I'm worried that after buying a new winch, it will get stolen. I don't have a garage to keep my truck in and would like to know how those of you without garages keep your winches safe.

 

general rule of thumb is.. if its so easy to take off, its easy to put on. only put it on before you leave to go offroading.

 

I saw an ad for a doo-dad that replaces a bolt and has a key slot on top of it, so basically it makes one mounting bolt unremovable without the key, so they can't steal the winch. Don't remember where I saw the ad though, in a 4x4 mag.

You could always tack weld it onto the bumper in spots so they just couldn't unmount it and pull it off.

Mine on my 3rd genner is not easily accessible to remove so they would have to have some time, but they could steal it if they really wanted it, but I have a garage.

 

I don't relish the thought of lugging the winch on and off every weekend and storing it in my apartment. I'm sure the wife would love a dirty winch sitting on the coffee table!

 

I think its Tuffy that makes the bolt lock, there was an ad for it in the most recent 4 wheeling and SUV magazine. I was going to get one for my winch as well. You could always weld a cap over one of the bolts.

 

http://www.4x4wire.com/news/Tuffy/secbolt04/



Here's a link I found describing it.

Sounds like a good idea in theory anyways.



EDIT: With a price tag of $40 plus shipping and handling, I'll weld on a few bolts.

 

I just welded the bolts. Only way that winch is coming off now is with a grinder.

 

Just clean it up, put it on top of the tv and have some rabbit ears coming out of it and tell her it's a new high definition flux capacitor.

 

I agree with GoldenBoy. Everything that I don't plan on removing anytime soon and don't want ripped off I spot weld a nut to the top of the bolt. 30 sec of grinding and it is off.

 

I would get a receiver put on and get a multimount frame if you are worried about it getting stolen then you can take it on and off when you want.

 

What kind of bumper is it in?

Most require pulling the bumper to pull the winch. If a thug has time to take the bumper apart, pull the winch and thoughtfully put the bumper back on, they are motivated and deserve getting the stuff.