My portable "winch in a box" (better than nothing) creation

[vzqhsg]

Not wanting a full blown winch setup (yet) and not liking one available solution (https://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1140232-Portable-Synthetic-D-Shackles/dp/B0166H2V0C) I decided to make my own!

Did a test pull today on a 15 degree hill and it didn't even sound loaded. Obviously that's a pretty easy test not having the additional forces of mud/rocks/whatever you are stuck in/on. Also bought an RRP (https://www.amazon.com/Factor55-Retention-Pulley-Snatch-Block/dp/B0848Q8B76) to help if needed.

Obviously this isn't a perfect solution - It takes time to set up but it does meet my "better than nothing" requirement. The jumper cables are long enough to pull from the rear as well. It's almost entirely a Harbor Freight kit. Using the HF bluetooth remote to operate.

Parts list:

Winch: https://www.harborfreight.com/5500-lb-utv-long-drum-winch-with-synthetic-rope-57535.html

Remote: https://www.harborfreight.com/wireless-winch-remote-56504.html

Jumper cables: https://www.harborfreight.com/20-ft-4-gauge-heavy-duty-jumper-cables-57602.html

Case: https://www.harborfreight.com/4800-weatherproof-protective-case-x-large-yellow-56865.html

Button head bolts for winch to plate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8SJB6XK

Copper lugs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNMPY4F3 (the winch comes with various wires that you can also cut/use some of their ends)

Bolt caps: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093YWV6R2

Bolts for fairlead: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0863NJ4N9

Steel plate: https://www.ebay.com/itm/195552415560 (you could make this yourself - had a friend weld on the extra tabs you see and had it powdercoated locally)

Shackles for plate: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWMG41R


The battery lugs on the side can be whatever you want or have lying around (or use some from the button head kit above).

Nice looking rig, but if I remember the forumla the winch needs to be 1.5 times pull as the weight of the vehicle. So you would nee a

Not wanting a full blown winch setup (yet) and not liking one available solution (https://www.amazon.com/Superwinch-1140232-Portable-Synthetic-D-Shackles/dp/B0166H2V0C) I decided to make my own!

Did a test pull today on a 15 degree hill and it didn't even sound loaded. Obviously that's a pretty easy test not having the additional forces of mud/rocks/whatever you are stuck in/on. Also bought an RRP (https://www.amazon.com/Factor55-Retention-Pulley-Snatch-Block/dp/B0848Q8B76) to help if needed.

This isn't a perfect solution - It takes time to set up but it does meet my "better than nothing" requirement. The jumper cables are long enough to pull from the rear as well. It's almost entirely a Harbor Freight kit. Using the HF bluetooth remote to operate.

Parts list:

Winch: https://www.harborfreight.com/5500-lb-utv-long-drum-winch-with-synthetic-rope-57535.html

Remote: https://www.harborfreight.com/wireless-winch-remote-56504.html

Jumper cables: https://www.harborfreight.com/20-ft-4-gauge-heavy-duty-jumper-cables-57602.html

Case: https://www.harborfreight.com/4800-weatherproof-protective-case-x-large-yellow-56865.html

Button head bolts for winch to plate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8SJB6XK

Copper lugs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNMPY4F3 (the winch comes with various wires that you can also cut/use some of their ends)

Bolt caps: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093YWV6R2

Bolts for fairlead: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0863NJ4N9

Steel plate: https://www.ebay.com/itm/195552415560 (you could make this yourself - had a friend weld on the extra tabs you see and had it powdercoated locally)

Shackles for plate: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWMG41R


The battery lugs on the side can be whatever you want or have lying around (or use some from the button head kit above).

This is nice looking but it does not have the power to get you out of a jam. For a Bronco you should have a 10K-15K winch. Please don't try using this when it is under a heavy load. When your rig breaks it will become a bullet.

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[Bruno]

How about mount the winch to your frame rails with some sort of compact quick release?
You might need to span your frame rails with an "L" Angle - behind the bumper.
Maybe the best of both worlds....

then people would calm down, becasue your winch would not be floating.

 

[Bruno]

REMOVABLE WINCH

 

[Razorbak86]

Only issue with this is that your likely points of failure result in 50+lb projectile towards either vehicle. It's only making something dangerous, more dangerous. Unmounted force applicators is pretty much eng 101, if you require it, you need to rethink it.

Not to say that it will fail, only that if it does, the situation is getting worse.

A very fun/clever entry into the "F Around Phase", but that thing is itching to drag you into the "Find out Phase"

Obligatory!

 

[hozer]

When you are knee deep in mud.... simply ask yourself: "Am I having fun? Did I do this on purpose?"

I mean, you jump out of a plane to skydive. It's fun, you purposefully did so... but I wouldn't Velcro my chute to me for portability or convenience

 

[vzqhsg]

Watch this...then get rid of your box winch!!

Remember the FRAM commercial...pay me now....pay me later.

 

[Andy6GRealG]

My concern with these is the reduction in approach angle. My front skid already has many significant hits. I think this chin bulge would just cause significantly issues. I have also gotten stuck the most against steep ledges that would make this unusable. The alternative is a high mount and I am not too keen on that either.

i get where you are coming from, but mine only sees mud and sand so not much rock crawling in Florida. Been to the Appalachian’s and didn’t have that much of an issue but didn’t go hard at all. I figure a 3 to 4 inch lift with 37’s will eventually solve that as well.

 

[GreyZ]

Watch this...then get rid of your box winch!!

Remember the FRAM commercial...pay me now....pay me later.

These aren’t even comparable? Have you actually watched that video and break down?
The winch box will act significantly more like a winch line damper and much less like a sheared hitchball.

 

[xpathf1nderx]

reading all the comments...just wanted to say.
Yeah. You did something a bit unconventional and looks to work well for most situations except the most extreme. Good job!
People have been mounting winches to homemade mounts for ever. The crap we used to do in the 80s and 90s, I think back on and think "what the hell was I thinking?" But, it all worked out. I have even pulled on a hi-lift in an extreme situation, and I dont even pick that death trap up to move it in the shop anymore! LOL
I like and would like a lightweight version for the trailer.

 

[vzqhsg]

These aren’t even comparable? Have you actually watched that video and break down?
The winch box will act significantly more like a winch line damper and much less like a sheared hitchball.

There is a metal plate under the box. This is a problem. The winch is only 5000#. He pretty much bought a winch for a side by side, trying to pull a full size Bronco. I understand he is in FL and believes this will handle his issues. It only takes one time, like in the video. He would be better off with a hand winch/come-a-long then this setup. I carry a 8000# come-a-long. It works great for what he is talking about. It's made to handle the load. I also carry !7,000# rope to use with it. Not knocking him or his build. Concerned about his family, friends and safety.

 

[Tex]

There is a metal plate under the box. This is a problem. The winch is only 5000#. He pretty much bought a winch for a side by side, trying to pull a full size Bronco. I understand he is in FL and believes this will handle his issues. It only takes one time, like in the video. He would be better off with a hand winch/come-a-long then this setup. I carry a 8000# come-a-long. It works great for what he is talking about. It's made to handle the load. I also carry !7,000# rope to use with it. Not knocking him or his build. Concerned about his family, friends and safety.

Saying that a hand winch or come along is safer than this leads me to believe you haven't thought that statement through.

 

[GreyZ]

Im willing to bet, that 98% of all bronco winch usage ever could safely be done with a 5000lb winch.

OP seems to realize this, and this seems like a well planned setup. This setup is not elastic between the Bronco and the box. With no stored energy in that section of line, the winch acts as a line damper, not a projectile.

I can nearly assure you that the guys out there running a synthetic line winch with a steel hook and the line exposed to the sun have a more dangerous situation than this guy.

Suggesting that a hand winch is safer shows a complete lack of understanding of the situation and risks/failure points.

It even seems that OP is aware of the benefits and limitations of his setup.

 

[Thiskers]

I can nearly assure you that th
Suggesting that a hand winch is safer shows a complete lack of understanding of the situation and risks/failure points.

A good come along like the Wyeth more power puller with a synthetic line isn't really a death trap. The synthetic line doesn't hold energy. As long as your aren't doing something horribly stupid or standing 3 feet in front of the vehicle while a buddy is slamming the gas, shouldn't be much of an issue.

 

[Chrome_Pony]

Im willing to bet, that 98% of all bronco winch usage ever could safely be done with a 5000lb winch.

OP seems to realize this, and this seems like a well planned setup. This setup is not elastic between the Bronco and the box. With no stored energy in that section of line, the winch acts as a line damper, not a projectile.

I can nearly assure you that the guys out there running a synthetic line winch with a steel hook and the line exposed to the sun have a more dangerous situation than this guy.

Suggesting that a hand winch is safer shows a complete lack of understanding of the situation and risks/failure points.

It even seems that OP is aware of the benefits and limitations of his setup.

I'll agree with this once OP cuts the floor out of the box and mounts direct to the plate. I'd upsize the wiring too, personally, but that's me.

I once built a multimount setup using Superwinch Terra 4500 with Masterpull 9000lb line, and a pulley for my 96 Highrider Sonoma. I knew the extraction and stuck vehicle weights, and it was primarily for snow and ice extractions here in Alaska, which have a significantly lower coefficient of friction than dirt or mud extractions.

If you stay within your design limits, and your extractions are all low drag, like wet grass, light sandy loams and similar, it could be totally fine.

 

[projectbadlands]

so like this one?

Superwinch 1140222 Winch2Go 12V Wire Rope Winch

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