Mounting winch - touch prerunner?

[BaseBD]

Hello all. This is my first vehicle mounting a winch and I have a couple questions. I bought a Fab Four Stubby bumper with winch mount. For the winch holes they are slotted the length direction of the vehicle about 1/2". In order to get the winch mounting holes to line up, I need to press the winch all the way forward such that one side is touching the bull bar and one side is a fraction of an inch away. So here are my questions:

1. Should the winch press on the bull bar? The winch is lined up in the back of the slots.

2. I could open up the slots a little bit to create some clearance but then all that is preventing the winch from sliding forward in the slot is the 4 mounting bolts. Torque to 35ft lbs, I would be surprised if they stopped the winch from sliding up to the bull bar anyway. But I could be wrong I am new to this.

3. Do I need to be looking at another option for keeping the winch from potentially sliding forward?

I attached a couple pics of the winch sitting in the bumper and the. A close up of the winch to bull bar gap with two mounting bolts in hand tight.

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[djn3400]

Here is a video that talks about this issue on the Fab Four bumper. They seem to think it’s not a big deal.

 

[BaseBD]

They pretty much glossed over it as a non issue in that video. Thanks for the link!

 

[moab6g]

Stubby bumper fit perfectly with Harbor freight APEX badland winch....
The only thing I need if to buy longer screws the one provided by HF was too short

 

[Pilsner]

I'd adjust it. It will rub through and rust eventually, but they salt here all winter.

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