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View Full Version : Cutting stock front xmember for winch?



ATL ZJ
02-03-2005, 04:51 PM
I'm building a bumper, and I only want it to stick out 5 inches in front of the grille. I'll be using 5"x2" 3/16" wall tube for the front portion of it. I plan to cut out the inside wall of that (and properly reinforce it as well) in order to squeeze the winch in there. However, the space between the grille/ stock front xmember and the backside of that tube that I will be cutting to fit the winch in is only 3 inches. The winch itself is about 6.5 wide, so I will need an extra 1.5" of room based on this current plan.

Now to my question:
Has anyone cut the stock front xmember in order to squeeze a winch right back towards the radiator? How much does that strengthen the unibody? I am thinking the bumper will stiffen the front up enough to where it wouldn't be needed anymore. Here's a pic with where I am talking about cutting in red:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/atlzj/cutting1.jpg

MaineZJ
02-03-2005, 04:54 PM
it's been done. I know the Rock Control buggy did that, and a few others. Just cut the whole crossmember out (it's just tinfoil anyway) and build something better to hold your winch.

http://mallcrawlin.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=371

http://rockcontrol.com/ZJBuggy/7-21-04/350/350_131-3125_IMG.jpg
http://rockcontrol.com/ZJBuggy/7-21-04/350/350_131-3129_IMG.jpg
http://rockcontrol.com/ZJBuggy/8-21-04/350/350_IMG_3192.jpg

ATL ZJ
02-03-2005, 04:57 PM
it's been done. I know the Rock Control buggy did that, and a few others. Just cut the whole crossmember out (it's just tinfoil anyway) and build something better to hold your winch.

Awesome, then I'll plan on chopping it up.

Timzjatl
02-03-2005, 05:08 PM
Cam-
I did that as well, If you use channel for the front of your bumper, it won't have to stick as far forward to get the winch behind it.

BigDaveZJ
02-03-2005, 05:27 PM
Check out the thead "Chalupa gets a bumper" or something like that from last summer, we did something very similar to Chalupa.

MaineZJ
02-03-2005, 06:27 PM
Check out the thead "Chalupa gets a bumper" or something like that from last summer, we did something very similar to Chalupa.


http://mallcrawlin.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=371

ATL ZJ
02-03-2005, 07:39 PM
Guess I forgot that the Chalupa bumper page and the RockControl buggy both had pics of this.. :oops:

Tim, I thought about using channel. I've changed this design about 10 times since I started planning it out... so I might again. Provided that 3/16" thick 5" channel is relatively easy to find. I know that's a pretty stupid question... If it is available, I think I'd rather do that just in the interest of weight and not having to cut up tube and waste the extra $ and time.