So I found a killer deal on a Ramsey 12,000 lb. winch from a guy I know, the only problem is I do not have a winch bumper yet, nor can I afford one right now. So my question is can I mount a winch to the front of the X without a winch bumper? I am open to ideas...

:lutscher-big:

I've seen someone weld a mount onto the X's frame...can't remember who it was tho.

thats probably the only way you are going to be able to aside from the bumper though, pal up to the welders in your town :)

Probably a bad idea, but I was kinda wondering if I could mount it to my brush guard? I'm not really sure if the brush guard would be strong enough, but I thought I would ask.

eh, brush guards would be a little flimsy for that, i dont know much but i would assume it would be just around as bad as mounting the winch to the frame haha.

unless you like running over your brush guard after you hit a big enough bump to wrench it loose ;)

No don't mount it to your brush guard.

That's kinda what I thought... dang it I really want a freakin' winch!

buy it and let it collect dust until you can afford the bumper.

That's what i'm thinking too. Or I might buy it and turn around and sell it for a profit.

Would something like this work?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2011886&productId=2011886&catalogId=10101
or am I completely on the wrong track?

Would something like this work?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2011886&productId=2011886&catalogId=10101
or am I completely on the wrong track?

If you had a front receiver hitch there......it would work w/ no problems.

the only way you are going to get a front reciever hitch to be able to use that is if you buy a bumper with that option

Remember, never mount a winch above your frame height. The forces a winch puts out when pulling in any direction can be enough to tear things up. Hang onto it and wait for a winch bumper to come into play...or fab something up that keeps the winch in line with the height of the frame.

Brushguard mounting would be so dangerous and such a hazard that I don't even want to think of it.

Does anyone make front receiver hitches for first gen X's?

I've seen someone weld a mount onto the X's frame...can't remember who it was tho.

That would be me. I have a winch bumper, but I don't like the pull they create on the frame, nor the squat on the front end when winching is necessary.

Welded the plate onto the front frame horns. When I have winched, it pulls straight with no suspension squat.

i cant believe i am endorsing these guys, but there is a company called KMA here in georgia that makes a bumper called a wincher. they are much cheaper than shrock stuff, they might be able to just make an adapter to hook up a hitch receiver to your frame somehow.
kenmtnac.com

all i can say if you choose to go that route is good luck. and dont say anything they might possibly not like. they arent hesitant to refuse service at the slightest of comments.

Id go ahead and buy it and set it aside somewhere, and wait until you find a good deal on a front bumper then put it on. IMO, I wouldnt take the chance of needing to use it and screwing something up on my X. And X2 with the brushguard. Too flimsy. If you do end up putting it on, I would say it needs to be on the frame or something REALLY solid and strong. If your going to use it that is. Strickly looks right now until you find a bumper, probably would be okay. If thats the case, Find another front grill piece for backup, and cut a hole through the original and mount it in your grill. I think thatd be cool


http://kenmtnac.com/sitebuilder/images/zigzagx012-460x404.jpg The set up that Daniel is talking about dosnt look too bad. I like it. Pricing is not bad either:

Wincher for Xterra 2000 - 2004 and
Frontier 1998 - 2004

Pricing:

Base model wincher, winch mount or receiver style $480
slant style (to right) $560

Options:

Grill Guard $85
Light Guard $85
Light Bar $45
D rings or shackle mounts $40 pair
Recessed 55 watt 5" light package $115 pair
Recessed 4" light package $250
Receiver tube (in addition to winch box) $60
Turn Signal/marker light set $45
LED turn signals $115
Rubber dock bumper set - $40

what if it was welded to the front cross member upside down so it sat below the frame? is that cross member beefy enough?

possibly, but i doubt it...its only held on by 2 bolts...seems like 5000 lbs of force on 2 bolts is a bad idea...
and the metal, when taken off, really doesnt seem that strong.
and look thru the kma site...there are lots of bumpers for different trucks, if you find one you like, you MIGHT be able to get em to make a similar one for your X.
worth a try. just DO NOT PISS THEM OFF IN ANY WAY!!!!
babies.

I have seen alot of Jeep gus pull the cable under there jeeps to winch themselves backwards.(did not see any negative effects)

So with that said would he be able to buy the product from JC whitney nd pull the cable under his "X" and winch forward?

Also i talked to KMA about a rear bumper, and bought one W/ 2 jerry cans and highlift holder.

They were very nice and knowledgeable on there product and had no problems answering any question i asked about "issues" they had in the past.
Just my 2 cents on that

I have heard alot of horror stories about KMA products, but then again I have heard some people who swear by them. I might have to go check them out and see what they can do for me.

i woulkd like to hear a response about the winch mounted in the rear and pulled under the truck... that sounds like a strange but good idea....

i woulkd like to hear a response about the winch mounted in the rear and pulled under the truck... that sounds like a strange but good idea....


Strange, but think about the line angle on that one. If you're mounting winch to the rear of the truck, and pulling cable under the truck, out the front, then winching something in front of you, you're technically putting a force on the line that's pulling it straight down, and that line angle is very dangerous and puts a lot of stress on both the winch motor and the mount itself...not to mention the line.

Of course, that's just how I look at it when you put angles and forces into the equation.

thats what i was thinking unless you mount the winch facing the front but even then the angles and the the awkward strain it would have cause its not pulling straight... ok now after you got my brain turning on the angles and the strain i think this could turn out to be a really bad idea...




on a side note we could submit it to mythbusters to really get the 411 on the idea.. LOL

lol...I agree that the Mythbusters thing is a good idea. That would be one to watch.

I think that instead of trying to find crafty and innovative ways to mount a winch, it's just safer to mount it up front and use it the way the manufacturer recommends. If that means someone has to save up for a proper mounting bumper, or cradle solution for the front...then so be it right? It's just too dangerous a piece of equipment to "hope you get it right" with the mounting is all.

i agree

X2

I had seen it done, and i cant rember if they had something special...


definetly safer to save up for a bumper

Buy a winch and save up for bumper.

Or buy the bumper if you want more armor up front and a better approach angle...then wheel from there and see if you get into situations where a winch is necessary for you and your type of wheeling and trails.

Sorry to bring this thread back up, but I really am curious if anyone knows of a front receiver hitch for a 1st gen? I have found some for 2nd gens but I can't find one for a 1st gen.

Hmmmhave you looked at KMA?? i Know people arnt thrilled of KMA but i like the company alot, i ordered a "custom" rear bumper and it is gunna be in my house in just about 3 weeks! but i belive they offer one for Gen1...i will post a link, and shoot Kyle an email for you.

And i will send you his reply but i asked, and btw got a new email and my bumper will be here in about 10 days!!!!

Here is there link to the site check it out glazener24:

Yes, we do have a receiver style for the 200 to 2004 Xterra. There's one pictured on the page for the Xterra: http://www.kenmtnac.com/WiNissan.html

Yeah I have seen bumpers with hitch receivers in them but I want just the receiver.

Like this:

http://www.tonnocover.com/curt_class_3_front_2_receiver_hitches/R14386P1C1T.html?gad=CK1Eqb0CEgiAIunlUZTpsxitqKv_A yCxirIS&utm_campaign=Integrations&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=Website&utm_keyword=Curt%20Class%203%20FRONT%202%22%20Rece iver%20Hitches&id=VA4528230345812005

i wouldn't see a problem making a bracket that bolts up front where the cross member is. it would be on the frame its self and even if you just make it bolt up, isnt that where the shrock bumper bolts too? just make sure the welder in your area can do good welds.

ah defiently make sure its good welds, if you dont mind doing some fab work your self, since you probably will have to cut the bumper a little, or alot, depending.

please, do not give any of your money to that thief at KMA

unless, of course, you have extra money that you dont mind losing...in that case, toss some my way would ya?

What was your encounter with KMA? All of my encounters w/ the company have not been bad, now i will say i have not recieved my bumper yet,but will soon and have my full opinion, and i know a couple people who have his wincher, and it was a quality product.

Why not just get the receiver mount winch and put it on the back. Alot of the guys Ive seen with dedicated mud trucks mount them on the back. Granted its not goin to help keep you off your lid but it will get unstuck until you an afford a bumper of your choice. A guy from MIOBI just mounted his 20,000 lbs pto winch in the bed of his f150.

as many of you know, i agree w/ brian. but if you feel like taking a very large risk, be my guest. maybe they've changed...but thats what people told me before my encounter with them.

as many of you know, i agree w/ brian. but if you feel like taking a very large risk, be my guest. maybe they've changed...but thats what people told me before my encounter with them.

So what was your encounter, i am realitively new to the site, and am not fimilar with oyur encounter..id appreciate any information you have in case i run into a similar problem, BUT like i said, I have NOT had a problem with them to date, next week when i get the bumper i will have my full opinion on them.

and, NO I DONT have EXTRA money :(

The major problems reported with KMA were delayed delivery, or no delivery...ill fitting products, bad welds, bad powercoating, etc...some people on Xterra boards and other boards for FJs, Frontiers, etc...have actually spent more money fixing the product that was delivered because of bad welds and bad fit than they spent to get the bumper in the first place.

I have no personal experience with them, but have heard MANY horror stories and the consensus has been and will continue to be to stay away from them.

i have heared that, about bad welds.

delayed delivery-is not unheard of, there are more than just one company that has delayed delivery...

on the welds, i have told them if they arnt quality expect a return of the product, they were okay.

So i will be totaly happy to post pictures of welds and everything once i get it, hopefully this week.

I don't think you understand ;) Delayed delivery as in a year plus. I'm not talking about 6 to 8 weeks like Shrock or ARB.

okay, maybe i dont if it is a year plus!!!! that Is Truely ridiculous!

Aye, that it is. If you've already got yours on the way though and that's confirmed then you're not in that boat. I really do hope it works out for you though as they are good looking bumpers. Keep us posted! Maybe we can start hearing good things about KMA from this point on. It's good to have choices for our Xterras other than just the big names like Shrock, ARB, and TJM...it's just sad that sometimes those choices end up screwing people over for looking to save some coin.

yah defienitly, thats i think the major downside to xterras is that there is about little to no aftermarket supliers. especially reliable ones.

heres my story:
http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6813

i hope your dealings with them will be much better than mine or other peoples. i wish you the best of luck. but as for me, i will not be dealing w/ them again, eventhough i do live about 30 mins away from them. i wont give them my business if they are going to be complete babies to me.