New Guy here with a fullsize..

[poriggity]

I got a nice Bulldog winch for the truck for christmas.. now I am looking for mounting options... Considering a few things. One is a front hitch with multi mount, second is spending $$$ on a new front bumper... Not a whole lot of mounting options for the 2500 diesel truck without replacing the front bumper.
Scott

 

[redthies]

I think front hitches and multi mounts are a good set up. The ability to pull yourself out either forward or back is a handy thing. I was going to build a vertical receiver in the box of my truck to carry the winch when not in use. It will stay out of both the grime, and sight. Use a locking receiver pin and you are good to go. I would also think you might even use the front hitch for moving a trailer now and then...

 

[poriggity]

There used to be a company that made a front receiver that mounted to the where the factory tow hooks are, placing the receiver higher on the bumper.. But I can't seem to find them anymore. If I do the front receiver, the only ones I can find come out just below the front bumper.. Seems like it will still be a decent setup, although it might take away from my approach angle a bit... Here is the combo I'm currently looking at...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-2008-D...535433&po=LVI&ps=63&clkid=5178279798448180378

 

[DoMiNiC1]

Have you looked around to see how much it would be to have a basic set up fabricated by a local shop. I am in phoenix (4.3 million people) and there are tons of these types of shops. They make rock guards, light bars, bumpers, tires swing arms, roof racks, etc. Just a thought.

 

[poriggity]

Dominic,
That is something I considered... It doesn't look like a difficult job.. All it should take is some flat plate, a length of 2x2" tube, and a receiver tube... I think I will check into that and see if I have a fab shop in the area willing to build something like that for me.

 

[bob91yj]

I'm not a fan of the multi mount for one reason. Winch pulls are rarely a straight pull. Pulling a 9000 pound truck out of a jam with all of the side load being on a 2" reciever hitch just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I understand that countless people have them and have used them with success, just throwing my $.02 in the hat.

Having said that, all I have is a hand winch or a Hi Lift to get my junk unstuck...my best bet is probably to hope that someone with a winch on a multi mount should happen by to unstuck me!:costumed-smiley-007

How you been Scott? Some of the old Dehesa crew will be at Ocotillo Wells this weekend if you're looking for something to do.

 

[poriggity]

Bob,
Been doing great buddy.. Got a new job recently. I might end up having to work this weekend... I may come find you though if I am not working.. What will you be in? Towing the jeep out with the truck?

I feel you about the multimount thing.. I am having thoughts about it.. I am seriously considering having someone fab something up for me.. But I'm not sure what to do aside from an entirely new bumper...

 

[bob91yj]

There will be a bunch of us out there, Brad, MattO and a few others that you may know. We usually camp between Ranger Station Rd and Main St, closer to Ranger Station Rd though. I'll have the LJ and my truck this trip.

 

[poriggity]

So after doing a lot of looking, I've really only found a few different options... Number one, and the one I am leaning toward is a front receiver hitch and multimount, mostly because I could utilize the front hitch for a lot of different things. I am also looking at a Mile Marker grille guard/winch mount setup. For just the grille guard portion, it's around $300... But that means I can't have a multi purpose front hitch. The last and least likely option is an entire new front winch mount bumper.. Cost is kinda keeping this outta the loop, unless I can find a used one somewhere... Thoughts? I know some people don't like multimounts, but I am curious to hear what people's opinions are on these options.
Scott

 

[poriggity]

Ok.. Update.. I am seriously considering the Milemarker Extreme Mount Winch Guard setup as a winch mounting option. I think the grille guard would look good, and I can get it on ebay for just as much as a front hitch/multimount setup... Any thoughts on this item? Here is a pic of it...

 

[locrwln]

Years ago (like almost 20) my buddy had the warn version on two different Pathfinders and they worked very well. We put the 9k winch to work on several occasions, even on side pulls and he never had a problem. When we moved it to the second pathfinder, everything still lined up perfectly.

Jack

 

[redthies]

A friend of mine also had the Warn version of the "brush guard" winch mount on his diesel F250. It worked just fine, but I don't think that option is going to be any stronger than a multi mount / front hitch mount. They look to mount in similar fashion, aside from the two tabs that you drill and bolt thrrough the factory bumper. My main objection, and reason for the "quotes" on brush guard, is, if you hit anything larger than "brush", you are going to bend those side bars into your fenders and/or hood. This is why they are referred to as "damage multipliers". Food for thought...

 

[Buliwyf]

If all you want is the use of a front reciever, then just use a standard Warn Transformer, not the multi mount, and have a 2" reciever welded onto the bottom. If I recall correctly, the Transformer has an extra reciever mount option?

I'm sure the multimount is fine as long as you're smart about it. But I want my winch in close and as tight as possible with the least amount of bending leverage possible.

I might decide to add the Warn Transformer to my truck with just the center section, and maybe a cross bar in that center section for a pair of Lightforce lights. Now If I could just make up my mind between the Warn XD9000 (just right size) and the Warn M15000, way overkill.

 

[poriggity]

A friend of mine also had the Warn version of the "brush guard" winch mount on his diesel F250. It worked just fine, but I don't think that option is going to be any stronger than a multi mount / front hitch mount. They look to mount in similar fashion, aside from the two tabs that you drill and bolt thrrough the factory bumper. My main objection, and reason for the "quotes" on brush guard, is, if you hit anything larger than "brush", you are going to bend those side bars into your fenders and/or hood. This is why they are referred to as "damage multipliers". Food for thought...

I do know that the grill guards will cause more damage in the event of hitting something major. The headlights guards are seperate from the winch mount center part. I was considering just using the center grille guard part, and not the headlights guard portion..


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[poriggity]

Just a small update.. I finally pulled the trigger on a set of camper tie downs, so that I can use my 11' slide in camper on trips that are not too remote. I can't wait to get them installed, and pick up the camper I have from it's storage location, to clean it up. It's been in storage for about 7 years, so it will need some work to be liveable again...
Scott