Grill mod for winch.

[rascole]

Who has cut their grill to fit a winch controller? Show some pics. I need to replace my Smittybilt X20 Gen 2 winch that failed. I would rather not have to remotely mount the control box behind the grill like I had before. But to keep it on top of the winch, the grill needs to be trimmed. I have an old grill I used as a template before I cut up the good grill. I think with the flat black grill and black winch, the cut will not be as noticeable. I welcome your opinions.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Looks like you have a good handle on things. I don't really have any suggestions as it looks like you're on the right track. Just a matter of doing it how you want it to look. You could move the winch out a bit further if you didn't want to cut the grille.

Years ago I fabricated a front grille guard from scratch for a solid-axle Toyota truck. I tried to make it look 'Humvee-like', with a center section and surrounds around the headlights. I made the main center-section stout enough I could hang a conventional Western snow plow on it, but not overly heavy built ...to conserve weight on a light Toyota. I used it for plowing snow for several years. Never came close to tweaking the mount.

I fabb'd the plow hydraulics' mount section of the grille-guard such that the plow lift ram could be removed from the grille guard, and a winch plate (and winch) put in place (during the summer). I'll have to look and see if I can find a picture of it on an old hard drive.

It would be a lot easier to do something similar on a Hummer the way the front of the frame terminates at the front.

I like where you're going with yours.

 

[cgalpha08]

Randy, can you mount it off to the side of the winch? my smittybuilt can be mounted on top or on the left side. Idk if that winch has a provision for that, but it allowed me to not have to cut the grille up.

 

[rascole]

Randy, can you mount it off to the side of the winch? my smittybuilt can be mounted on top or on the left side. Idk if that winch has a provision for that, but it allowed me to not have to cut the grille up.

This one does not, but, I haven't bought a winch yet. Just borrowing a friend's to test fit.

 

[cgalpha08]

This one does not, but, I haven't bought a winch yet. Just borrowing a friend's to test fit.

I am actually considering remote mounting mine up in the engine bay anyway. I noticed the solenoid box blocks a decent amount of air to the radiator. Im not overheating, but I figure trying to get the most possible air flow cant be a bad thing.

 

[rascole]

I am actually considering remote mounting mine up in the engine bay anyway. I noticed the solenoid box blocks a decent amount of air to the radiator. Im not overheating, but I figure trying to get the most possible air flow cant be a bad thing.

I am looking for that option too. Spent a good part of the day testing other locations, but real estate is getting scarce and will get worse after the LS swap. Need to mount a disconnect switch also, I'm certain the winch was draining the batteries. Might recover some room and go back to a single battery.

 

[Korby7]

Best picture I have of mine. 45° up about 1/4". Just enough to clear the controller.

 

[rascole]

Doesn't look like you cut much off.

 

[Grey poupon]

I am looking for that option too. Spent a good part of the day testing other locations, but real estate is getting scarce and will get worse after the LS swap. Need to mount a disconnect switch also, I'm certain the winch was draining the batteries. Might recover some room and go back to a single battery.

This might not work for you but mine is off behind the grill. Mind you my winch location is lower. In this pic the winch is off but you can still see the controller on the drivers side behind the grill.