View Full Version : Installed DOI Winch Bumper
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.
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
10-01-2006, 10:25 PM
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
10-01-2006, 11:12 PM
And how do you access the winch or observe the line?
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
10-02-2006, 01:43 AM
Sweet! :clapping:
usetosellhummer
10-02-2006, 01:52 AM
very nice
FutureBeachBum
10-02-2006, 01:57 AM
ShadowGreen with envy :D
DRTYFN
10-02-2006, 03:49 AM
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.
The looks are great and I hope you get to use it.:D
Now go hit the rocks!!!!:D
Oh boy, what a party that's going to be.X2 That's not good at all.
lotus4s
10-02-2006, 06:55 AM
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
10-02-2006, 05:29 PM
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??
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.
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
10-02-2006, 07:01 PM
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
10-02-2006, 07:28 PM
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
10-02-2006, 08:14 PM
Wouldn't it sux if you got stuck had a winch but couldn't utilize it? :crying:
I am still holding out for something better.
lotus4s
10-02-2006, 08:22 PM
Wouldn't it sux if you got stuck had a winch but couldn't utilize it? :crying:
I am still holding out for something better.
Why would you not be able to utilize it? :confused:
Why would you not be able to utilize it? :confused:
Yea, I was thinking the same thing.
Arizona Hummerboy
10-02-2006, 10:36 PM
You did a very nice job, it looks GREAT!!!!:clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :perfect10s: :perfect10s:
lotus4s
10-03-2006, 12:56 AM
Any pics or links to where we can get the custom skid plate?
Here's a link to DOI although I don't know if you can get just the front skid or if you have to get the whole underbody protection or if it's even available yet.
http://www.defeliceinnovations.com/PRODUCTSBuilttoBeat/HUMMER/HUMMERH3SKIDPLATE/tabid/219/ctl/View/mid/627/ItemID/191/Default.aspx
bjc, is that your truck in the pics?
bjc, is that your truck in the pics?
Yes.
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17517&highlight=skid
lotus4s
10-03-2006, 01:32 AM
Yes.
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17517&highlight=skid
What's your impression now after having used it for a few months?
Did you ever get the bolts changed out and did you find the protruding bolt heads a problem?
Is Matt proceeding on these? I spoke with him when I got the winch bumper and told him I'd be interested when he starts producing them but haven't heard anything since.
H3 Hummer
10-05-2006, 08:30 PM
Why would you not be able to utilize it? :confused:
I have had problems with a winch even when I had access to the cable. When you are stuck your vehicle usually isn't in the best posistion.
With your design, since you are not able to easily get to the winch cable it may be difficult to pull the line out. Easily fixed when you have a open winch with access to the cable on a flat stable surface. More difficult if you are off balance or wading through mud. Even more difficult if you are unstable, wading through mud and can't even reach the cable. That would really suck and I would hate to be in that posistion. Hope that helps clarify what I meant.
What's your impression now after having used it for a few months?
Did you ever get the bolts changed out and did you find the protruding bolt heads a problem?
Is Matt proceeding on these? I spoke with him when I got the winch bumper and told him I'd be interested when he starts producing them but haven't heard anything since.
I'm very happy with my skid plates - I've not had time to change out the bolts yet, though. Matt has all the designs on his computer, and I'm assuming he can fabricate the skids as demand arises.
Looks nice and clean!:perfect10s: :clapping:
I have had problems with a winch even when I had access to the cable. When you are stuck your vehicle usually isn't in the best posistion.
With your design, since you are not able to easily get to the winch cable it may be difficult to pull the line out. Easily fixed when you have a open winch with access to the cable on a flat stable surface. More difficult if you are off balance or wading through mud. Even more difficult if you are unstable, wading through mud and can't even reach the cable. That would really suck and I would hate to be in that posistion. Hope that helps clarify what I meant.
:iagree: although I don't have one yet on my truck, I have used them on scout HMMWV's in the military and I have an ATV winch.
If you know you're heading out on to some hard trails you need to have some line played out and attached up high like on the brush guard so you are ready to go if need be. Just make sure it's well attached so it doesn't come loose and snag anything.
Anyone else with experience think this the solution to a concealed winch or are there other potential problems?
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