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!
They do have the jig now made to start manufacturing these - they just need to get all the instructions completed, get it processed and priced, and on their website - they thought a couple weeks or so.
I should also mention - in chatting with the engineer on Saturday, he has "100 other ideas for this" - so the first version isn't the last....
We talked about extending the bumper cover to make it longer, embedding lights, additional light tabs across the front, etc.... So - lots of future options.
Thanks for the update and being the Ginnie pig it worked out GREAT for you :thumbsup: the look is clean unlike the ARB full bumper style
one question for you did they make it an upright mount or is the winch upside down ? BC i have looked at the under side and not sure how they cramed it in their ( any pic would be great )
Again thanks for sharing :thumbsup::thumbsup:
I will take some more detailed pics when this snow melts off. The winch is sitting upright in the bumper. It is VERY tight in there - 10,000 lb winch is about as big as possible. Will try and snap some pics through the grill, without removing the bumper....
Not that they have discussed with me - but I will see them on Wednesday or Thursday and will pass along. Did you have something specific in mind? I know they are open to ideas - as long as they have a market that will buy them....
Wow, this came out very nice! That's a real clean look. I am definitely interested in one of these. Do you have the wireless remote working now, or is that an idea for the future. Thanks for the updates on this , really looks like a great product.
Wireless isn't working now (crappy eBay wireless remote). Didn't have enough time to rewire with trying to get ready for Moab. It is something I do want to do when I have a few minutes.
Per Rocky Road: "The winch mount is mounted to the chassis in the same manner as the factory beam... So nothing has been changed as far as how the airbags would be "Deployed"."
Thanks for all the updates. The entire set up looks great, and I'm definitely getting one as soon as they're available to the public. Do you by any chance know if the winch mount will interfere with the cruise control sensor?
For the Adaptive Cruise Control - they haven't been able to test it - they need the sensor to see if they can figure out how to mount it - their existing design doesn't have accommodation for it - but it could still be designed in....
As I understand - it was an expensive piece to order in to just test it to see if they can make it fit - so when someone is ready, they will work it out (maybe just unclip the sensor and send it to them to test....)
Looks great! I'd like to see one in polished stainless or maybe chromed - that'd be suh-weet! How do you access the clutch handle of the winch? Do you have to pop your hood? Might not be very accessible in some 4x4 situations.
I will ask RRO about doing it in chrome (or unpainted?). They typically powdercoat all of their gear.
The clutch handle.... I was going to cut out the bottom of a couple of the grill slats to reach through to the handle. Either that, or you would just use the remote to back the line out (rather than respool) You CANNOT access it from under the hood - the radiator and top or the grill are in the way.
WARN makes a wireless system that they sell. BullyDog and others sell them, but they seem to be generic ones. I am going to try another one with the Smittybilt in mine. Just remember - the winch HAS TO have a removable solenoid to fit on the bumper.
Back from Moab - jeep safari was a blast - did a few trails in the WK2 - not too bad. Next time, need mud terrains and to air down, but had some fun wheeling around.
I have attached a couple trail pics for those who have asked about pics of the whole rig.
They are Goodyear Silent Armor 265x60x18. Great on-road and snow tire - good compromise. If I did it over, I would go 275x60/65x18s - they will fit - but just barely, and the speedo will be just slightly more off.
The GYSA did fine in Moab this weekend, but I think I want MTs for my next romp offroad - had a couple hairy moments going over some big rock drops.
One thing to remember - they don't mass manufacture - each one is built to order, so once available, it will take a few days after to build your components. This has the GREAT advantage of being able to customize it your way (within parameters of course....)