FINALLY - A winch mount brush guard!!! - Page 2

John Harden · 07-13-2006, 08:31 PM

Well, 4X4 Parts really stepped up and shipped me a replacement winch mount guard, OVERNIGHT UPS from Florida to California. I didn't ask them to do this, they just went and did it on their own.

The package weighs 135 pounds and I don't even want to think about how much that much have cost them. It's outstanding customer service like this that keeps customers happy and deserves to be mentioned. They're a featured sponsor here, so if any of you are in the market for Titan parts and accessories, do yourself a favor and give them a call or check out their excellent website.

It's scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I'll be at an all day offroad clinic on Saturday but will install it on Sunday and post pics of the installation and finished product for you folks to see.

From what I can tell, it should be a pretty easy installation. You only have to remove the factory skid plate and tow hooks, which I've done many times, then also the front plastic grill and bumper. That, I've never done, but it looks pretty easy. After that it bolts right on using supplied hardware.

I'm already thinking about how and where to mount offroad lights and maybe a high lift to it.

Regards,

John

troutking · 07-13-2006, 08:32 PM

That thing is sweet! Stylish yet understated! Adds to the looks without looking all huge and Hickish. How much does a wench weigh? Will this setup pull the front end down?

John Harden · 07-13-2006, 09:05 PM

The winch mount guard weighs about 90 pounds with brackets and hardware.

The weight ofyour winch will vary by manufacturer. My SI12000 winch from Mile Marker weighs about 90 pounds, so together with the mount, you adding about 180 pounds to the extreme front end of your truck. You can cut about 30 pounds or so off your winch weight by switching to a poly rope over the steel one that comes from the factory.

Most definitely this will bring the font of your truck down. I'm guessing about 1" or so, but we'll see. Thanks for reminding me of this. I'll measure the height of the front before and after to see what the difference is.

Regards,

John

PossumValleyTitan · 07-14-2006, 11:30 AM

Hey TK -- About your question:

"...How much does a wench weigh? ..."

Check out http://www.titantalk.com/forums/off-...bably-nws.html. Some of these weigh more than others, and some have more lift than others ...

troutking · 07-14-2006, 11:34 AM

I knew in the back of my mind someone would go that route.

PossumValleyTitan · 07-14-2006, 11:36 AM

I figured it was a typo, but it made me laugh!

troutking · 07-14-2006, 11:37 AM

I was hoping someone would post a funny pic of a fat chick on the hood.

WYSIWYG · 07-14-2006, 12:21 PM

Does anybody have any pics of the finished product? Multiple angles of one mounted would really help me. Better yet, with a winch. I'm really thinking about this, but need to see more.

Thanks.

WYSIWYG · 07-14-2006, 12:24 PM

Sorry, just read the rest of the threads. Guess I'm a little eager. lol

-C

John Harden · 07-14-2006, 08:48 PM

The replacement arrived today and appears to be fine. I'll be installing it on Sunday and will post pics of both the install and finished product from multiple angles if that's what you want to see.

I'll also be able to post pics before and after winch mounting. It's only four bolts to attach the winch, plus two for the fairlead, so it'll only take five minutes for that.

My torque wrench and other tools are lined up and ready to go!!

Regards,

John

Chris93Si · 07-15-2006, 01:40 AM

In for some installed pics

TexasTitanXE · 07-15-2006, 04:04 AM

I agree with you John. That is a very nice looking brush guard. I really like the idea of leaving the OE bumper on there and adding this piece out front. Nice find. Good luck with the install and looking forward to seeing the installed version. Dontcha' love internet forums!
David

Blackin · 07-15-2006, 11:00 AM

Hey John... I really like that front guard. With the wheel/tire combo, wheel-well trim and such.... makes a damn fine looking combo.

Good looking truck man! (And that's saying alot coming from me!)

John Harden · 07-16-2006, 01:24 PM

Well, I installed the winch mount guard today. Very impressed with it, both the design and hardware. All hardware is grade 8 or better and comes neatly wrapped with instructions that include the appropriate torque specification for each bolt. Pics are below. I'll have to do this in multiple e-mails in order to fit in all the pics. Hope you don't mind.

The first one shows the truck stock (well, with my lift, shocks, etc.). I'll describe the installation that goes with the pics.

1. Remove the grill and bumper, then the skid plate and tow hooks.

2. Install the upper braces, which are 3/8" thick flat bar with a 90 degree bend in them. Clever design, whereby you fish a nut up into the frame cross member and use a bolt with flat and lock washer from the rear. Nut is supplied and comes with a 6" long rod welded to it so fishing it up into the cross member for installation is a snap.

3. Now install the lower braces, first on the face side using the supplied metric hardware. Then, you bolt them from below along with the tow hooks and skid plate hardware using the stock bolts. Torque to specification supplied.

John Harden · 07-16-2006, 01:29 PM

Here's more pics of the install and step 4 and 5.

4. Now it's simply a matter of lifting the winch guard up onto the brackets and bolting it down. Follow the instructions and this will go fast.
Here's another pic of the lower brackets installed, then I'll continue with the installation steps.

5. Next, you drill up from the bottom of the winch tray. The upper braces come supplied with a 1/2" hole in the end and you use this as a guide to drill a 1/2" mating hole up through the tray. Install bolts and torque to specification supplied.