Hidden front hitch for winch - Custom

Just a quick write up on something I’m working on, a hidden front hitch that’s raised up higher than the purchasable options available out there.

Goal is to keep it as clean looking as possible from the exterior as well as be strong enough for a removable winch!

Parts are just a used hitch from some kind of 1500 truck. Some metal plates that were lying around at a friends as well as his welder. First time welding for me, My friend did most of the welding tho haha

-The hitch when I bought it as well as my cat


-Getting things drilled & mounted up in relative initial positions & then beginnings of welding





-Bumper test fit after, very happy with the look from the exterior, just a bit of cutting of the bottom plastic was needed & wont even see it because the licence plate covers it anyway!



Next up need to get the winch wired & take it out for a test in the mountains!!

 

I like this setup. You're not carrying the weight of the winch on you frontend suspension parts full time. Are you going to just run the winch off some type of Jumper cable clamps directly off the battery? This is something I've always thought about doing. Has this mod cause you to beef up your overall suspension, or just the front. Curios minds want to know. I believe harbor freight sells something just like this.

 

Probably make something similar to this kit, but with a fuse or circuit breaker or something, then I can plug it in when I plan on bringing the winch with me.


As for suspension I have not done anything to the front, so far driving on the road feels the same with just the hitch, I did remove the front metal bar in the bumper so that counteracted the added weight a little bit.
I do plan on getting new shocks/coils in the front at some point, I do have beefier rear leaf springs already tho as I have a tall fibreglass canopy and work tools in the back and the old leafs were unhappy

 

That’s a damn nice kitty.

 

He is haha

 

Your design is better than mine because you have more clearance.

 

Nice work.

 

I like how clean built your truck looks tho! And looks like you use that hitch for a different purpose

 

Update!
Got out Offroad in the snow and found a place I had to actually use the winch once & it worked beautifully.

Also the location of the winch & mount had a very minimal effect, if any on approach angle with a stock bumper, so I am very pleased!

Also

It worked well enough with stock front suspension, doesn’t look to sag much but did just have to be a bit more cautious and aware of those quick succession dips/bumps on the trails as it is a bit easier to bottom out with the stock suspension the extra weight of the winch on the front, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to upgrade if you have decent condition stock suspension, but would be a nice
& I do plan to in the future.


Here are some photos as well