Is this dumb or.....

Wanted to put a front hitch on my tacoma 97 for I can mount a winch mount to put a winch, but I dont want to mess with approach angle and I also dont want a heavy bumper, I want a flush front hitch mount that I can still use stock bumper but not protrude out the bumper, ik seems like a lot, which is why im asking if its pointless to put a winch in the rear? I already have a reciever in the rear, I dont do anything crazy but like they say “better to have it and not need it, then having to need it and not have it” I will carry this in my bed and only take it out when needed, but I also ask how do I extend the electric cables on the winch to reach my battery? Thx everyone

 

I run a hitch on both front and rear of my Jeep. Both ends have plugs that the winch will connect to for power. You never know if going forward or backward is the best way. I guess this became popular 20 or 30 years ago. One thing to consider is what does the winch weigh, and can you move it by yourself.

 

A single winch mounted in a cradle that attaches to a front and rear receiver sounds like what you need.

 

this is what I did with my TJ, and do with my Taco, via Mobtown hidden front.

The problem will be finding a receiver that is made for the '07 that doesnt come out under the bumper, destroying clearance. Failing that, have one custom fabbed.

 

delete

 

I love your rig!!!

 

The front and rear receivers is a great idea. As far as running cable, buy battery cable from your local auto parts or an online supplier like wirebarn. Figure out what the voltage drop will be and use the appropriate gauge wire accordingly. You can find charts on line for this. Then use Anderson plugs on the winch side and the bumper side. Anderson plugs can be bought from a lot of suppliers, but mouser, or Waytek wire have them if you’re not able to source them locally. I’m sure Amazon has them too.

 

Sort of an aside. When I had my work Tundra I bought a lift that fit into the receiver hitch. After some heart surgery I couldn't lift really heavy stuff like before. Now that the Tundra is gone (I retired) and I own a Taco it was a pretty simple job to move it to the Taco. Wiring simply ran from the battery via a breaker to the rear of the truck. I use Anderson plugs. They handle the current draw (the lift is basically a winch motor) well. The only draw back I've found is that the plastic is on the brittle side. If you drop them on asphalt they will crack and chip.

I have an older style plug on my Jeep that Warn used to, or maybe still does, sell. Those are now over 30 years old and going strong. But, you have to make sure you position the plug up and out of the way from trail damage.

 

You might look at welding cable for the wire. It's flexible and has a nice abrasion resistant insulation.

Hard part is finding a front receiver.

 

Amp’d Up fabrication makes a hidden winch mount

 

Yep, welding cable is the way to go. And a quick google search will garner quite a few front hitches for Tacomas.

One trick we used was to make up the winch leads long enough to reach the rear of the jeep. Then you keep them rolled up under the hood. This also avoided the chance that the leads could get snagged.

I have to admit I hate to go digging out the cable so I just routed mine on top of the frame.

 

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Depends on the year. 01-04, 05+ are easy. 2000 and lower seems to be a challenge.


maybe this one https://www.curtmfg.com/part/31013

 

Ima go to a hitch place, lets see what they can fab for me, Ive never needed a winch but kinda want one for piece of mind as I usually just go solo

 

Nice truck, how much extra weight? I saw theyre located in Idaho, Im in Los Angeles

 

Its not dumb at all, a ton of people from all over the 4x4 realm run hitches up front. Using a hitch winch mount will also give you the ability to mount a winch when you need it and store the winch out of the elements when you don't need it.

 

not mine but I won't guess more that 25lbs for the mount alone. Have a light breakfast and you'll be fine

 

I bought a Warn front hitch reciever should be here on sunday, I went to Harbor Freight and bought a winch carrier mount and a winch, I do mostly overlanding/canping exploring nothing like rock crawling and the winch really is for me ive never needed it, which is why I went with a budget one, should be installed by 8/15

 

get a hidden winch mount...

 

Looking forward to some photos. I'm considering doing the same thing after watching Matt's Off Road Recovery use that setup, I may not need a Warn/Smitty winch for the occasional solo trip and having it stored in the garage definitely works out for the daily driver.

 

I keep the winch in the bed, still havent used it, more of a peace of mind