Topic: Discovery winch bumper? (Read 14089 times)

Disco Matt · « **on:** May 22, 2009, 21:27:44 »

Firstly, I am not looking to buy a winch just yet! However, I could use a more robust front bumper with recovery and jacking points (rather than grovelling in the mud for my JATE rings). Winch bumpers seem to cost about the same as the few heavy duty non-winch units I've seen, so it makes sense. I'll just put the numberplate over the fairlead slot for now.

Which bumper would people recommend that meets the following criteria:

Needs holes for headlamp washers (which still work on mine, and I want to keep them)

Needs jacking points and recovery points (I like the swivelling shackle type, are they any good?)

Ideally needs to be able to fit a winch without cutting the grille

My budget is up to £250, ideally less! Any ideas?

So far I've found this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Discovery-MK1-Air-Con-Winch-Bumper-Inc-Recovery-Eyes_W0QQitemZ290305205755QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment?hash=item439789e5fb&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1689|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Any thoughts? I don't see washer jet holes but I'm sure I could drill them.

LiftedDisco · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2009, 06:48:22 »

Looks very similar to mine, but difficult to tell from their small photo!

Mine does sit a fair way forwards - a non-winch bumper will sit further back and give a slightly better approach angle... but I have never had any issues with mine.

The swivels are £40 a pair if bought separately - if you are using these, I would suggest using a bridle to spread the load across both chassis rails.

meader · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2009, 09:17:58 »

you could always go for a shadow bumper but in the end they all do the same job

to be honest if you go for eone that you dont have to cut the grill you will find they stick out far to far and look ugly

Disco Matt · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2009, 15:27:13 »

I'm not overly keen on the tubular type for Discos - they're just a bit too modified-looking for my tastes. The square type look much more original in terms of silhouette, if that makes sense. I want something that looks pretty normal but is a little more capable/robust than standard.

The reason I don't want to cut the grille is that I have a Gulf spec one, which would look absolutely terrible if I had to hack the mesh bit about. I don't see approach angle as being a problem - I never catch my existing one, the steering guard tends to hit the deck first.

I also have aircon, so suspect that a shadow type bumper might make things a bit too cramped in there when trying to fit a winch and all the assorted wiring. The ebay bumper I found specifically says that it's suitable for aircon-fitted vehicles, presumably they move the tray slightly further forward.

clbarclay · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2009, 17:07:09 »

If the discover air con condensor is the same as on the RRC (1987) then the only way a winch bumper wouldn't fit with air con is if part of the steel under body was cut away as well. My winch sits completely behing the grill and I only cut out a little bit of the grill so that I could reach the free spool leaver, but as it turns out I don't use the free spool too often anyway as I remove the grill while winching so that the drum can be seen.

I don't have a HD front bumper, having just modefied the standard one to clear the fairlead and match the body lift, but then I've only bent a standard bumper on the RRC once in 3.5 years and five minuets with a some stillsons soon sorted that out.

Disco Matt · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2009, 18:21:07 »

I may well be buying that one from ebay, as it seems to be from Winch Solutions who I've seen good reports of elsewhere. I've just sent them an email to ask whether it still has jacking points (they're shown, but not mentioned in the text. It also says that the bumper has swivel recovery shackles which aren't shown, so I want to check what I'm getting!).

The nuisance with standard Disco bumpers is that when you get rid of the flimsy plastic bits you end up with ugly lumps of metal showing. I'd rather swap it to a heavy duty/winch one which will look neater.

clbarclay · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2009, 19:11:04 »

I had forgotten what disco ones looked like without those end caps plastic :doh:

mattyme · « **Reply #7 on:** May 24, 2009, 20:06:45 »

ill just concur that the service i got from winch solutions has been first class.... i got my winch and a split charge system from there and they couldnt have been more helpful!!

J.D. · « **Reply #8 on:** May 24, 2009, 20:49:06 »

Try www.4x4rus.com in Warick. Excellent build quality and a superb approach angle. I bought one ages ago and I still think it is the best.

Disco Matt · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:41:23 »

Thanks chaps - I've ordered the Winch Solutions one from ebay. It looks as though the aircon type meets my wish not to have to cut the grille. Should be here this week sometime, then I can stop worrying about one of the plastic endcaps detaching itself at 60mph! :lol:

hrh_dave · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2009, 11:01:16 »

Matt

could you post some pics of it when you get it.... as the one on ebay is a bit naff.... just thinking its exactly the same thing that Kirsty is looking for....

Cheers

Dave

Yoshi · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2009, 16:22:13 »

I am picking up one of their winch and bumper packages on Thursday as i have ordered and paid for one!

Will post some pics up as well over the coming weekend of what it looks like fitted lol

Disco Matt · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2009, 16:46:21 »

Quote from: hrh_dave on May 25, 2009, 11:01:16

Matt

could you post some pics of it when you get it.... as the one on ebay is a bit naff.... just thinking its exactly the same thing that Kirsty is looking for....

Cheers

Dave

No problem, will do. The ebay photo seems to show an older design as well as being a bit small, as it shows recovery eyes welded under the bumper rather than the swivel shackle mountings that you actually get.

Assuming it doesn't rain on the day that it arrives I should have it fitted quickly. I draw the line at rummaging under my truck for non-urgent jobs in heavy rain!

Disco Matt · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2009, 10:32:03 »

It's here. Very fast delivery!

A few photos:

I have yet to manage to fit the circlips that stop the swivel eyes from falling into the bumper, need to find the circlip pliers. It comes with blue pin shackles cast with a 3.25t WLL.

Both ends are a mirror image, so here's a closeup of one. The dust is from the shredded paper used as part of the packaging. Note that it does seem to have holes for the headlamp washers - they didn't seem to think that it did when I emailed, but they're definitely there. A welcome surprise as I didn't really want to have to lose those!

This is inside the winch tray, taken so you can see the welds. Dust is from the paper again. It was very well packed!

Oddly enough I'm not exactly rushing out now to fit it due to having a small monsoon in progress. :lol: If things dry out a bit I'll get it bolted on and get some more photos.

boss · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:21:50 »

slacker! put a bloody coat on! :lol:

Yoshi · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:57:13 »

Matt, did you get the £470 package?

I collect mine directly from them tomorrow :D hurrah!

Disco Matt · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2009, 13:02:51 »

Quote from: Yoshi on May 27, 2009, 11:57:13

Matt, did you get the £470 package?

I collect mine directly from them tomorrow :D hurrah!

Nope, I paid £247 including postage for the bumper alone. I don't really want a winch yet as it runs into all sorts of other costs...

Thing is, while I have no intention of doing challenge events I would want to fit a decent solenoid, good quality plasma rope, wireless remote, etc. I wouldn't be buying a top spec winch (those orange "Winchmax" look ok for me) but I would want to buy the best extras. I suspect I probably wouldn't get much change from £200 for just the extras, let alone the winch itself!

I'd also want a second battery and split charging before I got that far, which are currently higher on the list with a view to being able to power the computer and other goodies from it while parked up or camping.

Yoshi · « **Reply #17 on:** May 27, 2009, 16:36:06 »

I got the whole package!

So i will be fitting it on Friday :D

Will let you know what their winch is like :D

Dr Neil · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2009, 21:10:46 »

I'm almost certain you'll find that it is a different bumper to the one in the picture.The reason i know this is that that is a picture of my old truck with one of the Padia
bumpers,and as they have been out of business for a couple of years i'm not surprised it is different to the one pictured.

I hope your as happy with yours as i am with mine...

Disco Matt · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2009, 23:15:05 »

Interesting! So they might react well to Yoshi or I offering them a decent photo of the real product for publicity use. I may well email them one when I've got it fitted.

Yoshi · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2009, 18:12:19 »

Well i picked mine up today and couldnt be happier!

Its damned good quality, and the winch looks really good as well!!!

Disco Matt · « **Reply #21 on:** May 28, 2009, 18:47:45 »

I'm awaiting delivery of some new bolts before I try to fit it, as when I removed one of the originals to check the size I found that the end was bent :shock: I'm reasonably sure I never put that much stress on the JATE ring on that side even on the one occasion when I had to be kineticed out of a hole! :lol:

I already knew that the upper bolts were monkey metal rather than high tensile, so was planning to replace them anyway. Now all four will be replaced. The new bolts are high tensile, with a higher rating than the old ones. Interesting the bumper has holes for six bolts, so I'll see if the matching holes are there for the other two with a view to sourcing and fitting some if I get a winch.

Yoshi · « **Reply #22 on:** May 28, 2009, 19:05:29 »

The other 2 holes are for further back where the steering guard mounts to!

Or at least i think it does!

Disco Matt · « **Reply #23 on:** May 28, 2009, 21:45:54 »

Quote from: Yoshi on May 28, 2009, 19:05:29

The other 2 holes are for further back where the steering guard mounts to!

Or at least i think it does!

My steering guard mounts to the bottom of the two bumper mount holes at the front, so it's not that. I think it must be to enable you to use six bolts to attach it.

Right, I've now decided that fitting my numberplate over the fairlead hole will look daft. So instead I've just ordered a shiny aluminium fairlead (as I'll be using plasma rope when I do get a winch) and will be attaching the plate above that with sticky pads. One question - does the winch just bolt to the baseplate, or does it bolt to the front too? In other words is the fairlead just bolted to the frontplate or do the bolts go through into the winch casing? I just want to make sure that I don't have to take anything off when the winch eventually goes on.

Yoshi · « **Reply #24 on:** May 28, 2009, 22:07:02 »

Looks like it bolts with 4 bolts just up through the bottom of the bumper. I will know alot more tomorrow when i fit it all :D

Yoshi · « **Reply #25 on:** May 29, 2009, 12:39:01 »

Well tis not as easy as it looks to fit!!!

Its being a right PITA!!!!

Me old bumper came off fine, but can i get the new one on, no! Its catching somewhere, i think its cos i have the XS model which has the wheel arch extentions, or not!

But i will find a way, even if i have to start chopping the wing!

Disco Matt · « **Reply #26 on:** May 29, 2009, 14:20:58 »

I would have a look at the little metal strips that attach the front of the wings to the sides of the original bumper - it may be catching there? Wouldn't have thought that the mouldings will make any difference as they don't go beyond the lower edge of the wing. Do post your findings, as it'll save me getting the sledgehammer out!

Just been checking that the bolts will turn on mine, it will be fitted at the weekend sometime when I finish gathering the various fiddly bits like sticky pads for the numberplate and some M10 repair washers (nice big washers to spread the load).

I have managed to figure out why my steering guard is no longer straight, and why my original bumper doesn't sit level anyway. Neither is due to a bent chassis or body, the former has one bent sideplate and the latter would be fine if I undid the bolts and pushed it up at one side. Both easily fixed, thankfully!

Yoshi · « **Reply #27 on:** May 29, 2009, 14:33:56 »

Its on!

Its a cut out the grill type bumper!

had to remove both indicators and the lower panels to make it fit :D

but it is on now :D

Pics to follow :D (after me doctors appt, am covered in it, and it works too cos i had to put the wire back on :D lol, my advice, put the hook on before, and also have come circlip pliers handy to remove one of the rotating tubes on the rollers

Yoshi · « **Reply #28 on:** May 29, 2009, 16:36:09 »

Some pics of it being fitted!

Frontal view - As you can see, the indicators and the bits of trim need to come out to fit this in easily (or at least it did for me!)

Close up of indicator area.

This is the bit that the grill sits into at the bottom, these were bent out the way in order to fit the bumper in.

Quick view of the other side!

The plastic bit thats covering the winch tray had to come out, otherwise winch wouldnt fit in!

The semi finished product! Just have to refit the grill after i have cut it to fit :D

Yoshi · « **Reply #29 on:** May 29, 2009, 16:39:21 »

Forgot to add "fit the rollers thingumy" to the things left to do! lol

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AuthorTopic: Discovery winch bumper? (Read 14089 times)

mattyme