Installed DOI Winch Bumper

[Cal]

After 8 hours, i finally finished installing the DOI winch bumper. I think it looks excellent, and retains the factory approach angle. The only thing i dont like about it is that now the skid plate sticks out a little bit, which could get caught on a rock. And the last picture is of the tires i picked up the other day, and will be installed this week. I was able to fit all 5 in the H3.

[Hal]

I'm trying to decide on a winch for my H3....
Overall it looks impressive, I may go with that setup exactly.

A few questions...
Is that the solenoid box visible thru the main grill? if so is that the recommended location?
Looks like you went with a Warn w/synthetic line, which model?

What exactly sticks out that you don't like, what part of skid plate, (more pictures)?

Are there any issues with reduced access to things like the oil filter with a winch stuffed in there?

Any thoughts on the winch being low on the rig and being submerged in a water or mud hole?

[Gottmud]

I am just about to do the same install. Mine will have the T-Max, and synthetic line. Any pointers of what to do, or what not to do, would be great. If 10 is the hardest, how would you rate the install. Is it really a full 8 hours to install ???


H3, adventure, lux, and of course my faithful dachtsund, Eevee. Who ALWAYS goes four wheeling.

[DRTYFN]

And how do you access the winch or observe the line?

[Cal]

Hal, yes they recommend you mount it there. I went with the warn 9000 with 3/8" synthetic line, got it through Trail Duty. The front of the skid plate hangs down about 1/4 inch, i will take a picture of it tomorrow to show you. I dont think you would loose access to anything becausr it is the same size as the stock Metal bumper, maybe slightly bigger. Im not worried about it being submerged, i had a warn on my old H1 and had it sumberged several times and i never had a problem with it.

Gottmud, it isnt really that hard of an install just time consuming. The parts that took the longest for me was realingning the winch motor so the handle would fit through the bumer, and Taking apart the front end. You can probably do it in 4-5 hours if you have 2 people, but i did it by myself, and i did some things wrong a couple times so i had to go back and redo them.

DRTYFN, you can't see the line at all, the only way you can partly see it is if you look through the fairlead.

[The Green Lantern]

Sweet!

[usetosellhummer]

very nice

[FutureBeachBum]

ShadowGreen with envy

[DRTYFN]

Originally Posted by Cal

DRTYFN, you can't see the line at all, the only way you can partly see it is if you look through the fairlead.

Oh boy, what a party that's going to be.

[KenP]

The looks are great and I hope you get to use it.

Now go hit the rocks!!!!

Originally Posted by DRTYFN

Oh boy, what a party that's going to be.

X2 That's not good at all.

[lotus4s]

Originally Posted by DRTYFN

Oh boy, what a party that's going to be.

It's not that bad, I respooled mine the other day and it wasn't an issue at all. If you stand a few feet in front of the truck you can see the line spooling on without any problem. You do have to drop the skid plate to access the winch but that's 4 bolts and 2 minutes. Now if you have to remove the winch that will be a royal pain.

I assume that you have the same issues with any concealed bumper winch, but for me the aesthetics more than make up for the disadvantages.

Oh and Cal, congrats on the new toy, you'll love it. I haven't had any problem yet as far as the skid plate lip that you mentioned even though I was initially concerned. I think DOI is coming out with a skid plate eventually which should fit better. Nice rig!

[Desert Dan]

Looks great!

Do you have to cut out the center of the front bumper or is it a whol new piece?

Did you do it at home?

If cutting was it by torch, saw or plasma??

[Cal]

Originally Posted by Desert Dan

Looks great!

Do you have to cut out the center of the front bumper or is it a whol new piece?

Did you do it at home?

If cutting was it by torch, saw or plasma??

No cutting is required it is a bolt on piece, and i did it at home by myself.

[bjc]

Respooling hasn't been an issue for me either using synthetic. Mine has been underwater once and no issues - the solenoid is mounted higher up on the radiator.

I can also say that you do get a cleaner fit with the DOI skid plate than with the OEM, but I don't think it's really that big of a deal. I went with a custom skid from DOI simply because I thought the OEM wasn't as strong and left a lot of area uncovered.

[H3slate]

Originally Posted by bjc

Respooling hasn't been an issue for me either using synthetic. Mine has been underwater once and no issues - the solenoid is mounted higher up on the radiator.

I can also say that you do get a cleaner fit with the DOI skid plate than with the OEM, but I don't think it's really that big of a deal. I went with a custom skid from DOI simply because I thought the OEM wasn't as strong and left a lot of area uncovered.

Any pics or links to where we can get the custom skid plate?

[Field Scout]

I have the same doi mount but w/rollers and the rollers do affect approach angle slightly, on recent trip to long ranch going down a steep hill rollers w/license plate plowed a little dirt up front (you can go to long ranch pics and see the slightly bent front plate on the white h3), just an fyi if someone gets rollers up front. also not sure about the skid trbl you are having, mine went between doi piece and frame just sort of squeezed in place nothing to hang up, concerned about the excess weight from doi skid, already have alot of extra weight on truck now, turned t-bars 5 urns to get what most get from 2 1/2 turns

[H3 Hummer]

Wouldn't it sux if you got stuck had a winch but couldn't utilize it?

I am still holding out for something better.

[lotus4s]

Originally Posted by H3 Hummer

Wouldn't it sux if you got stuck had a winch but couldn't utilize it?

I am still holding out for something better.

Why would you not be able to utilize it?

[Cal]

Originally Posted by lotus4s

Why would you not be able to utilize it?

Yea, I was thinking the same thing.

[Arizona Hummerboy]

You did a very nice job, it looks GREAT!!!!