That's a really good idea.

I considered the same thing, but my bumper is layed out differently than yours. If you look at the bottom in the center of the bumper, it has a knockout for the fairlead. The bumper is not flat in the front but sticks out more at the top so I am unable to flat mount it to the inside of the bumper like you did. With the winch plate though, I will be able to bolt it directly to the front of the bumper in the front with the fairlead as as well as the mounting holes in the bumper bracket.

My bumper is a 2 Piece assembly, 1/4" frame for the winch mounts and what bolts to the actual truck, and the bumper itself is all 3/16. What I'm doing actually utilizes the 1/4" thick bumper frame.

I'm going to install it and wire it up the normal way, and worry about spending the money on an inside cab control setup later. I realized the uwharrie trip is coming up and I'm only a driver's CV, front driveshaft, and LSD rear install from being done with my drivetrain on the truck. Wallet is getting light though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />