P1000 KFI Winch Mount Concerns

[Pioneer1k]

I just installed the kfi winch mount and it doesn't seem very strong it mounts to the front diff bolts and to the lower bumper bolts. I have not tested it but It looks like it will bend I can make it flex by just pulling on the winch by hand but I don't have the bumper back on but all of the bolts in. The Honda mount mounts to the upper and lower bumper bolts and the winch sits angled back it looks like a much stronger design.

 

[Admin]

 

[educ8tedguess]

I just installed the kfi winch mount and it doesn't seem very strong it mounts to the front diff bolts and to the lower bumper bolts. I have not tested it but It looks like it will bend I can make it flex by just pulling on the winch by hand but I don't have the bumper back on but all of the bolts in. The Honda mount mounts to the upper and lower bumper bolts and the winch sits angled back it looks like a much stronger design.

I just installed mine and I had the same thought. That's a lot of pressure to be putting on those parts...

 

[JACKAL]

I just installed the kfi winch mount and it doesn't seem very strong it mounts to the front diff bolts and to the lower bumper bolts. I have not tested it but It looks like it will bend I can make it flex by just pulling on the winch by hand but I don't have the bumper back on but all of the bolts in. The Honda mount mounts to the upper and lower bumper bolts and the winch sits angled back it looks like a much stronger design.

Interesting observation, thanks for sharing your concerns during install. Once the front bumper is bolted back into place with all bolts tightened do you still have the same amount of flex? Several components are interdependent with regards to structural integrity, still there is a right way and a easy way to design things. Please let us know, I too have a KFI mount on the way.

 

[SHAWNSHONDA]

I purchased the KFI mount also I didn't install it yet .I think it sits to low thinking I'll wait till strong made comes out with a bumper. And see what it looks like.

 

[nbomar]

Mine flexed some until I had the bumper on. Those lower bolts I think get some rigidity from the bumper filling the gap between KFI mount and the bolt mount.

 

[posterboy]

Mine was the same.. it had some flex to it until I put the bumper on. With the bumper bolted on tight everything became very solid. Those two bumper bolts are the key I think.

After reading this, I had to go out to see if I could get it to flex all mounted up again to make sure and I could not get it to budge.

I can see if you do not get those bottom bolts tight on the bumper there could still be some flex, but not with them bolted tight.

 

[JACKAL]

Mine was the same.. it had some flex to it until I put the bumper on. With the bumper bolted on tight everything became very solid. Those two bumper bolts are the key I think.

After reading this, I had to go out to see if I could get it to flex all mounted up again to make sure and I could not get it to budge.

I can see if you do not get those bottom bolts tight on the bumper there could still be some flex, but not with them bolted tight.

This is exactly what I suspected. Thanks

 

[Plumber32]

My winch mount was pretty twisted up on my 700 just from plowing last year, just keep an eye on the bolts to make sure they stay tight. I ended up going with the emp bumper with the winch mounted up top. I could see if you got really mired in a whole a 4500lb winch could bend the whole front up or bend the bolts, as mine were bent also.

 

[posterboy]

My winch mount was pretty twisted up on my 700 just from plowing last year, just keep an eye on the bolts to make sure they stay tight. I ended up going with the emp bumper with the winch mounted up top. I could see if you got really mired in a whole a 4500lb winch could bend the whole front up or bend the bolts, as mine were bent also.

Anything will bend if you beat on it hard enough. If you twisted your plate you may need to make sure you leave enough slack out on your cable when you are plowing. Any impact to your cable is going over the pound rating of the winch from the speed and weight of your machine, kind of like running into a tree.

 

[Plumber32]

Anything will bend if you beat on it hard enough. If you twisted your plate you may need to make sure you leave enough slack out on your cable when you are plowing. Any impact to your cable is going over the pound rating of the winch from the speed and weight of your machine, kind of like running into a tree.

what caused it was running down the road with the plow up. I have the front mount that lifts 30"+ so I had to figure it's from bouncing. I don't lift it to the point of hitting anything.I leave plenty of slack too.

 

[Whiskey1]

Interesting observation, thanks for sharing your concerns during install. Once the front bumper is bolted back into place with all bolts tightened do you still have the same amount of flex? Several components are interdependent with regards to structural integrity, still there is a right way and a easy way to design things. Please let us know, I too have a KFI mount on the way.

I was just about to order the KFI mount as well, and was concerned after reading the first thread, but it seems everything is ok after the bumper bolts are tight again. woohoo!

 

[pct]

I was just about to order the KFI mount as well, and was concerned after reading the first thread, but it seems everything is ok after the bumper bolts are tight again. woohoo!

how is the angle of the winch cable to the bumper any pics of it

 

[JACKAL]

how is the angle of the winch cable to the bumper any pics of it

It is about a 25-30 degree angle up and will touch / rub the bottom of the fairlead while under tension. I don't think it is a serious issue unless you plan on running a snow plow, and only then I think you would get excessive wear on the same 12" of rope constantly going back and forth lifting a plow up n down. Otherwise typical use I think a person would be OK.

 

[PioneerPete]

I used the Honda winch mount. I didn't measure thickness, but it is very substantial. At least 1/4" thick. It was rigid (no flex) even before bolting it up. I have no doubts, it won't be flexing or going anywhere.

 

[ghost]

I used the Honda winch mount. I didn't measure thickness, but it is very substantial. At least 1/4" thick. It was rigid (no flex) even before bolting it up. I have no doubts, it won't be flexing or going anywhere.

Were you able to buy just the honda mount?
Looks like I would have to buy to whole kit. Pricey to begin with but especially if I only want the mount.
How is the angle to the fairlead with the honda mount?

 

[ghost]

I used 3 x 1/8 aluminum flat bars and the 3/16 plate that came with the winch to raise the winch on the kfi mount. Thats as far as I could without contacting the upper mounts for the bumper. It raises the winch a little more than 1/2 inch - helps a lot.
I also filed the fairlead so the rope rolls over better.

 

[pct]

I used 3 x 1/8 aluminum flat bars and the 3/16 plate that came with the winch to raise the winch on the kfi mount. Thats as far as I could without contacting the upper mounts for the bumper. It raises the winch a little more than 1/2 inch - helps a lot.
I also filed the fairlead so the rope rolls over better.
View attachment 10268 View attachment 10269

Looks like you mite have a handle on it how much did it help the angle of the cable

 

[PioneerPete]

Were you able to buy just the honda mount?
Looks like I would have to buy to whole kit. Pricey to begin with but especially if I only want the mount.
How is the angle to the fairlead with the honda mount?

I think it is an "installation kit" that includes the mount, and some other stuff. I can't remember if the solenoid and wiring harness came with the winch or the installation kit. Like most other Honda accessories, it was pricey. I needed it that day so I could get it installed before a planned ride, so I paid the extra. I can't really say if it's truly higher quality since I've never had any of the other brand winches or kits.
The angle could be better, but the cable doesn't rub anywhere, so I'm not complaining.

 

[Jack39]

I used the KFI mount to build my front receiver from. It flexed wicked bad! I checked all the hardware and it was tight. The plate was flexing/bending. I had to remove it and add gussets to stiffen it. I was afraid if I left it as it was, it would fail from fatigue.

 

[ghost]

Looks like you mite have a handle on it how much did it help the angle of the cable

This is after the shims - I don.t have a "before" picture.
It's not great but I can live with it now.