1997 Ranger Hidden Winch Plate

[ekhunter]

I’ve done a lot of searching and can’t seem to find anyone who makes or has fabbed up a winch mount that hides the winch within the factory bumper. Has anyone heard of anyone doing this, some drawings or even pics would be nice. If not then I am going to go ahead and go from scratch and build something up…I kind of like the way the front end looks and don’t want the big steel winch bumper messing it up!!!

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

I like your post.
And I agree I like the look of most factory bumpers.
And there's a lot of non-factor bumpers that I do not like the look of.

 

[sgtsandman]

I’ve done a lot of searching and can’t seem to find anyone who makes or has fabbed up a winch mount that hides the winch within the factory bumper. Has anyone heard of anyone doing this, some drawings or even pics would be nice. If not then I am going to go ahead and go from scratch and build something up…I kind of like the way the front end looks and don’t want the big steel winch bumper messing it up!!!

I don't recall seeing anything like you are looking for made for a Ranger. It's probably going to be something you have made or make yourself.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So I’m gonna move this to where it belongs…

And yeah, gonna have to be something you fabricate yourself. I’ve gone to building my own custom bumpers lately.

 

[Shran]

I don't remember seeing anything like this that you could buy off the shelf. Space is pretty tight under there - I'm not sure if some winches would even fit without lowering the mount down below the bumper (defeats the purpose.)

Front mount receiver hitch might be a good alternative, you could mount a winch to a receiver cradle and just remove it from the truck until you think you might need it.

 

[ekhunter]

Thanks for the replies, I am gonna finish up the 4.56 gear swap/repair and then I’ll look at how I can build something. I’ll post some pics as I get it underway.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I believe @Lefty stuck a small winch behind his bumper. I'm pretty sure it would be under sized for for an off road rig. I think it might be a bit newer also.

 

[Shran]

Having needed to use a winch a lot over the years I think an 8000lb model is the minimum anyone should run for a Ranger size rig so that is what my size & space thoughts were going off of. A 5000lb winch might fit better, an ATV winch would for sure fit...but why undersize something like that... especially with the tiny cable those come with.

That said I wheeled with a guy who had a Nissan brand ATV winch on a Jeep and he got hung up pretty hard on some rocks, and it actually pulled him through the obstacle. I was expecting the line to break or the winch to come apart, or the whole mount to rip off as it was all pretty janky. Still, why take that risk.

 

[SenorNoob]

Just gonna say that if you're looking for ground clearance then the off-the-shelf hitch isn't the best idea. I bought one. It sits down WAY too low. I'm planning to replace hitches on both ends with a bumper with receiver built in eventually.

 

[Lefty]

I believe @Lefty stuck a small winch behind his bumper. I'm pretty sure it would be under sized for for an off road rig. I think it might be a bit newer also.

Yes, I put a four point five ton winch behind my front bumper. I would not recommend it for off road, but it works well when pulling in straight lines and on a flat paved street. The same principle might work for something bigger, but there is just not enough room down there.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yes, I put a four point five ton winch behind my front bumper. I would not recommend it for off road, but it works well when pulling in straight lines and on a flat paved street. The same principle might work for something bigger, but there is just not enough room down there.

You mean 4,500#, correct? 4.5 ton would be 9,000#…

 

[Lefty]

Yes, correct. A little winch is good on city streets and tight places. You can go slow and see what you are doing. It's not going to pull a Humvee out of the mud.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yes, correct. A little winch is good on city streets and tight places. You can go slow and see what you are doing. It's not going to pull a Humvee out of the mud.View attachment 133848

Well, with enough winch extensions and snatch blocks/winch rings it would be possible to winch something super heavy and stuck, but I get it. For what you do with it, it works great.

 

[ekhunter]

Thanks for all of the info. I got the regear done, so now I am running with a rebuilt posi trac rear(4.56) and locked (Lockrite) 4.56 front. I did some quick maintenance on the trans(oil, filter, and band adjustment) and ran it for a few hundred kilometers in the bush on an elk hunt towing a 12 foot enclosed trailer with all my gear and a quad in it.

While I was out doing this my winch I ordered came in and I am starting to look at ways to install with Factory bumper still in place. I ordered a 6500lb UTV winch and some snatch blocks, this should get me out of most spots I may get into...I hope. I also run tire chains when the shit is about to hit the fan, typically try to install them BEFORE I actually need them but sometimes ya just don't know what ya don't know.

 

[SenorNoob]

IDK for sure about 97, but on my 88 I bought a Reese 37042. It comes with multiple attachment options. It ended up being bolted on exactly the same as my rear though. Had I known that I would've just went to the junkyard and removed a rear hitch. It does stick down lower than I would have liked.

If the 97 is the same, a hidden hitch from the rear would work out nicely. Might even put the hole right in the existing opening.

I just looked there are hitches specifically for the front of a 97. Then get a cradle and have fun.