[Xtreme]

I am in the process of mocking up the front bar for my 99 Jimny and in order to try keep the approach angle as good as possible I am looking at making the winch mounting plate sit around 100mm higher then the top of the front chassis rails. Originally I was going to mount the winch plate across the top of the rails.

I just wanted to know is there any drawback to mounting a winch at this height? I will be making the mounting plate from 6mm plate. I will also fabricate the tow points onto this but have them down lower roughly in line with the chassis rails.

[makntracks]

Air flow can some times be an issue if you mount it to high. even more so if your running spotties as well.

[Xtreme]

Where it sits higher now looks to leave more radiator and fan open at the bottom so I thought that it might be better a bit higher and it still does not block the bonnet vents. I was more so wondering if it put it at a bad angle and created more stress for pulling with it sitting higher instead of down lower between the chassis rails

[Gwagensteve]

In general, the lower you can mount a winch the better. the lower a winch is, the more it lifts the car as you are trying to winch out of something, rather than pulling the nose down.

Also, as you already pointed out, a higher winch places more leverage on the mounts.

Steve.

[fordem]

Gwagensteve wrote:

In general, the lower you can mount a winch the better. the lower a winch is, the more it lifts the car as you are trying to winch out of something, rather than pulling the nose down.

This is an interesting point - I would have thought the ideal height to be in line with the rails so as to minimize any twisting forces on the mount/rails - I may have to rethink my design - I believe I can come down a few inches without too much difficulty

Quote:

Also, as you already pointed out, a higher winch places more leverage on the mounts.

Would this not be true if it were mounted below?

There's also the possibility of a low mounted winch being submerged in a water crossing and completely buried in mud when needed.

[Xtreme]

I have decided to mount it back down in line with the top of the chasis rails rather then 100mm above. For the small decrease in approach angle I figure a bit of track building and placement of some rocks etc will go a long way towards meaning the winch should not stop me getting over obstacles.

[31zook]

Have you actually wheeled your car?

[Xtreme]

Yes I have from when I first got it and it was running 225 retreads and had as much flex as a block of wood. On clay inclines I had a hard time getting it anywhere as the treads just filled with clay and turned into slicks. So I thought I will do everything to it I can to make it as capable as possible for as many tracks as possible. Have not taken it out since I put the 31's on it because I am waiting to put in the 25 spline front axle and floating rear so that I have a better chance of not breaking stuff..

I assume you ask because of all the questions I have been asking on here? It's because I have not tried to modify a 4wd before to make it handle the way I envision. I have not ever run one with a winch before so have asked lots of questions on that, and have not tried to make one handle more efficiently and be more functional. I have only ever driven stock 4wd and never a suzuki so that's what is up with all the questions.

[Built4thrashing]

At least your asking questions before you start modding not half way into a mod that will never work....

[SierraDan]

Xtreme wrote:

I am waiting to put in the 25 spline front axle and floating rear

Howcome you went with 25 spline? What side gears are you using?

[31zook]

SierraDan wrote:

Xtreme wrote:

I am waiting to put in the 25 spline front axle and floating rear

Howcome you went with 25 spline? What side gears are you using?

X2

Also, no, I've just never seen you post wheeling pic's. And if you want some advise, your better off wheeling and working out what needs changing after wheeling.

I promise someone build something from what they have seen online/mates will end up in disappointment.

[Xtreme]

Joe is making them for me. I think it was something to do with sourcing reliable other components or something I'll have to look up what he said or otherwise if he sees this he can tell you.

I will be modding it as I go, the 31s were always on the list and so was upgrading the axles to handle it. After these mods are fine and tested then I will work out what else I need if anything. Its all just for a bit of learning and fun do I'm sure I'll make a few mistakes with mods I choose to do along the way but I will learn from them for next time.

I never took any pics from wheeling but will be this time.

[Blakey]

if you wanted your winch to be high but to leverage from a lower point when not put in some lower rollers for the cable/rope to come out of and have the winch position to have the cable/rope downwards.

you would just need appropriately rated mounts for the roller to support the upwards pull of the winch as well as the outwards pull from the cable/rope.

if you cant make sense of that i can draw a picture. but yer have the winch mounted high but have its pulling force down low but changing where the cable/rope goes.

but i guess to do that you would need some strong rollers.

[SierraDan]

Blakey wrote:

but i guess to do that you would need some strong rollers.

Solid fairlead for rope. Cable is shit. Rope is awesome.