Tossing the idea of getting a winch, but how to mount it, to make it really useful? A 2" receiver in the bed, of course! A class 3 hitch (what I have in the rear), is rated to 5k, and I'm looking to go at least 9k of winch... not good enough.
I'm thinking pull the bed, install (3) 2 1/2x2 1/2 angles, with cleats welded on so this setup can be bolted in to the frame rails (which also makes a few nice new crossmembers). Drill appropriate holes to match the angle under the bed, and install a 1/4 or 3/8 plate inside the bed with a number of 1/2" gr8 bolts.
The plate would have a 2 1/2x1/4" square tube, set to the right height (to match the winch's receiver mount, for a straight pull), gusseted to hell and back. Also, the right height so that the whole she-bang slides right in and sits on the bed's plate, so the forces that be cannot pull it down.
Because the winch still uses a receiver mount, it can be thrown right into my bumper, or my hitch on the rear (for whatever reason). But also, because the bed's plate is bolted in, it can (relatively) easily be removed to carry large cargo.
Just toying with the idea for now, but I really do want to get a winch running. One major reason for the bed mount idea, is that I do understand a winch will sag the front end a hell of a lot, and likely kill gas mileage just the same. A bed mount would really just make the truck 150?lbs heavier... Right over the axle if possible. For when I don't plan to go offroad for a while, I can unbolt the whole thing and forget about it. Was also thinking of when it's all setup and ready to rock, weld the nuts onto the angle so it'll only take 1 person to install/remove without dropping nuts all over the place.
I'm thinking pull the bed, install (3) 2 1/2x2 1/2 angles, with cleats welded on so this setup can be bolted in to the frame rails (which also makes a few nice new crossmembers). Drill appropriate holes to match the angle under the bed, and install a 1/4 or 3/8 plate inside the bed with a number of 1/2" gr8 bolts.
The plate would have a 2 1/2x1/4" square tube, set to the right height (to match the winch's receiver mount, for a straight pull), gusseted to hell and back. Also, the right height so that the whole she-bang slides right in and sits on the bed's plate, so the forces that be cannot pull it down.
Because the winch still uses a receiver mount, it can be thrown right into my bumper, or my hitch on the rear (for whatever reason). But also, because the bed's plate is bolted in, it can (relatively) easily be removed to carry large cargo.
Just toying with the idea for now, but I really do want to get a winch running. One major reason for the bed mount idea, is that I do understand a winch will sag the front end a hell of a lot, and likely kill gas mileage just the same. A bed mount would really just make the truck 150?lbs heavier... Right over the axle if possible. For when I don't plan to go offroad for a while, I can unbolt the whole thing and forget about it. Was also thinking of when it's all setup and ready to rock, weld the nuts onto the angle so it'll only take 1 person to install/remove without dropping nuts all over the place.