Winch Installation on a 2004 Patrol

try a hammer!

What is the best way to knock out that panel in the middle of the bull bar, or will we need to?]

you will only need to if you want to use the winch cable.

We bought a 2nd hand ARB bullbar to fit the winch into (got a Warn) - had all the right slots for the connections etc. I think it is made to accommodate the Warn, and that the Chinese winches are slightly different size but can still fit. Didn't consider the aluminium bar on the Nissan suitable. Got a good quality ARB bullbar from the Quokka, a WA trading newspaper. My "4wd-nut" son bought a new ARB bar when he bought his Patrol, is now looking at getting a 2nd hand Warn like we got. Don't think i have anything against the eBay ones, we may have been bidding against you!

You mean on the genuine steel bull bar made by ARB?

I knocked it out with a rubber mullet, but you could also try a sharp chisel on the 4 points where it attaches to the bar.

The kit is only for the Warn control box

Chris,
I recently fitted a T-Max 9500lb winch that I bought on eBay to my Nissan GU steel bullbar and I didn't have to punch out the removable plate on the bar. I fitted the solonoid box to the winch, so that it's all hidden under the bar. Then I drilled the bar to mount the remote plug on top. I think it's a bit neater that way, but it may depend on which make of winch you bought.
Chaz

Chris,
Main reason for needing to knock out the panel is so you can observe the cable spooling up as you use the winch. You need to make sure it is not all bunched up on one particular side. You may be able to just punch it out with a rubber mallet or maybe you'll need to use an angle grinder to get through the tack welds that hold it in place.