Considering Hidden Winch Mount

Who here has a hidden winch mount? What company did you go with? What winch? How difficult was it to install?

I'm considering one but I'd like to know everyone's thoughts on them. I kinda like the sleek look instead of a huge heavy steel bumper on the front of my truck.

I see Pelfreybilt has one.

Hidden Winch Mount Specialist has one.

Anyone else make something like this?

 

I’ve been debating doing the same. Curious to hear people chime in on this as well.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...postem-if-you-gotem-gathering-insight.535194/

 

Here's what I have:

https://www.usoffroad.us/store/bump...ma-2005-2011/tacoma-05-11-winch-mount-bumper/

They make one for 12-15 too:

https://www.usoffroad.us/store/bump...-2012-2015/tacoma-2012-15-winch-mount-bumper/

 

That looks sweet! Did you buy their entire kit? Or just their bumper winch mount?

 

Just the bumper winch mount. Got it from another TW'er that bought it new, but never installed it then went full bumper.

EDIT// winch is a Smittybilt XRC 9500, same as I run on my XJ. Steel cable on the XJ (for now), synthetic on the Taco.

 

Funny this thread comes up now, I bought a US Off-road for my '15 on Wednesday (New in box, yeah Craigslist!). I'm struggling with the winch decisions now, hope to have one by warm weather for installation along with the bumper.
Winch questions:
Budget or name brand?
Cable or synthetic?
One of my primary concerns is exposure to northeast weather and road salt.

 

@RelentlessFab makes one for the 2012-2015. It's not on their website so you have to PM them for details.

 

I wonder why they don’t have it listed.

 

I get the impression that they (and UsOffroad) may fab them as needed now that the model years are past. I think US off-road said something about extend lead time/out of stock?

 

A lil late to the part but I’ve got the usoffroad bumper with warn m-8000 with amsteel blue synthetic line on. Its a solid setup. I like that its similar to stock to the normal eye but if you pay attention, it just looks nice. No complaints here and its hard to beat the price...

 

This looks awesome.

 

That looks great! I’ve been prepping mine...primer, brushed rustoleum hidden, hammered grey visible surfaces. I ended up going with a Warn VR-8s from the clearance room at a Cabelas. I would have chosen the 10000lb model given the choice but couldn’t pass up the super deal. It just means I’ll have to be intelligent/careful when winching and rigging (and buy a couple snatch blocks). I also have to come up with a method to protect the winch from road salt/etc...maybe a neoprene cover? I’m looking forward to the installation.