mounting winch

[irwinsr5]

This is probably an obvious no however is there any way shape or form to mount a winch behind the stock bumper?

[expat]

Where there is the will, there is a way. To mount it behind the stock bumper - I think there's enough room. You would have to build some crossbrace to mount the winch on. You could not mount it to the stock bumper as it would just pull off. trying to build a mount for the winch behind the bumper would be tedious (lots of angles to work with) and for the time and money involved getting it right, you'd be better off juts getting a steel bumper like SW.

I imagine you'd have to build the mounting brace so that it bolts onto the two ends of the frame where the steel bumper bolts on, then bolt the stock bumper over it. Basically having the mounting brace sandwiched between the frame and the stock bumper.

I think you would also have to expect a much lower winching pull, than that mounted on a steel bumper. Maybe around 2-3,000lbs max. as opposed to 9000lbs on a correctly mounted Warn (as an example) on a steel bumper. It would be nearly imposisble to build enough strength behind the stock bumper to get the pull weight higher.

[irwinsr5]

Yah thats what I thought, it was more a hypothetical question then something I would ever actually pursue

[bulldog]

As expt said the only way is to make a mountin piece that fits on the frame extensions thtagoes tp the bumper. However these re crush cans designed for impact and only mount on the forward facing blt son the frame end. On both the ARB and Shrockworks bumper they use mounting brackets that also bolt to the side of the frame rails to improve strength for pulling. So if soemone can maybe relicate the crush cans with side mounts it might work.

Easier and probably safer route is just to get an aftermarket bumper.

[Mikestang]

With the right engineering and enough money anything is possible. If retaining the factory look and adding a winch is a must for you I'm sure you could contact a 4x4 fab shop and they could build something that would work, but if you don't mind (or even like!) the modified look then it's way simpler to buy an aftermarket bumper.

[irwinsr5]

Is there any noticable difference between the SW bumper and the ARB? Seems like most people use one of the two.

[bulldog]

Is there any noticable difference between the SW bumper and the ARB? Seems like most people use one of the two.

Search on the 4Runner and Outfitting sections for the 2 bumpers to get soem pictures of what each one looks like. I personally prefer the SW bumper to the ARB bumper for the followin reasons:
- The SW was designed and build in the US (not Oz like the ARB) thus it was adapted to US conditions better with a better approach angle than the ARB
- The SW also has splashguards on the sides to protect the air intake and washer bottle, the production ARB doesn't
- The SW can easily use aftermarket fog lights while the ARB uses their own expensive lights or you need to be innovative to mount in some aftermarket ones.
- The SW has easily accesable front recovery points, where as the ARB reuses the stock ones low down.
- The SW has a bracket and bumper mount system that allows for it to be adjustabel for body lifts.

Teh ARB has some advanages as well:
- CLaims to be airbag compatible (but with the shocks sensors used today all bumpers are airbag compatible)
- Made by a more recognized and bigger company

Not sure if I missed something

[irwinsr5]

Thanks Andries. I have seen pictures of both I was just wondering from a technical stand point why one would prefer one over the other. You hit the nail on the head though as far as my questions were concerned.

[Photog]

The question about mounting a winch behind the factory bumper, is something I have also been wondering about.

I have not found any other info about this either.

It seems like it would be simple enough to make the attach points the same as the SW bumper, and have a standard winch mounting plate, integrated into those attachments.

Then have the fairlead come through the opening above the bumper-crossbar.

This couln't possibly cost $1000 (price of a SW or ARB bumper).