The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

Icknield · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 13:48 Post subject:

I've finally got round to fitting the winch tray that Chris made for me in May.

It's rather gloomy here today for pictures but hopefully these will show how it fits.

The number plate is a temporary fix but I'll get around to drilling and tapping a couple of fixing points later!

Chris' test bed for the winch was, I believe, an early Mk3 (i.e. without round fog lights) and I suspect it did not have AC. I only say this as although the tray fitted my 2003, it was a snug fit in front of the condenser and care is needed lifting it into and out of place.

Otherwise, fitting is a case of removing grille and bumper, cutting off the front of the two longitudinal chassis members (to gain access for fitting new bolts), cutting out the the "slats" from the bumper plus a few extra cms at the bottom of the opening to allow for the recovery points welded on to the winch tray.

The tray has standard mounting holes for most winches but if you have a wider than usual unit (as in so-called high-speed winches) then some trimming of one side of the tray will be needed.

I can just reach the clutch on my winch through the front opening but depending on the model fitted it might be necessary to cut a hole in the top of the bumper/bottom of the grille, which would certainly make the installation look less tidy...if that's important to you.

I couldn't get the bumper or grille to fit over the solenoid pack in the standard position (bolted to winch motor casing) so I have extended the solenoid to motor cables and have these in the engine compartment while I work out where and how to fit solenoid, emergency cut-off and split charger. It may be possible to fit a smaller solenoid behind the grille but as I'll also be looking for a home for the wireless remote and wander lead fittings....some more investigation is needed.

I don't know whether Chris has actually produced a full winch bumper yet for the Mk3. I had been interested in one but decided to go with the winch tray because it was available! Of course, the standard bumper is a lightweight unit not designed for heavy off-road use but the approach angle is not too bad and I prefer the "discrete" winch tray look so long as it will do the job. The final decider for me was that at about 50 kgs or so, the combined weight of tray and winch should mean I can get away without upgrading the front springs, which would probably have been needed with the additional weight of a heavy metal bumper.

Tony

venn105 · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 13:59 Post subject:

Looks superb tony Cool

nice and discrete too(unlike a winch bumper).To me that looks far better,keeps the original look of truck without ruining the bumper Cool

Rob.ie · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 16:50 Post subject:

Cheers for posting the pics! Cool

What winch have you gone with? If I were to go this route some day I'd be the same in wanting the handle hidden away for a neater finish.

Icknield · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 19:07 Post subject:

Rob.ie · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 19:11 Post subject:

Won't be in the market for a good while yet, but good to know that you can fit a decently powerful winch in there without interference. Cool

V12 rick · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 19:21 Post subject:

Looks good Laughing

as venn said nice and discrete,very tidy Very Happy

brsvs · * Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 13 Location: Northern Ireland

Just got an excellent front winch mounting kit sent from ASFIR.com and only £18 carriage to the UK well made and complete with all bolts brackets etc.The part no for their MK3 is 567020

Mike Bishop · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 13:01 Post subject: Re: Mk 3 Shogun winch bumper