Ever since one particular snow run with my friend, I've wanted a multi mount winch. However, I knew the drawbacks too...I didn't want it sticking out too far. So I came up with a way to tuck the winch in as close as a normal winch bumper but yet still able to move it to the rear hitch. By the way, this is the first time any of us bent any tube. The bends came out surprisingly well.



I got hitch material (sort of) and welded it to the winch mounting plate then fabbed a cradle to wrap around the mount. The winch mount sits in the cradle with 2 hitch pins securing it to the rest of the truck.


The winch slips in from the top.


Here's the finished product


To move it to the back I use 2x2 tube and slide it into the winch bracket.




And then just plug it into the hitch receiver in the rear.






I still need to get the wire and wire it all up.

Here are more pictures of the build up: http://www.robinhood4x4.com/gallery2/Front%20bumper/
This is best viewed with IE so you can see the thumbnails.

Ummm... Wow <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
That's pegging the cool meter in my opinion.
Now I gotta go back and rethink my winch bumper again <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

x2

Practicality and execution is awesome!

Very Cool! doesn't look removable, but is. clever

very nice design...

one criticism. You're only using 6 points to mount the bumper, and 4 of them are on the outside of the body mount (if I see clearly). I'd consider useing additional mounts on the front cross member to help reduce the stress on the body mounts.

Too Cool!!!! Only problem is you just gave away a million dollar idea.

This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for. Where do I place my order? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Good idea!

Thanks everyone. If I were to do it over again, I would make the winch load from the front instead of through the top. Less lifting that way.

Brian, you're the second person to comment about the bolts, I need to get a picture from the front. There are actually 8 bolts holding it on, with the option of a 9th. There are 4 in tension and 4 in shear and the front captured nuts have been reinforced with a 1/4" plate like the front range plate.

On a side note, it's fricken tough to find metric graded bolts around here. I had to special order from Fastenal and they only had those allen head bolts.

I also need to figure out a way to lock it down, not sure if the standard lockable hitch pins are long enough.

Very cool! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />