H2 Front Winch Bumper and 15000lbs Winch Install

[whitehumh2]

So now that my Rear Winch is installed and looking good I have begun my Front Winch Bumper Creation!



Here are the first of the bumper as it is stock with the receiver mount.

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Here is the front frame with the bumper removed and the receiver exposed.

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Here is a test fit of the winch mount that I had started to make about 2 years ago for a smaller 12000lbs winch.

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One thing I already noticed is that I will need to completely change my initial idea. While I did want it tucked up as high as possible, the new 15000lbs winch requires me to drop the winch down lower on the frame both for clearance and strength of mounting. A standard 12000lbs winch is only 6 inches wide, this mighty 15000lbs winch is 8 inches wide and requires not a mere 4 bolts to hold it down but 8! So I will need to carefully plot out the new mounting holes to allow me to have the right pattern and strength.



The winch I will be using is the Smittybilt 15000lbs X2O, I want to be sure if I am stuck in the mud and I need to pull myself or several trucks out at a time it will be a breeze. Is it overkill...not really my H2 weighs just shy of 9000lbs!



More pics to come soon as the project progresses!



Stay Tuned!

[Khamul]

Looking good!



Take lots of pics so I can copy soon... Plan on following those plans you sent me last year as looked good as I just have the 12k winch which should fit in like a glove...



Look forward to seeing any new idea's...

[Sub]

looking solid! keep the updates comin <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... /smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> I like what I see

[whitehumh2]

So I have been slowly working on the bumper here and there throughout the week and I did a real big push today and should be finished in time for our First Trail Ride of the Year on April 20th.



I had to make some changes since the Smittybilt 15000lbs winch is a tad bigger than I had anticipated!



I also decided to make some areodynamic upgrades which should help with fuel economy and should help in deeper mud and water crossings.



I also had an old H1 stock non winch bumper lying around and since everyone says my H2 is more H1 than H2...I figure why not find a way to integrate H1 onto my H2.



Here you see the stock H1 non winch bumper...before the cutting begins!

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Here is stage one after cutting the ears off the bumper...I will save those for later!

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Now since this piece is going to be placed over my other winch plate I needed to modify the placement of the holes.

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This is what I decided to do with the ears I cut off earlier

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Now that the bumper is off, it is time to start adding braces and unneeded hardware.

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Here are the first pics of the new winch plate and the frame gusset I added and the newly shaved tow hooks.

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Now I have to finalize the winch mounting and braces and cut the factory bumper to fit over it!



Stay Tuned!

[duncanpa]

Holy crap Kevin. It will be 3/4 of an H1 when you are done. In fact H1's will shy away when you come around!!!!! Can I bring you my H2 and leave it for a month or two for you to "transform" for me?<img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... #>/huh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='???' />

[whitehumh2]

Hey Patrick,



It would be my pleasure to do all these upgrades on your H2...BUT...do you realize how many man hours I have put into each one of my upgrades??? Nothing I have done so far is standard off the shelf parts...I make everything! I don't even want to think what it would cost to clone my H2!



Enjoy the projects and my upgrades...there are a lot more on the way!



Later,



Kev

[Khamul]

Looking sweet!!



So y remove the front recovery points?

[duncanpa]

Kevin......I'm just waiting to win the lottery and then I will hire you full time to be the Canadian Hummer Club mechanic and you could modify my H2 all day long!!!! Til then, I will just dream

[whitehumh2]

[quote name='Khamul' timestamp='1366082761' post='43119']

Looking sweet!!



So y remove the front recovery points?

[/quote]



You will understand my reasoning once I post the next set of pictures! I am almost done...just a little bit more welding and then some paint!



My new recovery points are stronger and more functional...you will soon see!



Stay Tuned!

[whitehumh2]

[quote name='duncanpa' timestamp='1366113593' post='43122']

Kevin......I'm just waiting to win the lottery and then I will hire you full time to be the Canadian Hummer Club mechanic and you could modify my H2 all day long!!!! Til then, I will just dream

[/quote]



So then next week??