I still have my 2000 4Runner with lots of mods. I typically only drive it when it snows. In the summer, my wife and I go 4 wheeling just a couple times a year. I volunteer with my county's search and rescue, which sometimes involves my 4Runner.

My career normally consumes a lot of my time. I work in factory automation/controls engineering/systems integration. Plenty of travel is normally assumed to be part of this career path. I've actually been lucky the last several years that I haven't had to travel too far from home, and yet my career has a voracious appetite to consume my time.

Don't know. Haven't seen Big Jim post for a while.

Is it ok to weld the winch mounting plate to a frame cross member, and to the front bumper steel backing?
.....I am trying to go for a look, that makes the winch look like it was factory.....I also don't like those winch bumpers that they sell for the Liberty. I am not against welding a support or two to the bumper metal...Mike <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" />

Lloyd Swartz bolted a 1/2" plate to the frame rails behind the front bumper then mounted his winch to that. With this setup, all that's needed is a clean hole & fairlead in the stock bumper. Also no additional reinforcements are required at the bumper unless the winch output does not line up with the hole. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Thanks.....I had never thought about going through the bumper. I was going to sit it on top of the bumper, with a cutout on the top of the bumper cover. What kind of fairlead did he use? What's your thoughts on synthetic rope, over wire rope?....Mike <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" />

Synthetic provides a significant weight advantage - as in less weight. And, it is much easier to handle vs wire cable.

However, there are mounting details to consider. Make sure there are no sharp edges when the synthetic rope is moved to different angles.

Thanks....Now on to the practical part....Mike <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" />

I've just been buying ammo, and shooting guns... a lot.

I need to get back on the food storage wagon though.

I like your train of thought...I am pretty sure they will kill me, before anything big happens....I have a big mouth, and no filter anymore, with my meds...Mike <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" />

Mike,

I don't know that you have noticed, but Big Jim has been busy posting the last week or so.