellview 8k on the first and engo 12k on the last two.

Old warn brush guard mount, stood up to some very hard pulls.


Homemade mount, 1/4 inch steel and 2x4 box I had laying around, also held up to some hard pulls.



And the last setup was a tna, now cfm winch cradle. Also held up well.

 

[nutt7]

The first two look to be on top of the frame. I know higher up will yield a better approach angle, but lower may allow me to place it a tad further back, with straighter pulls on the frame. I usually overthink this stuff though

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

The top one would bend down under a hard pull but straighten up, the second one was good to go but I hung up on the stock tow hooks a couple times.

 

[obijuank5]

My m12000 is between the rails but it’s gordo for sure. I had to trim one rail some to fit.
I am a big fan of this positioning but I did cut the grille and the bottom trim piece to get it to fit.

 

[nutt7]

My m12000 is between the rails but it’s gordo for sure. I had to trim one rail some to fit.
I am a big fan of this positioning but I did cut the grille and the bottom trim piece to get it to fit.View attachment 489270

I was debating trimming the grill support to lose some overhang but that would require me to lower it a bit too far. I can see what you mean about needing to trim the rails to squeeze it in. It looks like it may fit with an offset…I’m not OCD but it may be more work than I’m ready for. This burb is more of a daily/camping rig than anything else. I may just leave it high

 

[Blue85]

I put mine between the rails under the rad for max approach angle, but it's only 9k lbs rated and there's almost no room left over. I prefer tight vs a giant front porch bumper, but with hidden, I have to reach underneath to work the clutch. Easy for pulling on trees to cut firewood, but very inconvenient when the bumper is sunk in a swamp.