DIY hidden winch mount ideas

[Jstawgn]

Looking to install 10K winch in a hidden winch mount behind OEM bumper.
Anybody willing to share their build pictures and notes.

I seen BudBuild hidden winch mount and it seems easy enough to duplicate. SSO hidden winch mount seems to be the obvious easy choice. I already have WARN universal winch plate from previous project, so its no cost to me.

My initial measurement indicate some potential issue with the winch bolt. The 10x4.5 winch bolt pattern might fall right above the OEM bumper beam.

My initial plan:

1. Chop the front side of the channel mount to be able to move the failed support right behind the bumper.
2. Chop winch channel back side a bit to be able to clear the power steering / AC lines
3. Weld the plate to the OEM bumper beam.
4. Gusset the channel to the OEM bumper beam
5. Maybe add some metal strap to some other bolt holes on the FRAME.
6. Use Allen head bolt to mount the winch to the channel.

 

[Jstawgn]

Finally got this this thing done.
Overall it's a pain in a butt because I did not realize the front frame horn are too weak to be used for winch without reinforcement.

Don't want to buy off the shelf solution since all seems to impact the bumper beam crush zone too much. Mine is unproven also so I would not claim it's safer but I really try to preserve the crush zone of the frame

Winch Control Box

• Jstawgn
• Jul 22, 2018

Easily accessible by lifting the hood.

Fairlead reinforrcent

• Jstawgn
• Jul 22, 2018

Two piece 1.5x1.5x1.5" square tubing 1.5" up front below fairlead bracket.

Behind bumper bar...

1.5x1.5 square tubing welded vertically below fairlead bracket.
There are also three piece of 4" long 2x2 square tubing welded vertically behind the bumper bar to help box the structure.

Bumper beam crush tube reinforcement

• Jstawgn
• Jul 22, 2018

1.5x1.5 angle iron welded to cradle bumper beam crush tube.

1.5x1.5x0.25 angle welded to one piece "U" to sandwich the bumper crush tube. The idea is to let this tube to still crush in the event of accident but reinforce it for winch pull.

Frame horn reinforcement

• Jstawgn
• Jul 22, 2018

Made from 5x3x.25 angle iron. 7" long. Bolted at two more additional place with M12 1.25 grade...

7" long of 5x3x0.25 angle iron.

Front cut bumper showing the fairlead

• Jstawgn
• Jul 22, 2018

 

[ArBrnSnpr]

A+ for effort. Definitely interested to see how it holds up to some pulls.

Nice work

 

[JLee]

After building one at a friend's shop, I would spend the few hundred bucks and buy SSO's mount. @Jstawgn is correct - the front frame horns are too weak on their own. If you just weld a Harbor Freight winch plate to the top of the crash bar and then load test it, you'll pull the crash bar off of the frame horns.

 

[Jstawgn]

I have to fully weld part #25 & #26 to #23 since they are only being held using 4 small bolts.


This video where I learn the front frame horn are really weak. Which bring another concern that we need 150 series style recovery point instead of 120 series.

 

[slowLC]

Which front mount is that^^

 

[Jstawgn]

Tow Points GX460
So far that is the only one I found in US. I heard Kyle Foggle/Treaty Oak Off Road is going to make one also but could not find it at his site.

The only issues is the 120 not not have welded nuts in the main frame rail section.

 

[James C]

Woah. Not good! I didn’t realize that was such a week spot in the frame. A couple of questions / thoughts:

1) I never thought about this when I installed TT front tow points but now I realize there’s definitely torque there from pulling out of line from the frame.

2) would this be less of an issue for aftermarket bumpers where the force is more aligned with the frame and the bolted mounts?

3) i have a 15’ tree strap that doubles as a bridle with the hope that it lessens the load on a single tow point (perfect equalization being impossible of course). Was the frame in the video pulled from one point?

4) would gusseting the frame in that corner be beneficial?

 

[Jstawgn]

Woah. Not good! I didn’t realize that was such a week spot in the frame. A couple of questions / thoughts:

1) I never thought about this when I installed TT front tow points but now I realize there’s definitely torque there from pulling out of line from the frame.

There is definitely a bending force pulling from that recovery point.

2) would this be less of an issue for aftermarket bumpers where the force is more aligned with the frame and the bolted mounts?

Some hybrid bumper like Lil B fab and Pelfreybilt seems to offer more direct recovery point. The kinetic rope are developed because of all this issue.

3) i have a 15’ tree strap that doubles as a bridle with the hope that it lessens the load on a single tow point (perfect equalization being impossible of course). Was the frame in the video pulled from one point?

I have no clue on the actually recovery in that video. The frame is newer 06 style that already have better reinforcement than my 05. From the sticker it might be Toyota press vehicle and have been abused. Most likely it's only from one side pull. Use load equalizing briddle like you mention and it would help a bunch.

4) would gusseting the frame in that corner be beneficial?

I think if we could use 150 style recovery point it would be much easier and accomplish the same goal.

 

[bravoleader]

Now I could be looking at this incorrectly, but I am fairly certain that my front recovery points are bolted not to the frame horns, but to a lower extension of the frame itself.

Here are two pictures of my front recovery points, and a picture of the GX470 frame. Specifically look at part 51021B which appears to be where the original tie downs were that I cut off to install the recovery points.

GX470 front recovery

• bravoleader
• Jul 25, 2018

GX470 front recovery

• bravoleader
• Jul 25, 2018

gx470 frame

• bravoleader
• Jul 25, 2018

 

[James C]

Yeah that’s where mine are, and that’s where the stock points are that the car in the video was supposedly pulled from. The 150 tow point has that extra arm that extends up and back to the main frame.

If there’s access space on the inside of the main frame where the 150 tow point attaches, we could at least bolt through the frame there.

Or I guess I could pony up for a new bumper...

 

[Jstawgn]

Broken frame piece

• Jstawgn
• Jul 25, 2018

Screen grab from https://youtu.be/0MmrLWgM-2U

We don't know how they did the recovery. They might use wrong strap and that might not be the first pull like that. I think for wincing it's definitely enough with just a little reinforcement. Use load equalizing bridle and kinetic strap and we should. Be fine

 

[Jstawgn]

Or I guess I could pony up for a new bumper...

Nothing wrong with that logic. On the other hand there are a lot of video that show the bullbar got ripped out because they use it as anchor during recovery.

 

[subspd]

Great info in this thread. Never would have thought that the stock tow points would be this weak. Especially with sand recovery I am worried about getting extracted now...

 

[Kelevra]

After building one at a friend's shop, I would spend the few hundred bucks and buy SSO's mount. @Jstawgn is correct - the front frame horns are too weak on their own. If you just weld a Harbor Freight winch plate to the top of the crash bar and then load test it, you'll pull the crash bar off of the frame horns.

Except SSO response times made me pass on giving them ANY business.

 

[James C]

[gusset] I think if we could use 150 style recovery point it would be much easier and accomplish the same goal.

Yeah that's true, but I already have the 120 tow points and the gussets would stay when we upgrade to a steel bumper. Something in this space:

gusset?

• James C
• Jul 26, 2018

Not a ton of room because of the sway bar, but it would be something. I don't think it would get in the way of any aftermarket goodies, but if anyone knows otherwise do tell.

 

[Jstawgn]

If you have access to a welder that is actually really good idea.

Maybe this piece from rufstuff specialties will work. Mini Out Rigger 2"x 2.38" with Dimple Die - Pair

 

[Webguy]

After building one at a friend's shop, I would spend the few hundred bucks and buy SSO's mount. @Jstawgn is correct - the front frame horns are too weak on their own. If you just weld a Harbor Freight winch plate to the top of the crash bar and then load test it, you'll pull the crash bar off of the frame horns.

Is SSO even offering it anymore? I can't find it on their website. I don't see it on the TTO site anymore either and I though @Kyle Fogle offered it as one of the SSO products.

 

[Kelevra]

Is SSO even offering it anymore? I can't find it on their website. I don't see it on the TTO site anymore either and I though @Kyle Fogle offered it as one of the SSO products.

My opinion, SSO is very slow to respond. There are other companies out there, I would consider elsewhere. I think it is discontinued by SSO.

 

[Webguy]

My opinion, SSO is very slow to respond. There are other companies out there, I would consider elsewhere. I think it is discontinued by SSO.

Sounds like you had a bad experience with them. That wasn't my experience when I ordered from them last month. And while you suggest considering elsewhere, I am not sure there is anyone else making a hidden winch set up that was as high a quality based on what I have read.