What are the best options for a winch without a new bumper?

Just buy a 4 ton (8000 lb) come-along (cable puller) cheap and you can use front or rear and even toward side if on a large cross tilt. Takes a few minutes but works and saves alot of $$ and weight. For example:

 

I went aluminum from Greenlane off-road for the winch mount 42lbs and reinforcing brackets from C4 fabrication. Smittybilt X20 Gen 2 with synthetic. Factor 55 1.5 fairlead.

 

Hidden mount saves weight, offers more protection for the winch, less $$$ so you can buy a better winch. Winch, plate, brush/light bar and lights add about 140lbs total to the nose of the truck. It just depends on what you prefer, your truck, your wallet.

 

Great for you young guys, as a Septuagenarian I work up a sweat hooking up the rope and pushing a button.

 

So a hitch mounted one that you can install "at will" is out.

 

https://www.crossedgefab.com/shop/p...yota-tacoma-4x4-hidden-winch-mount-2019-2023/

 

$900? Geezus!

 

Curt front hitch receiver and a hitch winch plate. Most cost effective way I found to add a winch.
Ran for three years no problem.