Roller fairlead question

[GNERGY]

I'm doing a hidden front winch install and I want to mount the roller fairlead on my front bumper, how do I need to reinforce the bumper, or don't I ? Any help will be appreciated, pics are a plus.
When I am done, I am going to do a write up with a bunch of pics to make it easy for the next guy. Thanks
Tarey

 

[dremu]

Depending on the angle, the fairlead shouldn't see THAT much force. For a straight pull, you'd have basically no pushing on the fairlead (and then to the bumper.) The more you go off-center (in either axis, i.e. vertical or horizontal) then, yeah, the fairlead will get yanked on.

Interesting point. I cut out a slot in my bumper, but then welded in a box, so it's reinforced with, hmm 3/16".

(slot)

and welded up:

So if your bumper is hollow tube or C-channel, then, yeah, I'd say you'd want to reinforce it. The pre-made winch bumpers (i.e. Warn) just mount the winch to a thick plate with the fairlead on the other side, so you'd have less leverage AND no crush zone... but without reinforcement, a hollow tube like mine, say, would definitely want to crush or at least deform on a good sideways pull.

-- A

 

[GNERGY]

I'm using the front factory chrome bumper.
Tarey

 

[RockinChevy]

Thought you was gonna go look at Jason4x4's bumper and winch mount? I'm borrowing his old bumper with the roller fairlead still on it, he bought my DPI bumper with the aluminum hawse on it and both are based on hidden winch designs.

 

[GNERGY]

I did but he had another bumper on it, not the factory one. I have the winch mounting plate cut and installed and just need to get the bumper reinforced and longer wires ( tomorrow ) to mount the solenoid on the drivers inner fender well and it will be done. Just don't know if the bumper needs some extra steel behind it.
Tarey
If you got the old bumper, is it reinforced ?

 

[RockinChevy]

I don't think so, but I never really looked behind it. I'll check when I get home, leaving work right now.

 

[RockinChevy]

ok, just got home and looked. There's a 1/4" plate behind the bumper where the fairlead bolts to. It has a slot in the middle for the winch rope to pass through. That's it.

I'm no expert but I think it's good for what Jason was doing with his white truck since he' doesn't wheel it hard. But on a more hardcore rig, I'm pretty sure more reinforcements will be needed.

 

[GNERGY]

OK, cool, how big is the plate? does it go to both sides to where it bolts to the frame or just behind the fairlead itself. How tall is it?
Tarey

 

[RockinChevy]

Dimensions are the same as the fairlead itself and bolts in right behind it. Wish I can post some pics but I don't think I have the right program to transfer the pics.

 

[GNERGY]

Ok Thanks. Tarey