Winch Sizes and Bullbars

[Spoonman]

I was speaking to Opposite Lock today about bullbars and winches for my Challenger and was told that no 12000lb winch will fit in a bullbar for a Challenger because they're "too big". They said I could only get a 9500lb winch and funnily enough happen to have a special going on VRS winches.....you get the idea. I felt like I was being upsold but maybe I'm too cynical.

Anyway I wanted to look into this a bit more, so compared the dimensions of the VRS winch to the 4WD Supacentre Domin8tor 12000lb winch as follows:

Domin8tor 537mm x 160mm x 218mm, 26m x 9.5mm rope, 27kg
VRS 552mm x 168mm x 214mm, 30m x 9mm rope, 31kg

Now it seems to me based on the dimensions that apart from 4mm on one measurement, the Domin8tor is smaller in every way.

Am I missing something? Is there more to a winch fitting in a bar than it's physical dimensions?

I should add that I'm not looking for comments on quality or reliability of winches, just the fitting issue.

[Kingbrown]

The Grande winch fits my ARB bullbar without a problem (claimed 12000lb unit).
Rotating the gearbox was the only change needed to fit it.
Offset hawse was required in order to align the rope/spool with the cutout in the front of the bullbar.
My solenoid pack is also mounted in the same space as the winch. It's a tight fit alongside the winch, but a neater install than having it perched atop the bar.

[Aussie_Dan]

You have been led up the garden path!
Generally speaking, 9500 and 12000lb winches are the same physical size, it is just the horsepower rating of the motor and / or the reduction gear ratio that differs.
Cheers, Dan.

[MitchellVT]

Hey Aussie_Dan & Kingbrown thanks for the replies to this thread. I have been tossing up which winch to fit behind my TJM bar and of course TJM want to sell me about $1400 worth of their 9500lb winch and I could see no reason for it. I was also wondering if it was ok and or possible to fit the solenoid/control box down below the top of the bar as well.

How did you go Spoonman? what did you end up doing? Pics would be cool.

[Kumabear]

It is very unlikely that a 12000lb winch wont fit just fine.
Unless it is one that is designed to be extra fast so has taller gearing and a extra large motor or something.
I have an opposite lock bar on my paj (not a sport) and my 12000lb winch fit without even having to take the bar off.


As for winch brands, have a good look at Runva.



Mine has served me well and I know there is a few others with them kicking around on here. They seem to both be high quality and offer good value for money backed by Australian parts availability and a really good warranty I would definitely buy again.
I paid ~$800 mark for my Runva EXW12000 with synthetic rope.


I would not put the control box anywhere its likely to get submerged in a water crossing, also keep in mind if you did get stuck/bogged you may need to get access to it in a hurry in the event something happens to the wireless control, that's going to be hard if wherever you have it is full of mud / under water