Outfit for off roading... Winches and accessories

I'm wanting to get a winch for my Gen 3. I've seen videos on YouTube of guys hiding them under their grill. I want to see y'alls winches (hidden or not), and tell why you chose the one you did. I'm thinking I want at least 9K lbs. What you got? Thanks!

 

I mounted mine on a 2” receiver post. This provides three functional benefits:
1) I can use it front or rear whenever I need. (I have a front receiver)
2) I can store it out of weather and sight which keeps out salt and grime.
3) I can use it for other problems around the property and at the waterfront.

 

Did you add the front receiver? Did the skid plate underneath get in the way? I do like the idea of having it mountable in front or back. Which brand did you get?

 

Following, I’m looking to do the same thing.

 

It’s a Curt front receiver. It fits around pro plate. I may have trimmed it. I welded two additional receivers so I have off center rig points. Warn.

 

NICE! Looks good. I love the personalized plate too.

 

Nice! Do you just run the winch cables to the battery when needed or do you have some kind of harness for the rear hitch mounting?

 

Yes at current I just use alligator clips to the battery. Very simple and convenient. I have the skills to wire a front and back harness but the ROI does not work out as I also don’t get stuck a lot and then you have to maintain the terminals. Frankly I’ve put it on my wife’s cars a few times when she’s taken the grocery getter into the snow banks and have lent the rig out. It’s a little heavy but when your already in a tough spot that’s not an issue. Sorry no pics it’s on my boat trailer at the moment.

 

How long are the alligator cables on typical winches? Do they reach to the rear or do you have to use jumper cables to reach that far?

 

I wired 24’ of 2 awg to the junction box. I also have broad battery terminals to give more purchase for the clamps. I can’t recall what if any it came with. Zeon 10 with steel cable.

 

Also prevents draining battery from permanent install.

 

Having a receiver mounted winch is great. There are a lot of situations where it would be good to be able to pull back after getting stuck, for example if you’re going down a steep hill and are caught on a rock and are unable to go forward and the only ways backwards but if the hill is slippery you are SOL. The Curt receiver fits with my Mobtown armor (they both use different mounting points). I used a 1 gauge jumper cable though for running a winch in back, the amp rating of my winch was too high for a 16-foot run. I also highly recommend getting a good fuse with amperage suitability high enough for the winch, and a kill switch to turn the power off in the cable if you do a permanent cable install (Blue Seas sells both of them). I recently sold it all though for a 4-ton Griphoist and Pull-Pal anchor (I am in the desert and tree anchors do not exist here). I saw one used to flip a truck back on its wheels, and also to peel the roof open on a car during a emergency auto extrication training class with the FD and finally got one. It can manually pull from any position on a truck and is portable (heavy though) for use anywhere, whereas a mounted winch is very limited, and a receiver mounted winch is better, but its limited as to winching angles (You have to pull pretty much straight back from the cradle and can’t angle it very much).

 

Good looking truck, but I especially love the license plate! Star Trek fan? Work in technology? Just a good personalized plate that was still available?

 

All above!

 

My man! #TechBros4Lyfe

 

I like it!

 

back in 2016 I purchased a Warn Zeon 10S and its now on it third vehicle, my 2020 Tacoma. Over the years it has been used many times and twice this year. They say Warns are expensive and they last, but I found mine on sale and since it will be going on its 6 year of use, I think it was worth it.
Its mounted to a Victory 4x4 Blitz bumper https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT3FB.html

 

Stegodon 9,500 pounds. So far, I've only had to pull other people out so for 400 bucks and free shipping I figured why not. Besides the extra 50 pounds helped smooth out the ride. The bumper and winch added 148 pounds and with the 650 pound springs the set up works well.

 

I like the idea of havin the ability to use the winch goin into or havin the option for gettin out of it backwards. I think I have seen that there are a couple different companies that make the front receiver for the truck.
But that front set up Capt Bart 45 has looks good.
Did not think about needin the heavier suspension up front, good idea

 

Body Armor hi line bumper and Warn Evo 10s