Can't get my winch off!

[JeepCJ5]

So originally, I wanted to remove my winch so that I could access the drivers side turn signal for replacement. In the end, I was able to replace it by just removing the plastic winch cover.

That being said, how the !$% am I supposed to get this winch plate off? If you look at the first photo, I can get bolt number 3 off, no problem - access to both sides. Bolt #1 is a real bear I just have a tiny bit of access to the nut underneath. A regular socket is too short, and a deep socket is too long. I think maybe I could get the correct sized wrench on the bottom if I bought one of those with the closed head that pivots. The nut on bolt #2 though, is completely inaccessible, inside the frame. How the heck did it get installed in the first place? I tried unbolting the plastic cover and bending it up, but there is no way to get to a nut. The bolts just spin.

The driver's side is even worse, with the steering gearbox in the way.

Any ideas? I guess I would have to use a cutoff tool to cut as much of the head off as possible and then grind the rest? I just can't figure out how the plate was put on in the first place.

As far as I can tell, this also precludes me from ever removing the bumper also!

 

[Peanut Butter]

Can you remove these bolts.



You could always grind the heads off.

 

[HackFabrication]

Looks like a job for Mr. Torchie....

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Can you get a box wrench on the underside? Then use an air-impact wrench on top??

LG

 

[yellow85cj]

Looks like the bumper and brush bar are mounted to a sleeve that then goes into the frame. If you can, take off the brush bar.

Then remove bolts #2 & #3 and the bolts on the side of the frame. Looks to me like #1 is bolted to the sleeve, not the frame. If it hasn't rusted together, may slide out from the frame with the winch and plate still attached. Might take some PB Blaster and a BFH. Or winch it off.

Of course I'm not to familiar with CJ5 frames.

That's my guess about this puzzle.

 

[Hedgehog]

If you want to get it off it can be done, the question is, how badly do you want to take it off?

 

[JeepCJ5]

Yes, I could grind off the carriage bolts, and get the winch off, but it would still leave the plate on there.

Yes, I think I can get a pivoting box end wrench on the number 1 nut, but I can't even get my eyes on the nut for #2.

I'll take a look at the brush guard, but I think the same nuts hold it on.

Thanks for the ideas, I'll keep banging my head until I figure it out.

 

[Hedgehog]

Maybe removing the brush guard and the bumper will give yo access to the nuts.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Maybe removing the brush guard and the bumper will give yo access to the nuts.

YES-It should.
LG

 

[Peanut Butter]

What does it look like from underneath?

 

[JeepCJ5]

Well, after looking at it again, I think both the brush guard and bumper are held on by the number 1 bolt on both sides. There is a matching bolt on the bottom also. So if I can find a wrench that I can get onto the nut underneath, take off the bumper/brushguard, then I should have a straight shot down the frame to the #2 bolts on either side.

Thanks for your help - here are two shots from underneath:

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You have room for a box-end wrench on those nuts, on the bumper.
LG

 

[HackFabrication]

Dang... It's more fun when you use a torch:

 

[BajaEdition]

have you tried, oh

errr

you said winch, not wench

 

[JeepCJ5]

Ba-dum-crash

 

[Hedgehog]

Something to consider, Stainless Steel bolts don't have the strength of a Grade 8 Steel bolt. But I do notice the rust all around the nice shinny stainless nuts. I wonder if rusted steel is as strong as Stainless Steel.

Hack - I can't help but wonder Since we were fighting the Germans in WWII, who is at the other end of that flame thrower.

 

[HackFabrication]

Hack - I can't help but wonder Since we were fighting the Germans in WWII, who is at the other end of that flame thrower.

Russians.

 

[Hedgehog]

Ahhhhh ... Thought that was a likely possibility.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Any updates?
LG

 

[JeepCJ5]

Not yet - life got in the way.