Anybody mounted a winch on a 03 700 Sportsman? If so, which brand winch and mount did you use? It seems like it should be fairly easy to build the mounting bracket. I have the Polaris brushguard already and it looks like some of the mounts are designed to fit where the brushguard is bolted on.

 

I had my dealer put on a warn 2.5ci winch with the multi-mount. I think the regular mount would look better but I wanted the ability to move the winch to the rear. I also like the idea of being able to remove it completely when not needed. I haven't had a chance to use it yet but I'm sure I'll like it. I liked my old warn 2000lb winch so this should be even better.

 

I put a winch in mine using a piece of flat stock 1/4 inch thick. I drilled the holes to match the holes in back of the winch opening (where the plastic headlight assembly mounts to the frame). Then I drilled holes to match the ones on the winch itself and mounted the plate to the winch. I then took out the bolts that hold the plastic headlight assembly to the frame and put them through the holes that I drilled in the flat stock and back into the frame. It worked out great. I have a brush guard and I mounted the fairlead to that.

Hope this helps.

 

Spruce 700, I think I see what you mean. Your winch is mounted to the 1/4 inch plate vertically and the plate bolted to the frame where the composite bumper/headlight assembly bolts on? I was thinking about something like that but wasn't sure if it would be strong enough. Thanks for the info.

 

V8

That is exactly what I did. It works great and it is easy to do also.

 

Spruce 700, Which winch did you use?

 

I used the 2000 lb. superwinch. But I think it would work for both.

 

Had a warn 2.5ci with a multi-mount installed, love it and it works great. Only down side is a "stock" brush guard/bumper will not fit from the looks of things.
But a homemade one will slide right into the mounts for the winch. Warn says keep the winch on the back if you run with their multi-mount system. Wich is fine anyway, it tucks in real nice in back and keeps the bike looking good. Pluss now I can mount some off road lights in the front stock winch opening.

 

That is great if you want to pull yourself back from where you came from. What happens if you want to go ahead down the trail.

 

I put the Warn A2000 (2000lb) winch that Polaris sells on my '03 700. It fits nicely into the compartment in the front bumper between the headlights - no special mounting bracket needed. I also bought the Warn rocker switch for it, looks a lot better than the one that it comes with. I can send you a pic if you'd like to see how it looks. I've also got the Polaris brushguard on mine so you'd be able to get a pretty good idea of how it looks.

I just looked at Warn's website, and I didn't see the A2000 listed anymore. Looks like they came out with some new models. It's actually the same winch as the A2500, though, the 2500 just has a different switch (which I didn't really like), heavier-duty wiring, and heavier duty solenoid. Not sure if the new models would fit into the compartment I put mine or not, but the A2500 definitely will.