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Fairlead Below Bumper ?

Discussion in 'Winches' started by Bowbender, Feb 2, 2019.

  1. Feb 2, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    I'm considering re-working my mounts to have the fairlead just below the bumper. My thinking is to improve air flow to the radiator and appearance. I've also read that lower is better for pulling. I plan on keeping the Tux bumper and don't want to hack it up. The bottom of the fairlead would be a couple inches lower than the tow bar mount that is in place now, approximately the same height as the bottom of the spring shackles. I'm open to thoughts and opinions....

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    I don't have any straight on front pics.
    Edit: I added to the description to clarify where the bottom of the fairlead would be. This was after ITLKSEZ's comment.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2019
  2. Feb 2, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I think it's a good idea, but...
    Any way you could re-work the tow bar mount to have the fairlead come through it? You'd be getting pretty low and susceptible to damage being below that mount. I'm not sure I'd go any lower than the bumper itself.
    :watch:
     
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  3. Feb 2, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    I would remove the tow bar mount. The fairlead would be tucked up right under the bumper. I may even "cheat" the bumper up an inch or so. If I decide to keep the tow bar, I would incorporate new mounts.
     
    RATTYFLATTY likes this.
  4. Feb 2, 2019
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    It will definitely look better.
     
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  5. Feb 2, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    I agree, I'm not real fond of it being plopped on top of the frame.

    One concern may be clearance, but I don't plan on any hardcore playing in the rocks.
     
  6. Feb 2, 2019
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
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    You might consider doing what I did when planning your task. Try to keep a portion of your existing mount that is under the winch to protect the bottom of the winch. Think skid plate.
     
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  7. Feb 2, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    That is what I had in mind; cut the ends off the existing mount and drop it between the frame rails.

    Do you happen to have any pics, Ed?
     
  8. Feb 2, 2019
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    Take it off, put under the front and jack it up until the mounting plate contacts the bottom frame rails?
     
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  9. Feb 3, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

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    I'm afraid that would be too easy. :p The base needs to be lower than the frame rails to come out below the bumper. Also need to have clearance from the springs and shackles. I think I have it built in my head, just need to make a bunch of sparks now.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  10. Feb 3, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    Well, 170 views and nobody has told me I'm making a big mistake, I will proceed as time allows. Still open to feedback...
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  11. Feb 6, 2019
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    Ah there's an example. Looks like it connects to the bumper and maybe the frame too. I'm sure you'll figure something out.
    [​IMG]
     
    Bowbender, ITLKSEZ and Walt Couch like this.
  12. Feb 7, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    and hydraulic too
     
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  13. Feb 7, 2019
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
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    Coil spring suspension :confused: what model is that Jeep ?
     
  14. Feb 7, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

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    It's of the "not stock" variety. :D
    Looks like Bronco radius arms.
     
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  15. Feb 7, 2019
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    That’s the short answer. I had a paragraph of guess work typed up.
     
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  16. Feb 7, 2019
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
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    Looks to be a somewhat clean execution of the conversion.
     
  17. Feb 7, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

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    That looks like it might be a "stealth" flatfender; lots of custom stuff under that stock/ patina exterior.

    My PADD (project attention deficit disorder) kicked in and I started building the mount for mine. If all goes well, I might get it together this weekend. Pics to come....
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  18. Feb 7, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

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    Stealth flattie with a lot of capability for not having rollover protection. :worry:
     
  19. Feb 7, 2019
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

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    Maybe he's waiting for you to get yours done so he can copy it. :shrug:
     
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  20. Feb 8, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    :shock: I almost just fell out of my chair....... Now I feel dumb.

    For the last couple weeks I have been trying to come up with a clean way to coil spring the front of my jeep. These things are just so narrow that there isn't much room between the frame and tires unless wider axles are used. I could easily cut a section out of the frame and weld in a 6"-7" Id piece of DOM for a spring bucket. Spring would go up into the frame which would allow the jeep to be lower to the ground. Add a couple radius rods, a track bar and drive.... I guess if I'm not satisfied with my yj springs, I know what I'll do. :banghead:
     
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