Ok. So I am in the process of making something to mount my winch to. So far, I have reinforced front rails with 3/16" and then went across the front with 1/4"
My plan is to mount the winch to the 1/4" up front and then build a bumper around it that's removable. Is that strong enough on it's own, or should I put another plate of 1/4" on the backside of the crossmember as well? Or, something else altogether? Thanks.

 

Might as well use this for the build thread for it too. Was able to get it mounted up so I can start designing around it.

 

They aren't designed to be mounted like that, the force will be too strong on the bolts, likely causing them to break.

 

Well shoot. Good thing I asked. I've got to rethink this. Never thought that would be an issue!

 

The way you want to mount your winch MAY be perfectly acceptable. The bolts are not the problem, the design of the winch may be however. Check with your winch manufacturer for approved orientations (Usually found in the owners manual). Check the net for the manual if you don't have one.

 

Personally, I'd want it mounted the complete opposite from the way you have it.

I cut out my factory cross member and mounted the feet of my winch to the inside face of my bumper. That way all the cross bars on the winch aren't in the way of the cable.

You'll have to zoom in:

 

That looks sharp!

 

Progress! This project sure is teaching me the time, patience, skill, and consumables it takes for this to happen. I still have a ways to go, but I am happy so far.

 

That looks like a much better plan.

Be sure to add more than just the 3 front bolt holes to the brackets, though. Incorporate the steering bolts bolts and the same holes on the passenger side. My bumper is held on with 12 bolts.

 

The reinforcement plates go back that far, just not the bumper mounts. The reinforcements are 3/16" welded and bolted, then the bumper mounts are 1/4" helpd on by the factory center bolt, then front two are upgraded to 7/16" grade 8. Should be enough for my needs, wich usually include getting winched out of mud. Love all the feedback from eveyone though. I'm learning on the fly.

 

Ah, yeah. I forgot you did that.

That should be fine.

 

Went to 4WP during lunch and picked up this today.

 

Hmmm, Never seen a fairlead quite like that.

 

Me either, I like the low profile

 

Smittybuilt low-profile roller fairlead.