Modifying a non winch bullbar to suit a winch

[mf_shifty]

*** I HAVE SEARCHED UNDER MULTIPLE TITLES, WITH NO ANSWERS***

i have an ARB Deluxe non winch Bullbar on my 2005 (current shape) SR5.
I want to know if anyone knows anything about modifying to suit a low mount winch, I have spent a lot of time researching Lockers and figure i am more likely to get stuck through BELLYing the car, and will a safer option on the trips when taking only one car. PLUS I’m going to tighten up the shims in the LSD.

I’ve viewed the ‘Youtube’ video “a winch is born” following an ARB Bullbar through there plant, from start to finish, noting they make the winch its own little box and I’m sure it will need a face plate to stop it pulling through the front.
A lot of people who I’ve spoken to make it out to be an easy thing, but I’m sure when I pull the bar off, I will see multiple problems, any photos or advice will be much appreciated.
Another questions I have is will any work I do interfere with insurance?
Thanks, Matt.

[boxhead55]

Mat the bar looks the same but is completely different. All brackets are different and has the winch basket as extra as well

[mf_shifty]

Starting to think its gonna be a sell and buy again job...

[mf_shifty]

can anyone help, i now want to buy a winch cradle mounting plate, so that i can mount the winch straight to the chassie, but when reading all the details on chassie plates they recommend to bolt to chassie if you have an alloy bar, and weld to bull bar and strengthen if you have a steel bar (which i do).

why dont they recommend mounting to the chassie in both options? i would of thought it would be a safer option?
Thanks

[Kizzzaaa]

can anyone help, i now want to buy a winch cradle mounting plate, so that i can mount the winch straight to the chassie, but when reading all the details on chassie plates they recommend to bolt to chassie if you have an alloy bar, and weld to bull bar and strengthen if you have a steel bar (which i do).

why dont they recommend mounting to the chassie in both options? i would of thought it would be a safer option?
Thanks

Maybe because the steel bullbar has enough strength in itself to eliminate the need for chassis mounts? Possibly cost cutting by the manufacturer too.

[aussiefergo]

G'day Matt,

I was in the same position as you a while back. To sell the existing non winch bar and trya nd find a good second hand winch bar. i couldn't find any bars for sale near me.

I ended up getting my bar modified to suit a winch. The bloke who did it made a cradle to suit, it now looks like a normal ARB winch bar. I have mounted a Runva 11000 in there and have used it in anger, no dramas at all.

cheers

[boxhead55]

You can purchase all the winch related parts from toyota as required.

[mf_shifty]

G'day Matt,

I was in the same position as you a while back. To sell the existing non winch bar and trya nd find a good second hand winch bar. i couldn't find any bars for sale near me.

I ended up getting my bar modified to suit a winch. The bloke who did it made a cradle to suit, it now looks like a normal ARB winch bar. I have mounted a Runva 11000 in there and have used it in anger, no dramas at all.

cheers

yeah im looking to do the same, weld up a cradle then bolt that to the bar, because any welding on the exsisting bar is surly going to trash the paint...
ive been reading up about those Runvas too, think thats gonna be my choice too.
thanks

[aussiefergo]

yeah im looking to do the same, weld up a cradle then bolt that to the bar, because any welding on the exsisting bar is surly going to trash the paint...
ive been reading up about those Runvas too, think thats gonna be my choice too.
thanks[/quote]

yeah the welding did stuff the paint, not to worried though cause i have planned to pull the bar off eventually and spray it black,

[mf_shifty]

ok so im all done. took some planning and in the eand the answer seemed quite simple.
im sure theres goin to be mixed responses to this, but i am happy and as a fitter and turner im pritty confident in the result.

now ive just got to work out how to post pictures

[mf_shifty]

[img][IMG]http://i1274.photobucket.com/albums/y440/mf_shifty/photo1_zps7bb62fe3.jpg[/img][/img]

drafting

[mf_shifty]

opps

[mf_shifty]

[mf_shifty]

[mf_shifty]

[mf_shifty]

[mf_shifty]

[mf_shifty]

[mf_shifty]

now my only regrets were

-the use of low quality steel. when welding, it spat out so much impuritys that after a single pass with the arc it looked like two but runs

-making the bottom angle too close, it was alittle difficult to get the bottom winch mount bolts in.

other than that, im so pleased to finally have a winch on board, i um'd and ahhh'd about it for so long, and stressed everytime i ventured off the black top alone. now i can really get stuck in to this great hobbie without need of a more competent truck ready to pull me out of the shit
thanks everyone.

[mf_shifty]

ALSO VERY IMPORTANT... if you choose to copy what ive done, where ive marked the fiar lead holes. DISREGARD!
it looks shit there, centre it like i have. i had to weld up the holes but you cant see it anymore

heres a picture discribing the distance i would have increased to make it easier to install the bottom mounting bolts