mounting a winch with stock bumper

[95XLT]

I've been looking around and I have yet to see any Rangers resembling my 95 that have kept the stock front bumper and mounted a winch still. I was just wondering if anyone has seen it and could give me some tips. My truck is still pretty mild and I want to keep it looking that way, I'm not a fan of all these expensive winch bumpers for sale and I don't like the look of a tube bumbper nor do I have the facilities to make a custom tube bumper. I just want the security of a winch for when i go offroad without changing the whole look of my truck.

 

[Dishtowel]

With some patience, some imagination, and a welder anything is possible man!
I havn't done what you are talking about, but I have some input. Build a winch mount that you can bolt your front bumper too. Kind of like a layered thing?
The innermost layer is the winch mount, built from plate and square tube steel. I'm envisioning a main plate to bolt the winch on, two perpendicular plates to bolt the the frame rails, and 1 or 2 pieces of tubing on the back/bottom for strength during angle pulls. Four tabs welded on the front to reattach your bumper?
Then you could bolt on your winch, then decide on a suitable way to bolt your bumper to the winch mount, then fasten your fairlead on the outside of your bumper. The challenge would be keeping everything tight and collected so your bumper doesn't end up hanging way out in front.

I kept the "wings" of my stock bumper and fasted them to my winch mount, but I bend the 'wings' quite easily, and I knew I would when I attached them. I just needed something to protect the lights and whatnot from smaller trees. I am going to reinforce them this winter with 2"x2"x1/4" hitch receiver tubing and then bolt the original bumper wings to the 2x2 tubing, (i plan to drill out the 4 holes and use about 1/2" bolts(?) perhaps carriage bolts, try and make it look badass) because trying to weld the front bumper was miserable, it was like trying to weld tinfoil. The rear is much more substantial.

Have a look here.

 

[soylent_green]

A front mounted reciever would probably be more like what you're looking for. Get a winch mount plate for it. That way you can remove it when you don't need it, or move it to the rear, or even a friends' truck.

http://www.reese-hitches.com/products/65017

 

[metalmacguyver]

there are some trucks that have them kind of hidden behind the bumper. there is very little that appears different. i am not sure how exactly its done but i am sure that some one will post pics of what i mean. i like the look of it too. it draws less attention to the truck.

 

[baadboy11]

Someon on here has a winch mounted up in the grill in a cutout, i think they have a custom bumper too, but it could possibly work with stock...anyone know who this could be???

 

[firefighter525]

Check out this thread.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4983&highlight=Winch+mount

 

[metalmacguyver]

Check out this thread.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4983&highlight=Winch+mount

thats what i was thinking of. post number 9. a hideaway set up.

 

[95XLT]

Thanks guys, those are some great tips, I really like the set up Brendank69 has on the link you guys left. Sorry it took so long but things have been crazy here, theres a big push on here and were in class till 2300 everyday. thanks again.