Anyone Interested in Winch Mount Platform?

[ckouba]

Got my hands on a winch and have set about getting it mounted. After some mental sketching followed by some CAD, I ended up with a plywood prototype. Plan would be to draw it up and have it cut from 1/2" plate, then weld together. I didn't do any FEA on it, instead using the brute force engineering method of figuring 1/2" steel can carry the static and dynamic loadings it might enounter- certainly as much as the bolts securing the winch to it.

As it sits, it is effectively a "bolt on" fixture to mount on the shackle points, making it i(in theory), removable. If I ever needed to tow the rig, it would be removed, but beyond that, it will stay on. I haven't priced it out yet but would anyone be interested in something like this for their truck? I can leave the holes out of the base plate so you could put the correct pattern in as needed. Also may be able to furnish a winch if someone was interested (Superwinch, 18k, 24V).

Blue tape area would be additional steel for triangulation. Forward shackle points would be extended slightly and use box tube instead of solid bar, tying into the upper bolt area in double shear for additional strength.













Also fits the A1R bumper:











After working on this version, also thinking about a rev 2 which would require cutting into the bumper and relocating the gladhands, but would recess the whole assembly ~4" back into the bumper.

Thoughts?

 

[Mullaney]

Got my hands on a winch and have set about getting it mounted. After some mental sketching followed by some CAD, I ended up with a plywood prototype. Plan would be to draw it up and have it cut from 1/2" plate, then weld together. I didn't do any FEA on it, instead using the brute force engineering method of figuring 1/2" steel can carry the static and dynamic loadings it might enounter- certainly as much as the bolts securing the winch to it.

As it sits, it is effectively a "bolt on" fixture to mount on the shackle points, making it i(in theory), removable. If I ever needed to tow the rig, it would be removed, but beyond that, it will stay on. I haven't priced it out yet but would anyone be interested in something like this for their truck? I can leave the holes out of the base plate so you could put the correct pattern in as needed. Also may be able to furnish a winch if someone was interested (Superwinch, 18k, 24V).

Blue tape area would be additional steel for triangulation. Forward shackle points would be extended slightly and use box tube instead of solid bar, tying into the upper bolt area in double shear for additional strength.

View attachment 951366

View attachment 951367

View attachment 951368

View attachment 951369

View attachment 951370



Also fits the A1R bumper:
View attachment 951371

View attachment 951372

View attachment 951373

View attachment 951374

View attachment 951375


After working on this version, also thinking about a rev 2 which would require cutting into the bumper and relocating the gladhands, but would recess the whole assembly ~4" back into the bumper.

Thoughts?

.
Yeah! You might take a look at @chucky 's version of the same...
Metal plate - but he has a cover on top of his.

CHUCKY'S TREE HOUSE !

. Yeah! That might be more fun! Depends on how big the platform is... Might have to install an exercise pole too... And then we both go to cuomo jail :-( [/QUO I see you have played this game before ! Nothing better than helping naked beggars pay their car note and go camping at the same...

www.steelsoldiers.com

and

CHUCKY'S TREE HOUSE !

I think it was 95 or 96 a friend of mine gave me Norman's Audio Biography {IT DOESNT TAKE A HERO} 4 cassetts back then and literally changed my life the way i thought , conducted myself , at the time its like this is how to be a man your grandfather would have told you speach but not a speach at...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[hike]

Keith here did cut the bumper connecting directly to the frame rails—

Keith's M1078A1 Project Overland

Thanks geo but I’m just finishing the new generator installation. I made it able to swing out for servicing. Freshly fabricated and leak tested 50 gallon gasoline tank. Finale resting place for the tank. The gas cap is getting painted, that’s why it’s not on there. I even put a spark...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[AKPacker]

Timely thread! I've been researching winches the past few days and was looking into different mounting options. I like the look of yours and that it is bolt-on. Would it be possible to mount it on the rear shackle points as well? With some carry handles on the sides it could be huffed around to winch off the back like a heavy duty version of those hitch-mount winch cradles.

 

[ckouba]

Timely thread! I've been researching winches the past few days and was looking into different mounting options. I like the look of yours and that it is bolt-on. Would it be possible to mount it on the rear shackle points as well? With some carry handles on the sides it could be huffed around to winch off the back like a heavy duty version of those hitch-mount winch cradles.

Possible, yes. Awkward, definitely! The winch itself is quite heavy, and the additional steel will make it a two person activity. Not impossible though.

Keith here did cut the bumper connecting directly to the frame rails—

Keith's M1078A1 Project Overland

Thanks geo but I’m just finishing the new generator installation. I made it able to swing out for servicing. Freshly fabricated and leak tested 50 gallon gasoline tank. Finale resting place for the tank. The gas cap is getting painted, that’s why it’s not on there. I even put a spark...

www.steelsoldiers.com

I am liking that!! I think the bumper cut version just jumped to the top of my list.

 

[AKPacker]

Possible, yes. Awkward, definitely! The winch itself is quite heavy, and the additional steel will make it a two person activity. Not impossible thoughg.

Yeah that's what I was envisioning - it would be semi permanently mounted on one end, but could be dragged around and hooked up at the other end in an emergency.

 

[Keith Knight]

If anyone needs more photos of mine, let me know! My number one goal was keeping it tucked as close to the cross member tube as possible.
I do like the idea of your design especially if it fit the rear! Then could possibly keep it on the rear and move it forward when needed.

 

[Keith Knight]

Just measured the rear outside to outside of the shackle mount is 34 1/2, front is 34. So a 1/4” spacer on each side for the front and you’re golden!

 

[tommys2patrick]

I thought the factory had a midship winch mount system that offered tugging options to either end of the vehicle. I supposed if the vehicle has already been heavily modified that many not be an option now.

 

[ckouba]

I thought the factory had a midship winch mount system that offered tugging options to either end of the vehicle. I supposed if the vehicle has already been heavily modified that many not be an option now.

That is accurate, but only optioned out units have the winch. Specifically, mine doesn't.

 

[Ronmar]

That is accurate, but only optioned out units have the winch. Specifically, mine doesn't.

and if i were putting in an electric i would put it back there and set it up for the front/rear pull like a FOERS winch. Cable runs to the battery are way shorter back there...

 

[GeneralDisorder]

and if i were putting in an electric i would put it back there and set it up for the front/rear pull like a FOERS winch. Cable runs to the battery are way shorter back there...

Could also run them strictly from the slave receptacle and not have any permanent wiring.

 

[chucky]

Got my hands on a winch and have set about getting it mounted. After some mental sketching followed by some CAD, I ended up with a plywood prototype. Plan would be to draw it up and have it cut from 1/2" plate, then weld together. I didn't do any FEA on it, instead using the brute force engineering method of figuring 1/2" steel can carry the static and dynamic loadings it might enounter- certainly as much as the bolts securing the winch to it.

As it sits, it is effectively a "bolt on" fixture to mount on the shackle points, making it i(in theory), removable. If I ever needed to tow the rig, it would be removed, but beyond that, it will stay on. I haven't priced it out yet but would anyone be interested in something like this for their truck? I can leave the holes out of the base plate so you could put the correct pattern in as needed. Also may be able to furnish a winch if someone was interested (Superwinch, 18k, 24V).

Blue tape area would be additional steel for triangulation. Forward shackle points would be extended slightly and use box tube instead of solid bar, tying into the upper bolt area in double shear for additional strength.

View attachment 951366

View attachment 951367

View attachment 951368

View attachment 951369

View attachment 951370



Also fits the A1R bumper:
View attachment 951371

View attachment 951372

View attachment 951373

View attachment 951374

View attachment 951375


After working on this version, also thinking about a rev 2 which would require cutting into the bumper and relocating the gladhands, but would recess the whole assembly ~4" back into the bumper.

Thoughts?

Man thats nice lookin ! And this is me just thinking out loud but at the moment all the stress in a pull is only on the 4 bottom bolts into the winch so in a hard pull from a little bit off to the side thats gona tweek that winch housing ! If you just add say some 1/2 in plate coming up off that bottom plate in front of the hawse fairlead and bolt into those 4 hole the factory ment for folks to use to let the winch rest against that front plate instead of the winch body taking all the pull ! An easy fix to really make that thing bullet proof !

 

[Keith Knight]

So correct on flat mounting a winch relying on the 4 bolts is taking the bolts to max capacity. Rotate the winch 90 degrees and weld the heck out of it and then puts the stress on the bottom and not the bolts.

 

[dwlindsey]

Got my hands on a winch and have set about getting it mounted. After some mental sketching followed by some CAD, I ended up with a plywood prototype. Plan would be to draw it up and have it cut from 1/2" plate, then weld together. I didn't do any FEA on it, instead using the brute force engineering method of figuring 1/2" steel can carry the static and dynamic loadings it might enounter- certainly as much as the bolts securing the winch to it.

As it sits, it is effectively a "bolt on" fixture to mount on the shackle points, making it i(in theory), removable. If I ever needed to tow the rig, it would be removed, but beyond that, it will stay on. I haven't priced it out yet but would anyone be interested in something like this for their truck? I can leave the holes out of the base plate so you could put the correct pattern in as needed. Also may be able to furnish a winch if someone was interested (Superwinch, 18k, 24V).

Blue tape area would be additional steel for triangulation. Forward shackle points would be extended slightly and use box tube instead of solid bar, tying into the upper bolt area in double shear for additional strength.

View attachment 951366

View attachment 951367

View attachment 951368

View attachment 951369

View attachment 951370



Also fits the A1R bumper:
View attachment 951371

View attachment 951372

View attachment 951373

View attachment 951374

View attachment 951375


After working on this version, also thinking about a rev 2 which would require cutting into the bumper and relocating the gladhands, but would recess the whole assembly ~4" back into the bumper.

Thoughts?

Chris:

I was just contemplating such a structure this afternoon, but you've already done it.

I want one.

I like the idea of the unmodified bumper, your version 1.

If you make a CAD drawing and are willing to share it, I can get mine fabbed, or make a few of them.

Dwight

 

[ckouba]

Chris:

I was just contemplating such a structure this afternoon, but you've already done it.

I want one.

I like the idea of the unmodified bumper, your version 1.

If you make a CAD drawing and are willing to share it, I can get mine fabbed, or make a few of them.

Dwight

Hey Dwight,

I haven't drawn anything up yet for cutting files, and after seeing what Keith did, I am hearing that siren's song. Give me a little time to get things figured out. I may not end up doing the V1 and in the worst case, I can just send you the plywood pieces to test fit and create a drawing from if I go with the trimmed bumper route.

Chris

 

[dwlindsey]

Hey Dwight,

I haven't drawn anything up yet for cutting files, and after seeing what Keith did, I am hearing that siren's song. Give me a little time to get things figured out. I may not end up doing the V1 and in the worst case, I can just send you the plywood pieces to test fit and create a drawing from if I go with the trimmed bumper route.

Chris

Chris:

If you'd be willing to part with the plywood for a little while, you could send the pieces to me using my FEDEX account and we'd make the drawings, we could then return the plywood to you if you need it.

 

[ckouba]

Chris:

If you'd be willing to part with the plywood for a little while, you could send the pieces to me using my FEDEX account and we'd make the drawings, we could then return the plywood to you if you need it.

Hey Dwight,

Sure, that can be arranged. Email or PM me details and I will get the pieces out to you.

 

[dwlindsey]

Hey Dwight,

Sure, that can be arranged. Email or PM me details and I will get the pieces out to you.

I emailed you the address and FEDEX info. After we make the drawings, with your permission I'll make them available to anyone who wants them

 

[ckouba]

Replied to your email. No issues on posting the files. This forum has been immensely helpful in my MTV journey and I'd be happy to share your work getting the pattern digitized.

There are a few things about the plywood pieces:

1. You'll want to re-profile where the new, forward holes are for the shackles. As I have them currently, the shackles don't hang freely. It requires clearance on the underside but also a little bit further forward extension to have them clear the triangulation of the bottom plate.
2. The plywood pieces I have as the triangulation are just rem's from the off-cuts of the base. They will need some trimming or trigonometry to get the proper shape.
3. I intended to add additional small triangles (gussets) along the side plates to base plate welds, both for security in service but also to align during the assembly process.
4. Be sure to size the plates to accommodate the weldment. The plywood base is 34" wide, but in steel, you may want it 35" to butt the side plates down on its top surface.

If any of the above doesn't make sense, give me a call and I can walk you through the thought process.

I hate to hand off a half-thought through project, but I trust you will be able to fill in the blanks effectively. I also won't be offended if you are suddenly uninclined to use the pattern as well.

After further review, I am growing more certain that I will be doing the trimmed bumper version. I just really like the concept of it trimmed back as much as possible.