Question about mounting a winch
07-08-2013, 11:20 PM
#1
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Question about mounting a winch
So Harbor freight had their july sale, and I picked up one of their 9000 lb winches. I am awaiting its arrival but I am a little unsure what I want to do, my issue is I already have a brush guard picture below.
It does not have a way to mount a winch anywhere and I am unsure if going the front tow hitch route is good because of two reasons. One I think the front tow hitch kits are only rated to 5k lbs. The rule of thumb is you need to handle force 1.5x the weight of your truck if I remember correctly so I would be at around 7500 lbs, thats 2500 over the hitch rating. Secondly I dont know if that bar on the bottom of the brush guard will interfere with where the winch would be.
I found a way to get the tough country hidden winch mount for around 179 shipped but I dont know if I want to deal with all that work mounting it and removing solenoid box and re positioning it .
Without removing the brush guard is my only option to do a rear mounted winch in the factory tow hitch and running power back to it? Thanks in advance
It does not have a way to mount a winch anywhere and I am unsure if going the front tow hitch route is good because of two reasons. One I think the front tow hitch kits are only rated to 5k lbs. The rule of thumb is you need to handle force 1.5x the weight of your truck if I remember correctly so I would be at around 7500 lbs, thats 2500 over the hitch rating. Secondly I dont know if that bar on the bottom of the brush guard will interfere with where the winch would be.
I found a way to get the tough country hidden winch mount for around 179 shipped but I dont know if I want to deal with all that work mounting it and removing solenoid box and re positioning it .
Without removing the brush guard is my only option to do a rear mounted winch in the factory tow hitch and running power back to it? Thanks in advance
07-09-2013, 11:10 AM
#2
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The front hitches that I've seen are rated for 5000lb trailer weight but 9000lb line pull weight, so you would be fine there. But the bottom bar of your brush guard might still interfere.
07-09-2013, 11:40 AM
#3
Senior Member
Get the hidden winch kit. The hitch mounts are usually rated for 9000 lbs but you can only pull in a straight line or it will bend the hitch. I have the harbor freight 12,000lb winch on the front of my 2003 and I made my own hidden mount for it.
08-06-2013, 08:58 PM
#5
I have the rc hidden winch mount kit with a hft 12k winch on it. I would reccomend it, because taking the bumper off to install it is not very hard at all. Do not get the reciever mount, theyre not nearly as sturdy as the real deal and dont look nearly as good. Relocating the solenoid box is really no problem either
08-07-2013, 09:53 AM
#7
I think rough country makes a kit that you can us to put the winch where the license plate holder is.
http://www.roughcountry.com/ford-f15...mount_1010.php
http://www.roughcountry.com/ford-f15...mount_1010.php
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08-20-2013, 05:07 PM
#9
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I've never seen a hidden mount for the 04-08.
Warn makes a kit, but it comes with a special winch, is crazy expensive and only fits 04-05:
http://www.warn.com/truck/mounting-s...ord_f150.shtml
Warn makes a kit, but it comes with a special winch, is crazy expensive and only fits 04-05:
http://www.warn.com/truck/mounting-s...ord_f150.shtml
08-24-2013, 11:43 PM
#10
Funny I have a front hitch to install and after reading this I think I will sell it and go with that hidden hitch from rough country. Don't like the idea of bending the hitch and you can't always be sure you are going to have a straight pull. So OP I would suggest you try and get a hidden winch mount...seems like the way to go.
I just have to figure out if my winch will fit...it is a powerplant 12k so it has a small compressor on top of the winch...but from the looks of things there should be room. OP not trying to hijack your thread just throwing the thoughts out there. These guys on this forum generally have great advice.
I just have to figure out if my winch will fit...it is a powerplant 12k so it has a small compressor on top of the winch...but from the looks of things there should be room. OP not trying to hijack your thread just throwing the thoughts out there. These guys on this forum generally have great advice.
