Winch install questions

[Smokinyoda]

Finally got around to putting winch on today, and I have a couple questions.

The tie down/handle does not fit anymore. The holes on the frame are blocked by the extensions. Is this normal? Should I drill through the extensions or just leave them off? All other holes line up so i'm sure I have it on right (shown in last picture).

Also the mount for the front shackles, what do you use as a spacer for the rear 2 bolts? There is a gap between it and the extension. I was going to use washers but didn't have any big enough, and curious what others used.

 

[Recovry4x4]

That's odd but maybe not! I've never bothered to check the span between the bolts of the old U shaped tie downs and those that you have. None of the later truck (which had those handles) were equipped with a winch so I'd say they are different. My personal opinion would be to drill the winch extension to match the frame, not visa versa.

There is a spacer that was used under the mount on winch trucks. If you have extra lower grille mounts you can sacrifice them for the cause.

 

[Smokinyoda]

None of the later truck (which had those handles) were equipped with a winch so I'd say they are different.

Thanks for reply, but when you say later truck, you mean newer? This is supposedly a '65 model. Although it did go through the depot rebuild in the late 80's if that matters.

The span appears to be the same. My other truck has u bolt handle, and bolt pattern looks the same.

Just to make sure I wasn't having a brain fart I went out to check and took a couple of pictures of the outside and inside.

And by the way, what is the intended purpose of these handles?

 

[KsM715]

IIRC there just tie down points. Places to lash stuff to the truck.

 

[wsucougarx]

Yes you do use a big thick washer on the shackles. I've done 4 winch installs. 3/4 had the holes line up perfect for the handle. I had to drill the hole on the '68 for the handle to go in

 

[gringeltaube]

The span appears to be the same. My other truck has u bolt handle, and bolt pattern looks the same.

Yes, same for both styles, 4.5 inches. (pic#1)

Just to make sure I wasn't having a brain fart I went out to check and took a couple of pictures of the outside and inside.

Compare position of bolt holes (pic#2)... your extensions are OK, while the frame is odd in that it is drilled farther forward. Even so I would re-drill the extensions like Kenny suggested.

Also, instead of washers you could use a piece of flat iron as spacer (last pic)
That is closest to what comes factory installed, welded in place.

G.

 

[Hooty481]

My frame is exactly the same way... The vin plate where it came from GL says it was a tanker tank truck m49 and also says it had a winch but it doesn't appear to have ever had a winch. when i got the truck the tank was off and i just got a cab a chassey. the front end looked like it had never been touched. so i was wondering about drilling the holes in the winch extensions myself i my truck is either a 68 or a 70 title says 70m49 and vin plate says 68 m49 beats me

 

[Smokinyoda]

My truck must have rolled off the line on a Friday...

Thanks for clearing everything up.

 

[treeguy]

Thats really strange about the tie downs, the donor truck's look like an older style. Winch trucks have that 1/4" plate that Gringeltaube shows welded to their triangle bumper supports. I reused my triangles so I put the shackle mount on the bumper, slid in the front two bolts and put a plate under it. Then I traced the mount and the bolt holes, removed it, drilled, cut and volla!
How did you make out for the bolts?
Fun wrenchin id nit?