winch plate size

[Rysam]

Im getting ready to start my front bumper and I want to account for a winch. however, I dont have a winch yet and dont really know how big the mount plate needs to be. what is a good average size for the plate? are all winches similar in their mounting?
I plan on doing a minimal bumper like XJ4IV, low key and unobtrusive is the name of the game.

[Mudderoy]

I was asked which winch I was planning on using on my winch bumper. That might be the best place to start. Determine which winch you are most likely to use then go to that site and get the dimensions. True they should all be the same size but at least this way you'll be sure what you are building will fit the winch you will be getting.

Alternatively you could pick a couple of winches you like then use the largest sizes of the two, three, etc...

Of course just buying the winch first and building around it would work.

[Rysam]

no for a winch. I'l figure it out as i go I guess. 8" sounds like a good place to start.

[4.3LXJ]

Rysam

They all have a standard footprint. Warn Ramsey and some others set that standard way back and everyone has just followed suit. I am wondering what dimention you refer to. Length of the winch or the depth? Don't forget you don't want to have it tight up against the grill or you can damage it from cable getting wound too large on the drum.

[Rysam]

I know most any winch will fit side to side, but depth is what in basically looking for. I dont mind chopping the grill at all , actually I plan on it. I really dont want to be too shallow or deep? if that makes sense. I looked at a few winches and it seems that 7-8" deep would work fine, so thats what I'll draw up.

[4.3LXJ]

Rysam

I set my front and rear bumpers up with 8" of plate for the depth for the winch. Here is the front.


It is not a good idea to have the winch up tight with the grill. If yo get a rats nest in the cable, it can damage the grill and or the AC condenser or the tranny cooler. Also you don't want it tight against the fair lead plate either. Here is the pic of the rear bumper which is still in progress. It has 8" too and looks tight, but has a little room for snarled cable.

[Rysam]

Thats what I was after, Thanks!