Electric Winches on an L series?

Sideways Subaru · Post by **Sideways Subaru** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:24 am

Heya all,

was brousing the trading post this morning when i came across this pic of a subaru with an electric winch on the front.

anyone seen/installed a winch on an l series? are they really practical on a suby for off road duties? just tossing some ideas around.

Big Al

BlackMale · Post by **BlackMale** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 11:31 am

In the past i have seen a picture of Mudrat’s rig (from this board) with 1 on the front.

To answer your other question we have been thinking about the idea as we do a bit of 4WDing by ourselves and on a few occasions could have used this to get ourselves out of trouble. Just do you homework and evaluate for yourself as the winch option definitely has its advantages and disadvantages.

I will be interested in other input though.

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:33 am

I can see no reason why a small winch would not be out of the Question on an L series as they had optional winches for the MY series

Wilbur · Post by **Wilbur** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:36 am

I really hope that one is braced back to the chassis or the bullbar will be pulled off when you use it. I think that one may have been used to getting a boat onto a trailer........

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:01 am

right,theres something disconcerting with where that one is shown fitting....
thats a roo bar, and the way they fit up, can't see how you can practically use a winch from that point - strength wise.

And yeah it does look like one of those cheap boat winches.......
but maybe for a lightweight sube its quite alright?

should work all right off a replacement bar tho.

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:24 pm

What about making a winch set up that is made to attach to your tow bar on the rear. Detachable so you only fit it when needed. Should be strong enough there and still more than usefull in some situations.

Dave

twc · Post by **twc** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 5:45 pm

Someone already has .
You can buy stock brackets to fit various makes of winches to attach to .
Most people ive seen with this set up have a towball installed /fitted front and back of their vehicle so the winch can operate from either end and allows the winch to operate at an angle to the vehicle more safely(apparently)

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:21 pm

seen them boat winches cheap at Aldi - but i think i recall them rated at 750kg (or was it 1750kg?), probably not enough eh?
Aldi have got some 4wd stuff atm, a snatch strap kit $75....

MUDRAT · Post by **MUDRAT** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:37 pm

Your winch capacity should be around 1.5x tare weight.

Mounting the winch to a 50mm reciever and using it in the tow-bar is an excellent idea.

To mount a winch to an L series bullbar you really need to brace and strengthen the mounts, even tie bullbar back to the engine crossmember.