Bull Bar modifications

Hi all,

I was wondering if it is possible to modify a bullbar as in the picture to be able to safley and effectivley fit a winch to it.

Being a steel bar I figure that with the correct reinforcing it should be able to be done.

Would love some feedback if anyone has attempted this and if it is financially feasible.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj65/baldman1/Bullbar.jpg

cheers
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: apriti00 - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:16

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:16
Guess it will depend on the bar, being steel should give you options. I had a ARB non winch bar on an 80 and just welded a section to reinforce the mounting area, cut out a section for the fairlead and mounted the winch to the bar feet forward. As it was a solid bar I guessed that it should be ok and served me for 10 years, the current owner is still using the winch with no apparent problems. Make sure that you use the correct bolts to secure the bar. Now please don't take this as an endorsement just stating what I did. The safest way to go would be purchase a winch cradle which is independent of the bar, you will find one while searching around the forums.

Cheers
AnswerID: 283603

Follow Up By: baldman - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:20

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:20
thanks,

All advice taken purely as that.

I was thinking of doing exactly what you have done. In regards to the correct bolts, What would be correct bolts?

0
FollowupID: 548211

Follow Up By: apriti00 - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:26

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:26
As the bar could be carrying a large load while winching I would consider bolts that are upto the job ie high tensile to avoid possible problems related to shear where the bar is attached to the vehicle chassis.
0
FollowupID: 548214

Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:27

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:27
Gday,
Yes, its certainly possible and wouldnt cost much to do yourself.
All depends on your skills? I think if your asking this question you are probably not up to doing it yourself so it may cost a bit to get a boilermaker to do it.

Cheers
AnswerID: 283605

Follow Up By: baldman - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:31

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:31
Hairy, you are 100% right and that is why I am asking the question.

I don't have the skills to do it myself, but I do have a mate that is a welder.

Just need a few ideas on how it could be done.

cheers,

0
FollowupID: 548216

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:58

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 20:58
I would probably plate the inside of your chassis and box it up to suit your winch and then mount your bullbar over the top rather than strengthening your bull bar.
0
FollowupID: 548223

Follow Up By: baldman - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 22:02

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 22:02
thanks Hairy

0
FollowupID: 548246

Reply By: Member - Tour Boy (springsure- Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 09:37

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 09:37
Hi mate,
Yes it is not hard and is cheaper than buying a winch bar. Did the one in my rig pic with a piece of armco railing leg. Cut the centre out of the bar and welded in the 5mm thick piece then braced the rest of the bar and mounts. Was strong enough to break a 10t extension strap in sept and the winch cable itself last week.

But it does now take two of us some effort to lift it when the winch is fitted.
Mine was a normal ARB non winch bar.

I hit a large roo at 95kph and it didn't even flex.

Regards
Dave
Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 283683

Follow Up By: Member - Tour Boy (springsure- Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 09:41

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 09:41
Sorry I forgot I changed the rig pic. Give me an email add and I will take a couple of pic for you.
Dave
Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 548296

Follow Up By: baldman - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 15:40

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 15:40
Dave woulf appreciate it if you could send some pictures to rfgatto@telstra.com
0
FollowupID: 548370

Follow Up By: Member - Tour Boy (springsure- Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 20:42

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 20:42
Hi mate,
I tried twice, spent 1/2 hr each time uploading pics and the email address bounced..over quota.
Cheers,
Dave
2010 Isuzu FTS800 Expedition camper
2015 Fortuner
Had 72 cruisers in my time

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 548453

Follow Up By: baldman - Saturday, Jan 26, 2008 at 17:43

Saturday, Jan 26, 2008 at 17:43
Can you believe it, went to the inbox and found this message from telstra.

A message was sent to you that was returned to the sender(bounced)
because it would have caused your account quota to be exceeded.

The following is the reason that the message was over quota:

Quota Type: bytes in the mailbox
Quota Available: 4073794
Total Quota: 4096000

I will reply to your email with an alternative email address if you wish to try again. looks like we didn't miss by much

cheers and thanks
0
FollowupID: 548570

Sponsored Links