winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

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Path
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wanted to put a winch on my G, but Mercedes and other shops say that the integrated cannot be warn as there are oil and hydraulics radiators behind the bumper and they SHOULD NOT be moved in order to put the winch.

Also Mercedes is not "approving" to put a winch on the bumper, as this would result to less intake of air in the radiator, which will affect the performance of the car, especially in the summer.

I have seen an ORC "extension", which is mounted underneath the front bumper and then on that you can put & take off a winch, but I really don't like it & the distance from the ground seems to be be much more smaller with this extension.

Got any other ideas?

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kmaser
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

There are numerous examples of people mounting winches and winch bumpers on 463's . Most of them involve relocating the oil cooler that is behind the bumper and most low profile winches will have minimal effect on air flow to the radiator. There is even a mercedes oil cooler relocation bracket http://gwagenpreserve.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=fl... This would allow you to use a different bumper or just get the cooler out of the way. Also in this thread is a picture of one 463 with a fabricated bumper and one with a factory MB supplied winch bumper.
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=15004&posts=1... winch&highlightmode=1
Cheers

Kurtis

Maxwell Smart
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

It certainly can be done - check with www.orc.de

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

xmmm, it really doesn't surprise me that Mercedes dealer in Athens had no idea of Mercedes oil relocation kit..

Thanx again, will look into it & inform you (+ photos) of the result

TvaiX
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Hi,

I just constructed own bumper for winch for my G320 w463 SWB 94`. I like to go in tourist offroading so needed pair up with somebody if needed help or get winch.
I got new Come-Up DS-9.5, I will test it in weekend. If you are interested I can post my pictures of bumper. I maded new bumper because I want to sell my w463 in few month and get w460 for rebuilding, so I didn`t mess up original G bumper. But I like ORC bumper very match... :) Thinking maybe in future to buy, because of certification...

phileas
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Hi Path. Shame you didn't say so in the summer: I was in your neck of the woods (Kalamata/Athens). I have a winch mounted below the bumper - clear of radiator, etc. I will take some pics tonight and post them. Ph

phileas
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Path, per my earlier post, here are some pics of my G300 with the winch. The G300 (UK version) is effectively an older 300GEL but with fancier seats and a few more comforts. The difference it will be to yours is that mine doesn't have an oil cooler in the front of the bumper. Either way, here's what I've done and it should fit yours as well. My winch is a relatively low profile XP 9.5 Warn with the solonoid pack detached. The solonoid pack is mounted in the engine compartment so that it is out of the way. You'll notice that the hand control plugs has been relocated to come out on top of the bumper though: this is so that I don't have to open up the bonnect every time I want to use the winch. The winch sits BENEATH and slightly behind the front of the bumper: that means, even if you had an oil cooler in the front of the bumper, it wouldn't be affected as the drum of the winch is clear of it. This arrangement, in other words, should fit yours (or the G500 for that matter). The only difference from set up would be where you place the number plate. Yours would effectively not be moved from where it is at all so that the oil cooler slots in the bumper are clear to the airstream. Below are the pics. Hope these help/Ph

hus55
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

i am personally looking into a winch too, but regulations here are tight and so ph's, bill moss set up look good.

i was also looking into the orc 'american hitch' style fitment so it can be removed when not in use and also can be fitted to the back of the G if needed once another amercian hitch is neatly incorporated into the rear tow bar.

i think orc have the best solutions.

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Thanx TvaiX & phileas.

I need to find someone, to trust and give him all these ideas, as I will not be able to do something on my own, but thanx for your ideas.

hus55, a friend of mind had a pick up and he had this kit of putting the winch either in the front or at the back. Here are some problems that he encounterred:

when you go off road you need to have the winch already installed and not try to put it when you are already in the mud, stuck or just dirty (without being stuck). If you think about it, most times you have a problem finding or cleaning the "O ring" (don't know the name of it) where you put the strap so another car will pull you. So imagine having to install the winch in a situation like that. But if you already install the winch at the rear from before, then your approach angle changes.. & as I think of it, most probably you will bend the axle of the winch base or something..
So if it is not really helpful to be able to put the winch at the back, you will put it in the front, if there is not another problem.

Then again as you say in your country the same here, if the winch is sticking out of the bumper, then the authorities will not permit the car to be driven on roads.. So the removable front winch could be workable or the one that hides behind the bumper.

The ORC solution for the front, I don't like it, as I explained in my first post here, but found another one at g-wagenaccessories.com that I might consider, but as it seems I need a different bumper for that.. which will rise the cost..

Dimitrios
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Hi Path, have you find a solution about the winch mount ???
I can recommend you two places in Athens that they are very familiar with winch installations.Auto control (www.autocontrol.gr) ask for John and Xtreme 4x4 (xtreme4x4.gr) ask for Thodoris.They are the only I trust and attractive prices too.

Xairetismous

Dimitris

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Dimitrios wrote:
Hi Path, have you find a solution about the winch mount ???
I can recommend you two places in Athens that they are very familiar with winch installations.Auto control (www.autocontrol.gr) ask for John and Xtreme 4x4 (xtreme4x4.gr) ask for Thodoris.They are the only I trust and attractive prices too.

Xairetismous

Dimitris

just saw your msg & contacted autocontrol who they told that they know all about changing the position of the oil cooler and installing a winch behind the bumper. Will take my G their next week and see what will happen

euxaristw

P.S. I have already bought the relocation kit for the oil cooler, but they said that they could also do it, as they do it to the NAVARA and other models. will see

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Finally, went to xtreme4X4, where Dr. Paul made a fantastic job!! I give you his work:

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

getting there..

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

done!! of to the rocksliders now..

hus55
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

masallah !!!!!

looks fantastic mate, i like it.

wished the photos were clearer :wink:

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

hus55 wrote:

wished the photos were clearer :wink:

they are from mobile with 2mp camera...

hus55
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

doesnt matter, keep the photos rolling !

phileas
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

nice job. when you relocated the oil cooler, is it still protected by the steering/sump bash guard?

mortinson
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Sorry to ruin the party, but....

I don't think fitting a front winch to your pride and joy is a good idea. At least not in my experience. A friend used his bumper for what it was designed for, bumping into the bottom of a long ravine covered in greasy clay with his brakes locked despite utmost care... as a result of that the winch destroyed the radiator. Not fun, I'd say.

I think a much better solution, at least for pre-1996 Gs is to use a portable winch fitted to a taylor-made cradle to fit the front towing pintle: you carry it in the boot -well secured if you don't want it to fly over your head- and only fit it when needed.

My friend Freyer did this in his G300... some pictures of its operation in my album: http://picasaweb.google.com/mortinson3/Tamajon02

hus55
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

I'm with you on this one Isa. was speaking along these lines with shakir on the phone an hour ago.

as much as like the winch idea, for me its only a temporary tool for extreme needs :wink: thats my thought and mean no desrespect to other's thoughts....

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

mortinson wrote:
Sorry to ruin the party, but....

I don't think fitting a front winch to your pride and joy is a good idea. At least not in my experience. A friend used his bumper for what it was designed for, bumping into the bottom of a long ravine covered in greasy clay with his brakes locked despite utmost care... as a result of that the winch destroyed the radiator. Not fun, I'd say.

I think a much better solution, at least for pre-1996 Gs is to use a portable winch fitted to a taylor-made cradle to fit the front towing pintle: you carry it in the boot -well secured if you don't want it to fly over your head- and only fit it when needed.

My friend Freyer did this in his G300... some pictures of its operation in my album: http://picasaweb.google.com/mortinson3/Tamajon02

will have to get back to you on that, even though I hope I will never have to do so..

one question though, if your friend in the photo that you posted, had the same accident, why wouldn't the radiator be destroyed by the winch??

as you said before 1996 model, mine is 2006 model

Path
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

phileas wrote:
nice job. when you relocated the oil cooler, is it still protected by the steering/sump bash guard?

you confuse me with the word "still", before the relocation, the oil cooler was inside the bumper

phileas
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Hi Path,

I thought that as a result of the winch being fitted between the chassis rails that you may have had to relocate your oil cooler. MB do a standard bracket for this which isn't expensive for an easy retrofit and my question was whether it went behind the bash guard. In the meantime, I've found out that it does, but have opted to have the winch mounted slightly above in any case (see pic below) as I didn't want to mess at all with the oil cooler location. As a result of doing this though, the bumper had to be reinforced quite a lot although none of this is apparent when you look at it now: all the extra brackets are below the winch bed plate. I wanted to keep the MB engineering as stock as possible.

Admitedly, I haven't had the time to test how good this works yet, but have a gearbox oil temperature gauge fitted as well just to monitor the situation.

Have fun,
Phileas

peter perfect
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

phileas wrote:
Hi Path,

I thought that as a result of the winch being fitted between the chassis rails that you may have had to relocate your oil cooler. MB do a standard bracket for this which isn't expensive for an easy retrofit and my question was whether it went behind the bash guard. In the meantime, I've found out that it does, but have opted to have the winch mounted slightly above in any case (see pic below) as I didn't want to mess at all with the oil cooler location. As a result of doing this though, the bumper had to be reinforced quite a lot although none of this is apparent when you look at it now: all the extra brackets are below the winch bed plate. I wanted to keep the MB engineering as stock as possible.

Admitedly, I haven't had the time to test how good this works yet, but have a gearbox oil temperature gauge fitted as well just to monitor the situation.

Have fun,
Phileas

I would have moved oil cooler, prone to getting mud and clogging up. but looks a tidy fit anyhow

piggysims
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

I didn't move my oil cooler... :cry: :cry:

easydeluxe
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

you are using a fairlead with metal wire rope???
Is that possible?
If so, please tell me where I can find a fairlead for wire rope?
thx
G

bigblock
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

Their are two types of fairlead, a hawse as in the above photo and a roller fairlead.

The roller type is more commonly used with steel cable but the hawse can also be used providing it is made from stainless steel and not one of the materials designed for a plasma type rope.

They are widely available, here is a link to a selection from Warn.

http://www.warnwinch.org/warn-pn73851-winches-hawse-fairlead/

easydeluxe
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Re: winch on a G 320 (463) model 2006, 2 door

thank you!
G