Fitting a low profile warn winch behind the front bumper on a 2004 Prado 120

[dodger29]

Hi
any suggestions as to where I could get this done in Jhb, I know Mr Winch in Durban can do it but thats a bit of a trek down there for a couple of days, any recommendations for an installer in the Jhb area?

[Stranger]

Pop into Sunseekers and ask there. They quoted me on my Pajero for a winch plate and install behind the bumper.

It worked out just as inexpensive for me to put on a steel bumper with a built in winch plate.

[BruceHun]

Hi
any suggestions as to where I could get this done in Jhb, I know Mr Winch in Durban can do it but thats a bit of a trek down there for a couple of days, any recommendations for an installer in the Jhb area?

Speak to Gavin Pike at Pedders in Paulshof.

[stephenplumb]

I got the winch plate fitted in Dbn by mr winch, but did the install myself. The winch plate is pretty straight forward if you are handy with a ginger and welder.

Make sure you try and get as little in front of the rad as possible. I did a lot of vehicle testing with Toyota, and after seed nets, winches are the next most popular item to cause overheating.

I have seen a lot of installs where the guys shove the control box on top of the winch blocking the rad even further and then slop all the cables in front as well.

On my amarok I have the winch low down, but even that kills a lot of airflow to the rad. I managed to stick my control box behind the drivers side fog light. Not ideal if you plan on regular river crossing, but perfect for me as I try to avoid water like the plague and just need the winch to pull my boat on the trailer on the beach.

Don't believe anyone that tells you that it does not affect the cooling system. It does, so at least minimise the impact by running cables neatly and disrupting airflow to the rad as little as possible.

Also give serious consideration to the remote winch controller. I bought all the stuff from Comeup. They have an agent up here in pretoria and can supply you with cables, cable wrapping/protection and all the other bits needed for the install.

Make damm sure you do not shove anything else in front of the rad like spotlights, as you will disrupt things enough with the winch. Basically say not to spot lights!

[dodger29]

had it fitted by Caravan & Boating in Nigel, where I get all my boating stuff done, they have made a great job of this, very happy

[dodger29]

There is a slight problem, the winch handle to engage and reverse the winch for me is difficult to get to it's behind the bumper and I have to be a bit of a contortionist to get to it, short of cutting a hole in the bumper and suggestions on improving access?

[dodger29]

access to the winch control is difficult so looking at biting the bullet and fitting a new front bumper with a winch mount, any suggestions on a supplier?

[stephenplumb]

There is a slight problem, the winch handle to engage and reverse the winch for me is difficult to get to it's behind the bumper and I have to be a bit of a contortionist to get to it, short of cutting a hole in the bumper and suggestions on improving access?

Get one of those reciprocating tools and just slice the bumper so you can get your paws in there. This is what I did for my amarok. Still looks very neat.