as it says. how can i mount a winch on the front of my truck, i have no aftermarket bumper - nor any $$ to get one. i also have a brush guard.

looking at the bottom part of the plastic bumper. what do i need to do to make a mounting plate that will work?


and no, i don;t want a front hitch reciever , permanent front mount only.

thanks!

To make it work, steel, welder, and time essentially.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

If I were you I would look at some of the tube Jeep bumpers that the rock crawling guys are using most are light weight and have winch mounts that will give you a idea of what you can design for your Rodeo

Long ago before I got crazy wirh my Rodeo I made a reciever hitch for the front of my truck. Them used a winch mounted on a reciever tube. Even wired the back bumper to power it from either end.
Might try that!

Only hassle was having to carry the winch in the back of the truck.

I'm not sure if I have any pictures of it mounted on the Rodeo. If I can find some I'll post them up.

Curtis

I did that on the Amigo. Since I store it in the rear cargo area, when winching other people I use it from the back whenever possible. I've used it up front when winching myself out (I typically lead the trails; so no one up ahead to save me). Like Curtis said, its got some weight to it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> I'm sure I could get by with it just mounted in the front; but its been nice on several occasions to have the flexibility.

well, i actually want to put two winches, front and rear...

i have a line on an older ugly warn for the rear, tuck it up under the truck.

get a nicer looking one for the front. iu like Bansils idea, i'm going to go withthat i think, just have to figure out how to work with my smittybuilt brush guard... io don;t want to wreck it.

The Rodeo's plastic bumper presets a whole set of problems if you want a winch behind the stock bumper. Just find yourself a rear Rodeo reciever hitch from the junk yard for the Rodeo and modify it for the front. Mine was really not that hard to make fit up front. If you have a brush gaurd on the front the winch it will look more at home. (EDIT NOTE: I just read where you already have a Smitty Built Brush Gaurd so your good there.) But your approach angle will suffer. So remember, if you are going to crawl straight up put the winch inside first. I don't remember ever taking mine off to go up an obstacle when the winch was on the reciever hitch. I did have to remove it to put my tow bar on to flat tow it though. A set of quick dissconnects for the electrics is a must.


Something the Troopers Guys may want to know.

I figured out how to put an 8,000 lb. winch behind the 1st Gen Troopers stock bumper without too much fuss. I don't have any pictures of it right now but if there is an interest I'll take some and post up a few.
It is covered by the stock 1 Gen bumper with the fairlead hole cut through it. It ties into the front frame.
Just something I did for Melissas Trooper. The front valance did need some massaging for it to fit though!
But, it lools good and is well hidden. And the controls are still accessable.


Curtis

wow you guys really push the front hitch thing.
i do not want a front hitch.

i want a permanent mounted front winch , and will add a second on the rear when it comes around.

not interested in switching a winch front to back...

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Curtis, definetely post up some pics when you get a chance. Start a thread specifically for that, so it can be found with the SEARCH.