Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/94279
The only modifi cation for the winch install was using a hole saw to radius clearance for the winch control cable to plug-in. MOUNTING SOLUTIONS Mounting the winches took two completely diff erent directions. The front installation is very straight-forward as the Fab Fours' bumper is already drilled to accept the Mile Marker SEC15 base/forward-facing footprint. Our only modifi cation was expanding a little on the access cutout on the bumper's top plate so the Mile Marker winch control cable had enough clear- ance to lock into the control box. After the lights and winch were installed in the bumper, we used a forklift to slide the assembly onto the new mount- ing brackets that replaced the OE ones. Tightening a few bolts, installing the ARB IPF Dual Beam driving lights and tap- ping everything into the truck's headlight and battery system fi nished the job. CUSTOM REAR INSTALL The rear winch install was more complicated because there isn't a specifi c mounting kit for such an application. Daniel Parker, one of the TSO installers, is a wiz at such custom installations and fabrication. He used a Mile Marker universal channel mount ($110) to save time on the fabrication process. 24 PROPICKUP December 2012 Line-X integrated Fab Fours' logo onto the wings when spraying the bumpers, a nice touch to personalize a truck. Bumpers are well-designed, with heavy-duty brackets, smooth welds and sturdy mounts for the auxiliary lights. A forklift is the preferred tool for positioning the winch/bumper combo as it weighs about 325 pounds. ARB USA's IPF Dual Beam auxiliary lights are actually high-intensity headlights imported from Down Under. They have high and low beams and put out a tremendous amount of light. Truck Supply & Outfi tters' Daniel Parker readies Mile marker SEC9.5 for installation behind the Fab Fours Black Steel rear bumper on Big Red. A Floor jack is used to lift the SEC9.5 into position under the rear of Big Red so measurements can be taken to make the custom mounting brackets. A Mile Marker universal winch mounting tray and custom extension plates (arrows) anchor the SEC9.5 winch under Big Red. Mounts bolt to spare tire crossmember and frame rails. A Lincoln plasma cutter and DeWalt grinder come in handy when fabricating 1/4-inch steel into mounting plates for the rear winch installation. A Black Steel bumper is modifi ed so winch cable can exit out the rear. A hole saw is used to make corner cuts easier.