Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

Winch Mount and bumper

92K views 270 replies 57 participants last post by  Letterman52 
#1 ·
I have been working with Rocky Road performance on the possibility of mounting a winch on my WK2. They have had my car for a few days, and are designing some options that they are looking for my (and your!!) opinions on.

Originally I was thinking something real basic (just the fairlead sticking through the bumper), but after chatting with them, they want to build something more along the lines of this:


They have designed a mount, and are ready to build a prototype, but have some questions before they go all in. The thought is that they can do either type – just the winch mount, or the winch mount with the front cover (pushbar, d-rings, etc). The design would be relatively “advanced” to install – take the bumper off, cut the bumper, cut the frame cross-member, drill some holes, bolt the winch mount to the frame, etc….. The winch mount would replace the cross member (and likely be stronger than the factory one).

So – I told them I would gather some info on the interest in doing this.

1. Are you looking for a winch mount for your WK2?
2. Are you willing to cut your front bumper to install behind it?
3. Are you willing to cut the frame cross-member?
4. Do you want the winch mount on it’s own? Or with the bumper?

So – all in all lots of questions – the more info and the more discussion the better for them to decide if they want to produce and bring this to market!
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
#131 ·
shambles sent this to me, but I thought the questions and response everyone could benefit from:

"I have a couple of Q’s for you

Being in Australia I have never dealt with Rocky Road - are RR professional enough to offer support for the fitment here via my mechanics?

With the space, possibly for a crumple zone, now filled with a very solid object. In the event of a minor front collision are you concerned that this could now do serious and irreparable damage to the engine and was much consideration given to this during development?

Have you checked out if the bolt on part effects the structural warranty of the vehicle?

The product looks 100% and I bet you are happy with it. Any WK2 with a winch now is no longera worthy contender in the comfort touring market it is the market.

I have my lift, if all goes to plan I will have my winch, then new roof rails for my tent and civilisation won’t see me for months.


Rocky Road has been great for me - Lots of people complain about them, but in my mind it is because they don't understand them. They are a very small operation (about 10 or so people). Each part is HAND manufactured, not mass produced. When you order, your piece gets custom built for you (this also means they can customize within reason). They have great tech support (but due to time zones, for you may be best over email). The installation is definitely bolt on, and frankly quite simple once you remove the bumper.

When you take off the plastic valance bumper cover, you quickly realize it is just plastic and a small piece of styrofoam - no real "crumple zone" there. But if hit solidly, you would have the winch run into the radiator pretty quickly - not much different from most off road vehicles with a winch.

As for Warranty - I haven't checked in on it. When the cross member is removed it isn't horribly substantial. There are two of them, and you just take the front one off. The replacement piece is MUCH sturdier. In the states, there are laws on car modifications, essentially requiring the manufacturer to prove that the modification caused the specific issue. In my case, I think the more substantial cross member could be proven to have the same or better performance. Hopefully I never have to try.

So far so good - I am really happy with it, and see lots of people looking and commenting on it...
 
#143 ·
I do like the winch mount setup. It looks like they did a good job.

however, there is no way in hell I would EVER use a Smittybuilt winch. Why they used such a cheap a$$ winch, I have no idea...outised of size/ position of the drum. there has to be a way to fit a Warn in there somehow.
 
#144 ·
I ordered the winch mount more then a month ago on 7/6!
It was shipped 2 days ago. Now I look at the site and see they have a different option for a winch mount for air suspension that wasn't on the site when I ordered. Which means it will not fit my jeep.
Does anyone here knows someone in rockey road that is high enough the food chain to rectify their blunder?
 
#145 ·
I know them well - I would call their support line, and I am sure they will take care of it. Let me know if you have issues, I can reach out to the owner or their head engineer. I know they just built a bunch of them last week, so this may be something they just found as they put them out to market.
 
#149 ·
This was on Rocky Roads page "The winch mount kit does come in 2 configurations, a kit for coil spring equipped Jeeps, and a kit for the AIR suspension (Quadra-lift) equipped Jeeps which require an additional compressor mounting bracket."

So, based on all the stuff hidden behind the bumper, there must be the air compressor for the air suspension that a bracket is needed to hold it with the new cross-member.
 
#152 ·
I just spoke to Glenn (lead designer and owner) all kits that were shipped before the option to choose were shipped with the bracket. As soon as I get back home in around a week and a half I will be able to confirm the fitment with ACC. Good luck with the install Raimundo. I'm considering running a power cable dock to the front of the jeep so that I can just unplug the winch and then plug in jumpercables/ etc. are you direct wiring to the winch or do you have a similar plan?
 
#154 ·
Raimundo, Sorry for the delay I have been having computer problems. I don't know how you ran your wires for the power for your winch, but I plan on running something like this;
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200183174_200183174
and then having a plug that my winch leads are connected to that stays in the socket unless I need jumper cables in which case i just unplug the winch and just plug in the jumper cables. I could also use this same socket for a large power inverter for camping. the options for use are just about endless. Did you end up mounting winch controls in cab? if so I would love to see pictures of what winch control you used. I'm thinking that I will use something like this;
http://www.offroadcontrols.com/2orcwcsp.htm (639WC). I'm trying to figure out the best mounting position for it.
 
#156 ·
Let us know how it goes. Problems, fit, etc. I'm also interested in how and where the controls are mounted. Also, once installed, if you're be able to reach the winch clutch (free spool out).

Finally , what winch is that (model). I'd like to know what brands and models of winch will fit.
 
#157 ·
Let us know how it goes. Problems, fit, etc. I'm also interested in how and where the controls are mounted. Also, once installed, if you're be able to reach the winch clutch (free spool out).

Finally , what winch is that (model). I'd like to know what brands and models of winch will fit.

The only way to reach the winch clutch is by cuting a hole thru the grill.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top