Electric winch mounting and winch options.

[canasync]

Started this topic in my custom bumper build thread but I think that there is enough interest to start this one as well.

I have been trying to decide about where to mount my winch. If it is mounted on the bumper or in the old spare tire area it will be out of the way and more secure from theft but if I keep it removable using 2" receivers then I can relocate it front to rear as needed.

Mounting it under the van in the spare tire area keeps the center of gravity lower, looks stealthy, and free's up space on the bumper but I worry about water crossings, mud, and being able to reach the free spool lever and plug ins if the nose is buried in mud or rocks.

The receiver mount would give me the most versatility but can have its drawbacks as well.
_________________
1987 Syncro
3 knobs
PumpeDüse TDI (17mm Garret Turbo, bigger injectors, stage 4 malone tune, intercooled)
Cruise Control
Remote Start/locks
Custom Lift
Custom Bumpers with receivers
Coast Mountain Hightop - Comming Soon

1985 2wd Vanagon Pre-runner in the making
soon to be powered by 2.5L Subaru
Custom Lift

[andy syncro-nutz]

Here is just a couple ive done,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14602120@N03/sets/72157626098273168/

[Alaric.H]

Just do front and rear

[joseph928]

I like the winch on the bumper. I have plans for the spare tire,2nd gas tank? I have an 8,000 lb. winch, don't think the 2 inch hitch would hold the torque . Would like a custom bumper and winch mt. but if the cost is to high i'll go with a Gary Lee mt. and use my stock bumper.But I will keep me eye on this to see where it goes.
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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.

[hans j]

My plan is to use a receiver mount in the reinforced bumpers I build, front and rear. I wouldn't need a winch for 95% of my trips but if I do it would be nice to be able to put it in either end, or possibly hook it on to another car that might be stuck and I couldn't get to it.

I think some Range Rovers had a center mounted winch with a pulley system so you could run it through the front or back. That would be pretty cool and we do have the space but you would want it set up before you enter the obstacle where you might get stuck.

You might be able to decrease the force the winch pulls using a pulley block? Not sure on my physics on that one.

I do like Das Mule's set up in the spare tire area though!

I am also thinking if you are planning on building or mounting the winch to the bumper, it's going to have to be reinforced anyway. A 2" receiver is going to be attached to the same bumper, so that's why I figure on using the receiver to mount it.

http://www.bb4wa.com/articles/Accessories-winch.html this guy doesn't like hitch mounted winches, and has some very valid points for not liking them.

I am not opposed to just a front bumper mounted winch, I just like the versatility of either end. Searching more on the internet reveals mixed results on peoples opinions on receiver mount winches. It will be interesting to read as more people chime in, hopefully with experiences with both.
_________________
1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[Love My Westy]

The last thing I want is to haul a winch along on highway trips. I don't even have my winch mounted permently on my 4WD pickup. It's about 90 extra pounds to haul. I use it for Baja trips or southern Utah where I might need it but why haul it otherwise. I vote for the receiver mount front and rear.

[Alaric.H]

The ones with the air compressor built in do double duty so they are pretty handy.

[Syncroincity]

Anyone look into hydraulic-powered winches? You run a tap off your power steering line.
More expensive, though...

_________________
'86 Syncro CHC Top AAZ Turbodiesel
'04 Passat Variant 4Mo 5MT

Vanagon Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466866&highlight=

[tencentlife]

Can't put the spare Yoko in the clamshell, too big, and I had a cheapo winch laying around, so:

box tube thru the front crush beam

converted the winch pan/fairlead bracket

extra braces to the bottom welded seam

hung the winch on some 4" C-section between the frame rails

cutout in stock bumper

150A breaker protects aux batt feeder and a 6ga feeder to front

switchgear behind grille right side, fused 10ga feeders continue on to left side to

a bank of 4-relays that power all headlights and low-speed rad fan manual activation

winch remote socket mounted in grille

or this switch converts turn signal stalk switch to winch controller, at the same time activates idle speed boost and

a big warning light when it is in winch mode. Small rocker with blue LED is rad fan low speed activation for offroading, also boosts idle speed.
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Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/

Please don't PM here, I will not reply.

Experience is kryptonite to doctrine.

[mmmdiesel]

Well after nearly spending a night in my van tonight with the bumper wedged on a log and the van in well over 2' of water, I would definately vote for receiver mounted. Thanks to the case of beer which motivated the two good ole boys in the lifted Ranger who gave me a tug. This would have of course been avoidable if I had walked through this section of trail in question and if I had been travelling with another vehicle.
_________________
1998 T4 Caravelle 2.5 Tdi
2000 Eurovan Multivan 2.8 VR6
1960's Heilite Single Wheel

[canasync]

Damn Tencent thats awesome, I love it!!

I think that since I don't have money for two winches at this time I will be going for the 2" receiver route. I made this decision tonight for the simple reason that if a buddy of mine and I would have had the possibility to winch backwards about 7 hours ago we would not have been stuck for over an hour and a half.

Mind you, if we would have had an axe, shovel, and proper recovery gear OR a second vehicle we would have been out alot quicker too
_________________
1987 Syncro
3 knobs
PumpeDüse TDI (17mm Garret Turbo, bigger injectors, stage 4 malone tune, intercooled)
Cruise Control
Remote Start/locks
Custom Lift
Custom Bumpers with receivers
Coast Mountain Hightop - Comming Soon

1985 2wd Vanagon Pre-runner in the making
soon to be powered by 2.5L Subaru
Custom Lift

[canasync]

I was trying to keep my friend anonymous but since he made his post while I was writing mine I wonder if he'll allow me to post the video.

Maybe I should I wait till the wound has healed
_________________
1987 Syncro
3 knobs
PumpeDüse TDI (17mm Garret Turbo, bigger injectors, stage 4 malone tune, intercooled)
Cruise Control
Remote Start/locks
Custom Lift
Custom Bumpers with receivers
Coast Mountain Hightop - Comming Soon

1985 2wd Vanagon Pre-runner in the making
soon to be powered by 2.5L Subaru
Custom Lift

[mmmdiesel]

[syncrodoka]

[canasync]

[Love My Westy]

[Alaric.H]

Link

[Zeitgeist 13]

[IrideWheelies]

[GrindGarage]

Hidden winch is awesome.
Reciver mount is good move.
Keep the winch in truck until needed. I.got stuck with a buddy in a bronco had winch on front bumper Reciver and hit something in a big puddle that got us stuck plus ruined the winch. Nothing like loosing plan B in the middle of nowhere.
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-cliff

91 Vanagon AUTO
97 Single Port EJ22 all smallcar.com