Winch cradle.

[stevefisho]

New member I is.
Purchased a 'factory' winch cradle (or so I was told) that fits Challenger/Triton so as to retain the alloy nudge bar.
This cradle is an over engineered piece of kit that includes recovery points, multiple bolt securing etc.
Going on it is a 14000 lb winch with synthetic cable.
My vehicle is a 2015/16 Challenger LS 'end of model run out' with all the bells and whistles that Challengers have.
Has anyone else fitted up and retained the nudge bar.
Reasons being weight to keep GVM down as I have a (4) battery/twin solar/inverter system and I don't like bull bars.
Regards.
Steve.

[old Jack]

Hi and welcome Steve,

To my knowledge there was not a factory winch mount availble in Australia.
Can you post some photos or a link that shows in detail the winch mount you have purchased?

OJ.

[rgrubby]

Will the winch fit inside the bumper? The issue I found trying to keep the nudge bar with my hidden winch (not a Challenger) was it limited the range of angle the winch rope could go

[stevefisho]

[stevefisho]

[stevefisho]

Pictures were copied straight off sellers page.
Measurements in width are the same as the Challenger. Rear bracket patterns seem the same as well other bolt patterns.
Heavy it is and has been attached to a Triton 2010>on before this guy got it.
Time to get it under is short at the moment but only oddity I see so far is the actual nudge bar holes may only line up for one bolt per side.
Had a 2013 Triton GLXR before the Challenger and i don't remember if the 2 bolts (per side) were parallel or angled like the Challenger.
Steve.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MITSUBISHI-TRITON-ML-MN-Winch-mounting-plate-cradle-for-bullbar-mount/323912834123?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2648

[old Jack]

So where does the fairlead bolt onto?

OJ.

[stevefisho]

So where does the fairlead bolt onto?

OJ.

2 bolt holes each side of winch holes. I will have to fabricate a mounting as this was supposedly lost in a shed clean up.
A couple of attachment feet and a front plate and that should do it.
Steve.

[stevefisho]

Started the epic fit up of this cradle.

Well it seems to sit where it's supposed to go.
Rear bolts are fine in same place as Alloy nudge bar steel supports.
Front couple are out or seem that way but not fussed as scope for secure fixtures won't be a brain explode.
Original brackets are discarded. Original tow hook and tie down loop have been cut off as it wouldn't even go close with them remaining.
Swung it up off the rear bolts and found it hard in time I had to locate cradle permanently.
Back to standard Alloy bar for time being with grill cut out and front end chassis rails ground back a little to accommodate width as the cradle fits into or up against the front cross rail. No alteration just ground back the dags from factory build.
Bolt location is a pain and local bolt supplier had no longer bolts I need for replace factory ones.. all should bolt into existing chassis threads.Seems Alloy bar will be a bit higher.

Pictures later when I finally take it on a again.


Steve