Setup for reverse winching

[srimes]

Been pondering for a while on how to winch backwards and I finally got around to trying something.

Rear bumper fairlead is a recovery ring, trimmed to get a flat side, u-bolt to attach to the bumper.

I made the front fairlead from a piece of softwood firewood, shaped to fit against the stinger gusset. A single lag screw through the gusset keeps it from sliding around. This is just a prototype, and I assume it will wear fairly quickly.

Couple rub spots I'm watching: back of front fender well,

And this box profile at the front of the rear wheel well.

A few light hammer taps to make sure the edge is rounded over and you don't want the rope getting cut on sharp edges.

Initial results are promising. I have to be careful to make sure the rope follows the intended path. When slack it can foul in a couple spots: at the front roller fairlead it can drop below the side roller, and it can get below the front body mount horn when leaning passenger. Once snug it holds true.

 

[TJ Jim]

Wow. I’ve always wondered if there was a way to do this. Just never experimented with it to see how to make it happen. Awesome!!!

 

[Rubiconned]

It's actually easier to put a tow strap through a hole/slot in the rim of one of your rear wheels with the other end anchored to the base of a tree and you reverse drive your way out. No winch needed.

 

[srimes]

Wow. I’ve always wondered if there was a way to do this. Just never experimented with it to see how to make it happen. Awesome!!!

The "default" method with steel cable is straight down and back under the axles. One problem with that is you need to run the line before hitting a deep hole as you probably won't be able after you're stuck.

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

why are you using a arborists lead ring for a winch cable? ive often wondered why and how these ended up in the offroad world.

 

[Zorba]

The "default" method with steel cable is straight down and back under the axles. One problem with that is you need to run the line before hitting a deep hole as you probably won't be able after you're stuck.

I always thought that maybe some kind of pulley system could be (temporarily) attached to the front bumper to steer the line down and back. Haven't figured out how that would work/look though.

 

[srimes]

why are you using a arborists lead ring for a winch cable? ive often wondered why and how these ended up in the offroad world.

And here I thought we were borrowing practices from the sailing world

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

And here I thought we were borrowing practices from the sailing world

OOOH shit! i had no idea they were used in sailing.

 

[macleanflood]

OOOH shit! i had no idea they were used in sailing.

Kinetic ropes are just repurposed mooring lines.

-Mac

 

[StG58]

And here I thought we were borrowing practices from the sailing world

Winch line is halyard and stay line. ....and tow line.

 

[srimes]

Winch line is halyard and stay line. ....and tow line.

Lot cheaper going back around. I used atv synthetic winch line to replace the cable lifelines on my boat, and for jack lines.

 

[John’o]

Your fender well pic looks like a Monitor Lizard. Just saying..,.

 

[srimes]

Test vid #2. Came out way to easy I'll have to get stuck harder next time.

 

[Zorba]

Test vid #2. Came out way to easy I'll have to get stuck harder next time.

Same setup as last time?

 

[srimes]

Same setup as last time?

Yup. Still running the prototype block. Hasn't gotten any use between the vids as I haven't gotten stuck. Now that that snow is showing up I should be able to give it a workout.

 

[DuckNut]

Yup. Still running the prototype block. Hasn't gotten any use between the vids as I haven't gotten stuck. Now that that snow is showing up I should be able to give it a workout.

I would think you could use one of these

Bolt it to the fender through the eye. When needed, flip it out front of the bumper, drop a hitch pin through the center hole. Using the right size looks like it would clear your bumper and be a lot less resistance.

You have a great idea going.

 

[Rickyd]

Going forward= winch. Going in reverse= never wheel alone. Cool setup but looks hard on the line

 

[srimes]

I would think you could use one of these
View attachment 576932

Bolt it to the fender through the eye. When needed, flip it out front of the bumper, drop a hitch pin through the center hole. Using the right size looks like it would clear your bumper and be a lot less resistance.

You have a great idea going.

Yeah that would be better if I could get it set up right. It would take some fab work and my welding abilities are quite limited. I wanted a simple proof of concept and shaping a block of wood wasn't too hard. I'm sure there's more friction than a good bearing block would have, but so far the waxed wood seems to be slick enough.

 

[srimes]

Going forward= winch. Going in reverse= never wheel alone. Cool setup but looks hard on the line

I am watching for that. 1 sharp edge under load can do a lot of damage very quickly.

 

[DuckNut]

Yeah that would be better if I could get it set up right. It would take some fab work and my welding abilities are quite limited. I wanted a simple proof of concept and shaping a block of wood wasn't too hard. I'm sure there's more friction than a good bearing block would have, but so far the waxed wood seems to be slick enough.

I really don't think you need to do any welding.

If you got a 8 inch (example only) and drill a hole towards the outer edge of the bumper. Put a bolt through the eye and bolt it down but not so much it won't move. With the pulley on the inside and closer to the center, drop a hitch pin through the center of the pulley. This would be the stopper. With a 4 inch (1/2 the pulley) it would clear your bar on top of the bumper. The hitch pin would prevent the pulley from hitting the bar.

As I am typing this, it came to me that simply mounting the pulley to the bumper might even be easier.