Front hitch receiver

[7aawilson]

Question for anyone that has a hitch receiver in the front. I'm looking at getting a winch, would using a hitch be the best way to mount it? Which brand makes the best ones? I don't want to do a full bumper replacement

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

"Best" is highly subjective

It is the best if you plan on removing the winch either for storage or to use on something else.

It can also make it easier to stick on a vehicle.

Depending on how the receiver is it can totally trash your approach angle and makes the winch very easy to steal.

 

[Curious Hound]

I agree with 85. It really depends on your goals and needs. I wouldn't call it best unless portability and flexibility are your primary needs. Will it work? Absolutely. But, see above for pros and cons.

 

[7aawilson]

I agree with 85. It really depends on your goals and needs. I wouldn't call it best unless portability and flexibility are your primary needs. Will it work? Absolutely. But, see above for pros and cons.

I'm mostly looking for somthing subtle, I sometimes do have to maneuver trailers so it would be useful for that, but i don't want to screw up the look of the front, I already have an Aries grille guard up there. I was looking at the curt 31036. Have yall heard any reviews about that? I've heard that they have a fairly subtle look

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm mostly looking for somthing subtle, I sometimes do have to maneuver trailers so it would be useful for that, but i don't want to screw up the look of the front, I already have an Aries grille guard up there. I was looking at the curt 31036. Have yall heard any reviews about that? I've heard that they have a fairly subtle look

That part number doesn't seem to exist on curts website

 

[7aawilson]

That part number doesn't seem to exist on curts website

Not sure why it does that, you have to search specifically for the ranger year for it to come up, mine is an 06. Also, because I have the grille guard, do you think that they can both still mount to the frame

 

[Uncle Gump]

I don't know how your grill guard mounts or experience with that hitch.

It's speedy... but if it fits your needs give it a shot.

Seems someone on here put one of these on... can't remember who though

 

[Uncle Gump]

If you have a welder... and are handy... you could make a mount.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It isn't hard to do, I made one for mine:

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

As with most things, there’s pluses and minuses…

I bought an 8k MileMarker winch a number of years ago and decided that winches aren’t cheap so I’d mobile mount it. I built a mobile mount and my F-150 I built a bumper on the front with an integrated hitch. Stuck the two together and it’s still like that. A mobile mount winch sounds like a great idea, but I’m not convinced it’s the answer for all situations. I’m thinking when I overhaul my F-150, it’s getting a fixed front winch and a front hitch. I’ve found both to be rather handy but taking a mobile mount on and off is annoying.

That said, my green Ranger is getting a front hitch because I don’t want a fixed winch since it’s not being built as an off-road truck or a work rig. I’m building my own hitch and bumper. Separate pieces. Hitch will go through where the factory bumper would be open (98-00 style bumper) between the tow hooks and I’ve “windowed” the bumper I’m building around that area. So neat and tidy yet leaves me options. Nobody makes a hitch that fits like that, but I have a welder and I’m not scared.

I’m also going to say that the 8k winch I have is less than ideal. Especially on my F-150. A 12k would be lots better and something with synthetic line would help reduce weight (steel cable is heavy and more dangerous). I’d really like a 14k for on my F-350, but it may get a 12k. I’ll probably put synthetic line on my 8k and use that as my mobile mount for on the Ranger when I need it and put 12k on the Choptop, F-150 and F-350 in fixed mounts.