How To Install 2010 Ram 1500 hidden winch

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Dingleberry

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It’s doable for sure. I have a custom front receiver on my 2004 ram 1500 with a 12500lb winch. It was nice to have the option to run it in the back, but when you’re stuck it sucks to lug the 100lb winch to the back lol. I found it was a pain to take it on and off and it took up space in the box. (Didn’t fit in my tool box with the receiver mount) also had to lock it up in the box so it wouldn’t go missing. so for the most part it was just left hanging off the front anyway, that’s why I did the hidden winch this time. I also like it being discreet and it’s tucked up high enough that it doesn’t get too dirty.
It would be cool to have a receiver, just curious if you’d have the pin on the outside or have to crawl under to put the hitch pin in? Pin on the outside would probably be 3” of tube sticking out.

Thanks! I hadn't thought about the weight of taking it in and out and the hitch pin could definitely be an issue.

I was just looking at my 2015 Laramie and it looks like my front bumper is a one piece chrome bumper, so I'd probably have to cut something out behind the license plate. I still really like the idea, but it's looking to be a bit more difficult.
 
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I was just looking at my 2015 Laramie and it looks like my front bumper is a one piece chrome bumper, so I'd probably have to cut something out behind the license plate. I still really like the idea, but it's looking to be a bit more difficult.
Yea, that’s how it was for my 2015 bighorn. I’ll try to wash it and take some more pics when I can
 

Dantheman

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Has anyone considered making a slight modification and instead of sticking a rope out the front, sticking a 2" receiver?

I really like the idea of having a winch, and could have definitely used it in the past, but I'm not too keen on having a nice winch mounted 24/7 and the associated 60-90 extra pounds hanging off the front.

I'd rather run some heavy gauge wire and just pop in the winch on a receiver plate when needed. This would also give me the flexibility to run it off the back should I need to. Lastly, I can store it high and dry in my bed's tool box when not needed and thus not exposing it to the daily nasty.

I've see some front hitches, but they're all disgusting... hanging out from under the bumper and thus restricting ground clearance and just looking awful.

I imagine this wouldn't be to terribly difficult as you could just line up the tray with the opening and telescope some 2" out.

Thoughts?

They actually make a front mount hitch receiver for the 4th gen rams. It does not come out of the slot of the bumper but it does hang below the air dam and is fairly unobtrusive. That would probably be your best bet, and they are fairly reasonable in price.
 

PacNWChief

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I studied all the custom hidden mounts and I like what Northernbighorn did. I didn't copy it exactly due to material availability so there's some differences. I bolted a 12K winch to the Badlands universal winch mount. The mount is heavily modified to fit vertical between the two frame rails and tow hooks. There's a lot of cutting and drilling on the mount. Only two holes get drilled into the truck frame.The other important part to fabricate is the 6" fairlead standoffs that pass through the opening in the bumper. I pulled my truck across the yard a few times and it worked great. Let me know if it's worth posting more pictures of the build and install.

IMG_20190506_175230.jpg

IMG_20190505_154056.jpg

IMG_20190503_114320.jpg
 

Dannyn_01

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resurrecting an old thread... I have a brand new SmittyBilt winch that I was gonna use for another project and never ended up using it.

is anyone still selling the mounts? would love to rock a winch on my truck lol
 

daveray9

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I studied all the custom hidden mounts and I like what Northernbighorn did. I didn't copy it exactly due to material availability so there's some differences. I bolted a 12K winch to the Badlands universal winch mount. The mount is heavily modified to fit vertical between the two frame rails and tow hooks. There's a lot of cutting and drilling on the mount. Only two holes get drilled into the truck frame.The other important part to fabricate is the 6" fairlead standoffs that pass through the opening in the bumper. I pulled my truck across the yard a few times and it worked great. Let me know if it's worth posting more pictures of the build and install.

View attachment 165277

View attachment 165278

View attachment 165279
Damn this is amazing. Wish they sold these, I couldnt fab one myself.

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Andrew Dick

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This looks great my only concern would be the stress on those extensions if there is any side load. Other than that this is a great example of ingenuity!


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J-POP

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I have a front mount hitch already, i am planning on mounting a winch to a plate and then using u bolts mounting the plate to the 9k rated hitch tubing, anyone this this won't work?
 

Dantheman

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I have a front mount hitch already, i am planning on mounting a winch to a plate and then using u bolts mounting the plate to the 9k rated hitch tubing, anyone this this won't work?

If you already have a hitch up front, why not just get a cradle with the appropriate adaptor? Harbor freight even has one. Not sure what you’re planning using u bolts for?

fa78011380e447b11a76f095fecf5996.jpg


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J-POP

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If you already have a hitch up front, why not just get a cradle with the appropriate adaptor? Harbor freight even has one. Not sure what you’re planning using u bolts for?

fa78011380e447b11a76f095fecf5996.jpg





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I have a winch on a hitch plate, i want to permanently install a winch, because i already have a front mounted hitch in the area I'm pretty sure i can just mount the winch to the tubing using a plate and axel u bolts, wondering if anyone has done this yet
 

misfit77

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Need to keep this thread alive.

I am going the way of Northernbighorn. Hitting the scrapyard today.
Also scouring the internet for a 40" winch plate. ViceDesign winch plate will work but they don't sell just the plate online.

I have an Express and I am using the bumper slot for a light bar.
I plan on cutting the inlet on top, that means I have to deal with a crossmember bumper.
Just curious if anyone has done this on an Express or Sport.
 

misfit77

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OK, did some measurements on my 2014 Express yesterday.
A major hurdle is the cross member/bumber

There is very little info on the web of whats under the bumper cover on an Express. I can't speak for sports. I assume they are the same.

Bumpr cover removed.
L_jbFDfb_st_6vGgZyptUJmwc=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg

Bumper absorber removed, showing the crossmember.

IbQz2dFB04H3kAt6EwJQsOq4Q=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg




Cross member is about 3.96" My only option is to go thru the cross member. I plan on channeling it with 3"x8" steel tubing.I could probably leave a big gaping hole. But unfortunately there will be a load on the cross member if I do angled winching I might end up tearing the rope on sharp edges. The cross member do fine. I will try to beef up the fair lead mount.

KAsWu0uai-Bf1Db3KnRYhupT8=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg

The inner lines are there to show that the fair lead mount that I have will be centered if I rest it on the cross member during installation..what luck.

3XkU8omih2HEJO9y1fy2d4h_I=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg


I will need to get that fair lead mount out to the bumper cover so I can mount the fair lead. This is about where it needs to be 6.5" from the winch plate. I will be adding some reinforcement. That stuff I can figure out at install.

ISnsitsR2B-VQK2xei7S0Dcqo=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg

Next hurdle. I am not sure if a 3" opening in the bumper will do.
As long as I can get the winch centered well and I don't go at extreme angles. The rope shouldn't change much based on spool. Assuming a synthetic rope is 3/8" round, which it aint, 4 layers of rope is only 1.5 or .75" in either direction.

Also winch drums are almost 9" wide. My bumper hole will be less than 8". So I have to worry about that.
Do guys think I could do a hawse fair lead on the other side or maybe protrude the 3x8 channel and hammer the sides out so that there's smooth corners?

Here is something I drew up. Need to figure out the "area of concern"

dans winch.jpg

Last but not least. The coolant bottle. It drops about as low and the front bumper mounts.
Ek9YZofRc2u3-LCLTjksXB3qw=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg

I really had my heart set on the HF Apex 12000 winch, but may not have room. It is loaded with options and plenty strong. Seeing I have a gift card to Amazon, I might go with a Smittybuilt 10k winch or so. It will be smaller and 30llbs lighter. I am getting old and I am not as strong as I used to be.

EODDAVE, what kind of clearance did you have on your coolant bottle?
Forum, what would you do about that inner channel area?


For now project is on hold till I can find a good plate. I already tried 3 scrap yards. A quote for new 40" of structural steel was $83. As opposed to 35cents a pound at scrap yard.
 
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misfit77

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Progress report.
5b68fddf889ee73cd3040448539dcfb2.jpg

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Dantheman

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OK, did some measurements on my 2014 Express yesterday.
A major hurdle is the cross member/bumber

There is very little info on the web of whats under the bumper cover on an Express. I can't speak for sports. I assume they are the same.

Bumpr cover removed.
L_jbFDfb_st_6vGgZyptUJmwc=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg

Bumper absorber removed, showing the crossmember.

IbQz2dFB04H3kAt6EwJQsOq4Q=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg




Cross member is about 3.96" My only option is to go thru the cross member. I plan on channeling it with 3"x8" steel tubing.I could probably leave a big gaping hole. But unfortunately there will be a load on the cross member if I do angled winching I might end up tearing the rope on sharp edges. The cross member do fine. I will try to beef up the fair lead mount.

KAsWu0uai-Bf1Db3KnRYhupT8=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg

The inner lines are there to show that the fair lead mount that I have will be centered if I rest it on the cross member during installation..what luck.

3XkU8omih2HEJO9y1fy2d4h_I=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg


I will need to get that fair lead mount out to the bumper cover so I can mount the fair lead. This is about where it needs to be 6.5" from the winch plate. I will be adding some reinforcement. That stuff I can figure out at install.

ISnsitsR2B-VQK2xei7S0Dcqo=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg

Next hurdle. I am not sure if a 3" opening in the bumper will do.
As long as I can get the winch centered well and I don't go at extreme angles. The rope shouldn't change much based on spool. Assuming a synthetic rope is 3/8" round, which it aint, 4 layers of rope is only 1.5 or .75" in either direction.

Also winch drums are almost 9" wide. My bumper hole will be less than 8". So I have to worry about that.
Do guys think I could do a hawse fair lead on the other side or maybe protrude the 3x8 channel and hammer the sides out so that there's smooth corners?

Here is something I drew up. Need to figure out the "area of concern"

View attachment 211659

Last but not least. The coolant bottle. It drops about as low and the front bumper mounts.
Ek9YZofRc2u3-LCLTjksXB3qw=w1223-h917-no?authuser=0.jpg

I really had my heart set on the HF Apex 12000 winch, but may not have room. It is loaded with options and plenty strong. Seeing I have a gift card to Amazon, I might go with a Smittybuilt 10k winch or so. It will be smaller and 30llbs lighter. I am getting old and I am not as strong as I used to be.

EODDAVE, what kind of clearance did you have on your coolant bottle?
Forum, what would you do about that inner channel area?


For now project is on hold till I can find a good plate. I already tried 3 scrap yards. A quote for new 40" of structural steel was $83. As opposed to 35cents a pound at scrap yard.
I know this isn't the route I went but I am confused as to what you are trying to accomplish with the cross member. Is this a necessary piece on the express? It has been a while since I have completed mine and don't remember everything as fresh. If you are set on having it centered within that cross member, I would personally completely remove it and remake something in its place. It seems like a lot more work that it is worth. Or just completely cut the middle third section of the cross member out and weld onto it. Maybe I am misunderstanding.
 

misfit77

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I know this isn't the route I went but I am confused as to what you are trying to accomplish with the cross member. Is this a necessary piece on the express? It has been a while since I have completed mine and don't remember everything as fresh. If you are set on having it centered within that cross member, I would personally completely remove it and remake something in its place. It seems like a lot more work that it is worth. Or just completely cut the middle third section of the cross member out and weld onto it. Maybe I am misunderstanding.
The cross member is integral. It holds the bumper pad. The bumper pad holds the fog lights and bumper cover.

I am going all through this to keep my light bar. It's a lot of work, but it's what I do.

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