bed mounted winch

[frumpy]

Anyone here mount a winch in the bed of there truck? I'm thinking about doing this, just looking for some options. (I also don't run a tailgate so that helps keep it out of the way)

 

[baca327]

I read an article where someone did it on an OBS K1500 and I didnt work out like he planned so he ended up mounting it where the stock spare tire went under the bed.

 

[frumpy]

I thought about that but the only thing I don't like is its hard to disengage the winch for freespooling if its under there (not to mention harder to keep clean and free of gunk)

 

[baca327]

What I think they did which is even less appealing is they cut a hole in the bed for access and mounted the mounting plate from underneath the frame rails. Matter of fact they had to mount the winch from the top and yea the free spool lock was very hard to get to if I recall. And another thing I remembered was that they mounted the winch originally in the bed further towards the cab and cut a hole in the tailgate and mounted a fairlead on the tailgate so I can see how that would be a problem and since your not running a tailgate and if you mounted as far back on the vehicle as you could it would probably work out for you.

FOUND IT!!
http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=409559

 

[Desolation]

The winch must be solidly mounted to the frame rails. It the winch has a capacity of much over I would say 1000-Pounds it will rip the bed apart unless there has been a whole bunch of thought and steel added to the bed structure. The larger the winch the faster it will happen.

The winch should be mounted at the rear bumper or the cable guide/Fairlead must be at the rear edge of the bed. While we all pull straight back every time all it would take is having that cable under a load and something slip and that cable could easily cut right through the bed side.

For a permanent mount it is really not that hard to put it behind the bumper and under the bed. That is exactly where mine is going. For a temp mount just use the receiver hitch and built one in to the bed for transport.

 

[frumpy]

I thought it was kind of a given that by bed mount I meant in the bed but tied into the frame rails). I was thinking having it right at the back of the bed would eliminate any issues of hitting the sides (although that could be solved with a fair lead at the back). The main reason I was thinking in bed is to keep it out of the way but still accessible.

 

[Desolation]

I thought it was kind of a given that by bed mount I meant in the bed but tied into the frame rails). I was thinking having it right at the back of the bed would eliminate any issues of hitting the sides (although that could be solved with a fair lead at the back). The main reason I was thinking in bed is to keep it out of the way but still accessible.

Perhaps I'm a lil'slow...

I would set the winch through the floor into a fabricated box, bolted to the frame rails. However, because I use the bed and a winch in the bed, or one accessed that way would be a PITA, I am simply going to build mine into the rear bumper under the bed and shield it with a piece of conveyor belt material I have.

 

[frumpy]

I think I may just go with a hitch mounted winch. The only thing is I don't like how far it sticks out front/behind the vehicle depending where it is. I could always build something to store it on that is just bolted to the bed and then install it when needed. Kind of a pain though.

I really need to invest in a welder.

 

[Desolation]

Making the winch removable has advantages and disadvantages.
Installing it in a receiver tube is good unless you want to tow or are towing when you need the winch.
To address that problem I have built the receiver hitch mount so that there are two tubes stacked. The winch mount is built so that it will clear the hitch and thus can be used without completely disconnecting the trailer. I also build a hitch into the rear of the trailer though I have only ever needed that once I sure was handy to toss a tree strap around one and pull the trailer back up to where it needed to go.

 

[frumpy]

Good point, but being that its a regular cab and has a bed I doubt I will be pulling a trailer offroad. Good idea to keep in mind though if I ever do go the offroad trailer route. I already have a 10,000lbs hitch on the rear and think I can pick up a front receiver for about $250, not sure how great it will fit with the stock bumper though.

 

[UrbanCummin]

Little bit late but this is the set up I had on a old dodge of mine.

 

[92 red cummins]

what size winch is that on front? BTW thats an awesome dodge (I have one like it.)

 

[78Bronco]

I'm going to mount mine on the frame rails mid ship in my old bronco powered with hydraulics. It's a PTO winch and rather large. The free spool leaver can easily be linked to a lever next to the shifter or flip open the access panel to shift. The cable will run down a guide block system that is radius'd and lined with abrasion resistant plastic. Then it will be pulled to either the front or rear of the truck where a fairlead is attached at each bumper. Most often the hook will be left up front but if I need to change it then pull a couple pins and reroute to back. The point I'm trying to make is that the cable doesn't have to run straight forward or back from the winch. It can run down first and around a guide block then run horizontal to the front or back.

Seems logical in my brain

 

[baca327]

Remember the more the deflection the less torque your winch will have.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I have my 2500 lb winch mounted on a 2" hitch stock and can move it from trailer to jeep, or any 2" hitch receiver

Look closely and it's mounted on the back of the trailer, with the black canvas covering

It's a remote operated winch and obviously not big enough for vehicle recovery, but works well for most other applications !!

:Wow1::Wow1: JIMBO