Bumper integrated winch mount - product dev questions

Cool, cause I don't have a grinder.... But I do have a couple drills and an impact wrench

 

Thanks DoorDing. You always show up with great posts and help.

 

Any updates today?

 

The shop closed at noon yesterday, so time was limited. I'll see if I there any pics to post.

 

Machine shop is buried, Friday was a short day, they were fabbing up a new winch tub and fascia but will be Monday morning before we have something to fit. Pretty much had to come up with a new design, which was expected.

Also taking a hard look Monday at producing a version with no shackles or bash protection that will work behind the bumper cover.. just cut a hole for the cable.

 

I know you said its already done, but I do like BensonX and the others' that have it behind the bumper running through the lower valance grille.

Either way, thanks for all your work and effort on it Brad, I can definitely say from working with him he has been more than accommodating and easy to work with, I would recommend him whatever the final product he comes up with is.

 

Hey just found this in a search. I'm in a hurry and need one for my 2013 for work ASAP. I don't like the other hidden winch mount with no skidplate.

Is it available? If so, any chance i could get my paws on it in the next 30 days?
Thanks
Spencer

 

dude..... its not even out of the dev phase yet lol

 

haha I gathered that after actually reading through everything...
that's what happens when you read & post while driving lol

I'm impatient either way GIMMIE.

 

I like the idea of a hidden version. There are already plenty of plate bumpers and skids on the market...

I want to add a winch while keeping weight low.

 

really like this idea

 

Drive out to Texas and let him use your truck to design the late model version. Then I can get one, too.

 

Ok. We have what we need to create a valid prototype. Thanksgiving will put a kink in our schedule but maybe next week we will have an installable prototype.

Here's a few pics and some more info. The pics make it look flatter and more square than it really is. There are quite a few complex angles and bends in this to be done right.

We had just removed a few of the clamps before I thought to take a pic so the fascia is sitting about an inch lower than it should. Keep in mind we used very thin 10 ga steel to do the mockup so there is a bit of flex. We have all of the angles and mount points established, quantity and location of gussets (4), light bracket positioning and so on.



Again, when I shot these pics it was barely mounted so it's not an accurate view of how this will mount but you get the idea. The two large holes ... well the driver side was there to clear his tow loop, we cut the passenger side for... well, we just did. However, after doing so I think I may leave them in the design, this way you can cut off your tow loop or leave it even though you can't really hook much to it.



As far as the hidden version goes. I'm not going to say it's impossible but it's going to be a tough one primarily because of space issues.. not enough from from the back of the mount tub/frame mount points to the front to get behind the cover and still accommodate a winch. I have an idea but it will likely make it a complex production process which can jack up the price. So, patience, let us get the full version out then we will take a closer look at the hidden version.

Aluminum. They will work up a quote on 6061 aluminum.. heat treated, before production. We feel it will require heat treating because of the quantity and spacing of bends in conjunction with the required thickness.

Overall this is more difficult than I imagined because of multiple complexities regarding space, alignment and strength. I will NOT build it if it's weak just to accommodate the design. Quite frankly there are a few design changes that I will incorporate in to our FJ design.

I hope to have the prototype installed on John's truck next week late or early the week after the start production from there.

As soon as I have pricing I'll share it with everyone and start a group buy accordingly.

Again, I want to publicly thank John (jjew18) for the use of his truck. He was gracious enough to let us keep it until today. Not a simple task with kids, work and this is his driver. He will earn a mount out of this but I might suggest a pat on the back as without his truck this wouldn't be possible.

 

Looks fantastic so far! Can't wait for the 12+ version and seeing how it looks!

 

Yeah, the 12+ version is gonna be pretty kick ass, can't wait to do that one. The second we put these in to production we'll get another truck in to start the 12 design.

So, obviously the exploded view below shows the cover of the lower fascia comes out with the grille above it then all you have to do is cut the piece behind that so it should be a real clean installation.

 

I like it for sure

 

Glad to help out, thanks Brad.

 

x2 on Matt's post!

 

Wow, looks awesome! Nice work, fellas.