In need of a winch mount

[Robbie_]

I have had my H3 for almost a year now, and still don't have a winch. I am strongly considering the one of the Smittybilt winches. My favorite winch mount/bumper is the ARB, but I don't have the budget to spend $1300 just yet. So if you guys would post pictures of your setups I would appreciate that.

 

[4speedfunk]

How bout a THORparts front bumper with grille & light pods...$799.
Or...just a THORparts front bumper by itself (cut & modify your plastic front end)...$425.
Or...just a THORparts front bumper in raw steel (no powdercoat)...$399.

Send me a PM with your zipcode and I'll get you a shipping quote.

 

[cgalpha08]

Ok so here are your options

Arb
Thorparts
http://thorparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

BA (if you can find it on ebay/craigslist/here)

cbphoto mount (not sure if he still makes them)

DOI/delforce/predator, different manufactuers but basically the same looking

Steelcraft brush gaurd/winch mount combo
http://www.teakatoys.com/Hummer_H3_...o_by_TeakaToys_p/sc-50280-wm-mm-76-50246b.htm

There is also tough coountry, but that will run you 1400 bug ones
Road armor/iron bumpers, something like that makes one, cant find it though.

 

[Happy Hummer]

You could go with a curt front 2 inch class iii hitch and slide a HF winch cradle in it.

Chris

 

[Bananatank]

How bout a THORparts front bumper with grille & light pods...$799.
Or...just a THORparts front bumper by itself (cut & modify your plastic front end)...$425.
Or...just a THORparts front bumper in raw steel (no powdercoat)...$399.

Send me a PM with your zipcode and I'll get you a shipping quote.

That one for 425 that still comes with a winch mount?

 

[Bananatank]

And you could go with this better price than from teaka toys actually carid is cheaper

 

[Best4x4]

Key selling point with my Alpha was the ARB, and Warn M8000 winch. I got it below KBB/NADA, and the dealership I bought it from didn't even put the bumper/winch in the options list. It was also super clean, and well maintained. The ARB Bumper probably takes some approach angle away, but the quality is so good, it's worth every penny, and extremely strong.

 

[Robbie_]

You could go with a curt front 2 inch class iii hitch and slide a HF winch cradle in it.

Chris

I like the idea of this, but you have to remove the skid plate in order to install the front hitch. I am mostly in the mud, so I guess I don't need a skid plate all too much

 

[Robbie_]

And you could go with this better price than from teaka toys View attachment 16178 actually carid is cheaper View attachment 16179

Do you know of anybody that runs one of these? Is the winch plate a separate piece than the brush guard, or is the welded together as one piece?

 

[Edwin]

Funny that you made this thread I am current making my own hidden winch mount


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[Edwin]

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[Bananatank]

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I saw that on Instagram looks sick

 

[Robbie_]

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I really like the looks of this mount. How far away are you from finishing this?

 

[ffmf2101]

That hidden mount looks awesome

 

[Happy Hummer]

Actually you don't have to leave skid plate off. There is a forum member who cut the opening in the plate for the 2" class iii hitch. It looked gr8!

Chris

That is the way I'm headed. It is so much more useful to and for me. I can attach draw bar to steer trailer or to attach other items too.

 

[RamRod]

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Looks very similar to mine! I love the hidden winch look/setup

 

[Edwin]

Looks very similar to mine! I love the hidden winch look/setup

Yep mine is still a work in progress but hopefully it ends well and works good


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[Edwin]

I really like the looks of this mount. How far away are you from finishing this?

Well I left it as is today because I had no time but once I get to work it should only be about a day or so of finishing up.


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[Robbie_]

Ramrod, did you make your own hidden winch too? I would be interested in buying one of these hidden mounts if either one of you two were willing to sell one!

 

[cgalpha08]

Schwartzzy makes them
http://schwarttzy.com/shop/h3-hummer-hidden-winch-mount/

He said he was going out of town for awhile, and I do not remember exactly when that was.

 

[Robbie_]

Is it difficult to free the spool or make sure that the cable doesn't kink while winching in?

 

[4speedfunk]

Hidden winches certainly look better but, I ran a BA bumper for a year and hated it. If you winch 4 or 5 times a day...for several days a month...you will quickly discover the drawbacks of the hidden design. Winch maintenance is very difficult. It's often impossible to see the drum to properly spool the line in. I wadded my steel line so badly inside the BA...I had to replace it. That's what led to the THORparts design.

That being said...you need to figure out how much and how hardcore your winching duties will be. The THORparts is all function. Small, lightweight, strong, with the winch mounted high and fully exposed. It mounts to the frame using the eight factory attachment points. It's made for full time, hardcore winching and full access to the drum and controls. Everything else is secondary. The minimal size, open-tire, aggressive styling might turn-off the occasional wheeler. If corner protection is your priority...this isn't the bumper for you.

 

[Robbie_]

Hidden winches certainly look better but, I ran a BA bumper for a year and hated it. If you winch 4 or 5 times a day...for several days a month...you will quickly discover the drawbacks of the hidden design. Winch maintenance is very difficult. It's often impossible to see the drum to properly spool the line in. I wadded my steel line so badly inside the BA...I had to replace it. That's what led to the THORparts design.

That being said...you need to figure out how much and how hardcore your winching duties will be. The THORparts is all function. Small, lightweight, strong, with the winch mounted high and fully exposed. It mounts to the frame using the eight factory attachment points. It's made for full time, hardcore winching and full access to the drum and controls. Everything else is secondary. The minimal size, open-tire, aggressive styling might turn-off the occasional wheeler. If corner protection is your priority...this isn't the bumper for you.

That isn't a Thor parts bumper that you attached pictures of, is it?

 

[K0PIR]

Do you know of anybody that runs one of these? Is the winch plate a separate piece than the brush guard, or is the welded together as one piece?

I have one, but don't have the winch mounted yet. They are welded together. It's a good combo.

 

[Best4x4]

The Winch inside the ARB is hidden, but it has a good amount of room around it. I don't winch every 5 seconds, but I have used it out on the trail with zero issues.