Winch Plate With Saginaw Box

What have you used?

I know i can buy c-channel at the metal store. Been there - done that. How about off the shelf options that have holes already?

I want to mount it on top of these risers to clear the saginaw box and i’ll be keeping my tux park front bumper:



My plates are 29” to the outside surfaces.

Harbor freight?
Warn?
Rugged ridge?

Amazon has lots of choices, too. Alot of them seem too wide at 34-36”, but i Can cut them down if needed?

Not too worried about blocking the radiator, though an engineer friend suggested i could mount the winch upside down. Cool idea.

 

I was offered a busted PTO winch once. I was told the worm gear had been destroyed when it was mounted upside down and had insufficient oiling.

 

What type/brand of winch are you using ?

 

No winch yet. Probably a Warn. VR or M8

 

Yeah, i’ll most likely just mount it right side up. I’ve heard similar issues, though feet forward is a normal orientation for winches in an ARB bull bar, so i can’t imagine electric winches having issues.

 

And thanks for the move, mods. Forgot there was a winches section.

 

I used a universal winch plate from HF. Its hard to see in the picture but there is a piece of 1/4" wall square tube between the end for the plate and the frame to space the plate up. I ended up moving the solenoid box the the engine bay so it wont block as much air flow to the radiator.

 

I used Warn's winch mount for a CJ, but my Saginaw is mounted much lower than yours. I used a stock steering gear mounting bracket from an intermediate CJ, and it actually bolts to the winch mount as well as the frame rail.

 

Ok, thx for the info. Great to hear that rthe CJ kit works. I’ll keep that install in mind.

Yeah, my box is mounted pretty high, but for now it’s location goes on the “if it ain’t broke” list. Might end up moving it later, but it seems to work great right now with the current pitman arm installed.

 

Thanks for the reply! The solenoid box in the engine compartment is my plan, too.

 

Got started last night:



Trimmed the universal plate a bit to clear fenders on each side:


Cut some 1/4” angle and put down a few tacks and short runs with the mig welder to keep everything from moving.

 

I was a press brake operator at the time when I made this one. It's bolted to the side of the frame vs the top. If you have access to one or where you get your metal might have one it is a good option. I have used a bearing press for forming metal also.

 

Depending on what winch you may be able to place it lower and next to the steering gear. This is a Warm mount plate welded to top of bumper and another plate welded to bottom of bumper. Center top section of bumper is removed.

 

Thanks for the replies all. Here’s where i’m ending up.
Ignore the Hawse fairlead. My M8000 arrived and the roller fairlead fits almost exactly how i was hoping with the rollers pushing just a hair past the chrome Tux bumper.


I’m about 1.5” above the frame rails which allows for tool/wrench access to the steering box and also for the 3/4” grade 8 fasteners i wanted to use in addition to some minimal reinforcing welds.


I’m looking at other installs and even if i don’t put the control box in the engine compartment like i’m planning, i don’t think this sits too high for radiator airflow.

 

Another view. I have yet to trim the Harbor Frieght universal winch plate to length at each end (red arrow).



I’ll post up some pics once i have the winch and fairlead test fitted.

 

What kind of hook is that?

 

It's this style of safety hook I've had for years. Ii was originally on a X Line synthetic winch line from ORO that I wore out.

3/8 Grade 80 Eye Self Locking Hook [338110] - $35.95 : Yellow Lifting & Hardware LLC, Lifting and Rigging Hardware Supplier

 

This thread is the gift that keeps on giving. Now i need one of those hooks, thanks!

Made some progress:

 

Completed this project. pretty happy with the results.

 

Here's a few "in-progress and close-up pics for anyone interested.