In my previous winch mount bumper builds with a 12k lbs winch, you can bend 5/16” plate fairly easy during a recovery to the point it can crack or break the winch frame. I now prefer to use a receiver mounted winch on 1/2” plate, where I can use it in front or at the rear of the truck. Get a plasma cutter it is amazing how much it speeds up projects. Great construction, impressive skills and rig! I like it!
Thanks. What is not clear in my description, In addition to the 4x6x5/16 angle that is just the front half of the mount. The rear portion on the mount is a 2x2x1/4 angle with a 4x1/4 plate welded to it making a 2x6x1/4 angle on the back. The winch fits tightly in the groove the two angles make and is bolted through both with 6-1/2" bolts (4 in the bottom and 2 in the back}. I like the thought of a receiver mount but seeing the amount of force my 12k winch on my Jeep produces, I am pretty sure my 18k could overload the receiver tube if I used a single tube, even if I used a 2.5" receiver. With the winch weighing 97lbs and a receiver mount probably weighing 50-75 lbs, it also gets weighing almost too much to move. I do think having an option for a rear mount option is very helpful, possibly every bit as much as a front but thought that by the time I could build a DUAL receiver mount, it would weigh so much I wouldn't be able to move it. I do wish I had a plasma cutter and had one a long time ago. If I had designed this project the way I normally do, I would have made a detailed design and had parts CNC plasma cut which is relatively cheap but the design on the fly and decision to use tube parts to avoid bending plate was the price I paid. Good thoughts. There is often better ways than how I do it but because I have so many projects, I'm often pursuing a path with least total time and total cost, which are at odds with each other.
They were not close. Possibly around 100ft. When I bought the winch, it had no cable. It was intended to have 1/2" steel cable. I chose to use 14mm synthetic (32klb capacity) and bought a 45m (153') length, not knowing how much I could get on the drum. I was able to get 108' on the drum making an effective length of 90-95' (leaving a minimum of 3-4 wraps on the drum). I made the remnant into an extension/tow rope that is about 38' long. I also carry a 30'x1-1/8 dynamic rope and an 8' tree saver (both of which I had then), I could use to extend the line. I also have soft and hard shackles, my own version of an 'X-Lock' and a an improved 'load distribution plate' (from Factor 55 base design) both of which can be used as shortening tools for the line extension. I also have a new recovery jack system based on 8T hydraulic x 22" stroke connecting to 4 new receivers on front and rear. All are referenced in some of my later videos. I was also towing my Jeep which now has a 12k winch with 92' of 10mm synthetic line (15klb capacity), an additional 92' of 12mm synthetic line (22klb capacity) for it's own extension and a 30'x4" (35klb capacity) static strap. You might say, I'm pretty determined not to lack means if I get stuck again.
Nice work
In my previous winch mount bumper builds with a 12k lbs winch, you can bend 5/16” plate fairly easy during a recovery to the point it can crack or break the winch frame. I now prefer to use a receiver mounted winch on 1/2” plate, where I can use it in front or at the rear of the truck. Get a plasma cutter it is amazing how much it speeds up projects. Great construction, impressive skills and rig! I like it!
Thanks. What is not clear in my description, In addition to the 4x6x5/16 angle that is just the front half of the mount. The rear portion on the mount is a 2x2x1/4 angle with a 4x1/4 plate welded to it making a 2x6x1/4 angle on the back. The winch fits tightly in the groove the two angles make and is bolted through both with 6-1/2" bolts (4 in the bottom and 2 in the back}. I like the thought of a receiver mount but seeing the amount of force my 12k winch on my Jeep produces, I am pretty sure my 18k could overload the receiver tube if I used a single tube, even if I used a 2.5" receiver. With the winch weighing 97lbs and a receiver mount probably weighing 50-75 lbs, it also gets weighing almost too much to move. I do think having an option for a rear mount option is very helpful, possibly every bit as much as a front but thought that by the time I could build a DUAL receiver mount, it would weigh so much I wouldn't be able to move it. I do wish I had a plasma cutter and had one a long time ago. If I had designed this project the way I normally do, I would have made a detailed design and had parts CNC plasma cut which is relatively cheap but the design on the fly and decision to use tube parts to avoid bending plate was the price I paid. Good thoughts. There is often better ways than how I do it but because I have so many projects, I'm often pursuing a path with least total time and total cost, which are at odds with each other.
Where you showed your rig being stuck had no large trees nearby. Your new recovery winch would not have helped you!
They were not close. Possibly around 100ft. When I bought the winch, it had no cable. It was intended to have 1/2" steel cable. I chose to use 14mm synthetic (32klb capacity) and bought a 45m (153') length, not knowing how much I could get on the drum. I was able to get 108' on the drum making an effective length of 90-95' (leaving a minimum of 3-4 wraps on the drum). I made the remnant into an extension/tow rope that is about 38' long. I also carry a 30'x1-1/8 dynamic rope and an 8' tree saver (both of which I had then), I could use to extend the line. I also have soft and hard shackles, my own version of an 'X-Lock' and a an improved 'load distribution plate' (from Factor 55 base design) both of which can be used as shortening tools for the line extension. I also have a new recovery jack system based on 8T hydraulic x 22" stroke connecting to 4 new receivers on front and rear. All are referenced in some of my later videos.
I was also towing my Jeep which now has a 12k winch with 92' of 10mm synthetic line (15klb capacity), an additional 92' of 12mm synthetic line (22klb capacity) for it's own extension and a 30'x4" (35klb capacity) static strap.
You might say, I'm pretty determined not to lack means if I get stuck again.