Has anyone mounted a winch behind the stock grille? Im thinking about removing the lower grille and impact bar and making a flat plate that goes from one frame rail to the other to mount the winch to and then mounting the roller so that the cable would go right through where the cheap plastic grille insert is. Then obviously put the bumper and impact bar back on. what is everyones thoughts on this? please post pics or links if anyone has done this before. I have been looking for the last two weeks all over the internet for this and found nothing.

 

Something like this?

 

are those panels easily removable? I'm not seeing how you can easily access the winch to plug in the controller (unless you have it hard wired in the cab). or how you can reach the clutch release for free spool?

 

The center plate is removable and there is more then enough room to get you hand between the top grill. One more thing the winch comes with a wireless remote.

 

Thanks! That's a lot of help. I appreciate the pics. It has deffinately motivated me to go ahead a d get started soon on fabing up my own bracket to mount a winch and then I can get a little more daring when I go wheelin!

 

Don't forget to post up pictures!!!! I'm still not done with the new bumper

 

It'll be a little while before I do it since I still need to shop around for a winch but I'm excited that this has been done. Post pics when you get yours fully done too.

 

This is what I have.

NEW 12000 pound - 12500 Lbs 12 VOLT TRUCK JEEP TRAILER WATERPROOF RECOVERY WINCH | eBay

 

good design. the extra weight cues the front to drop much?

 

Just a hair but nothing hitting the T-bars some more can't help.