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I have a 2005 Ex V10 4x4 they I would like to put my Warn M12k winch on. This is my hunting vehicle so I really don’t want to break the bank on a new bumper. I’d like to keep the price under $600 for the winch mount. I honestly don’t like the Warn mount that that hides the winch and pushes the bumper forward but I’m open to basically anything else. There isn’t just a whole lot out there from my hour or two googling on my phone. Just thought I would ask y’all what options were out there.
Thanks in advance!!
I'm going with the Warn semi-hidden. Not crazy about the looks but I found one used for $275. The only other good mount is one of the $$$ full replacement bumpers such as the Ranch Hand Sport.
Your other option is a front receiver but a 12k winch is a little big for that setup.
4 options:
1. Warn bumper underbite.
2. Custom bumper- might find used for your price point
3. Hidden receiver hitch, not great, but how often do you expect to use it?
4. Rear mounted at your hitch.
4 options:
1. Warn bumper underbite.
2. Custom bumper- might find used for your price point
3. Hidden receiver hitch, not great, but how often do you expect to use it?
4. Rear mounted at your hitch.
I doubt there's a front hitch/winch cradle rated for more than a 9500lb winch. That rules out 3 & 4. A 9500 winch and cradle is a very awkward 100 lbs to tote around, the 12k winch is much heavier. The 12k is also a foot forward winch so that rules out the available carriers even if you were comfortable exceeding their rated capacity...
The Warn mount, something custom or a full bumper replacement are your options.
I doubt there's a front hitch/winch cradle rated for more than a 9500lb winch. That rules out 3 & 4. A 9500 winch and cradle is a very awkward 100 lbs to tote around, the 12k winch is much heavier. The 12k is also a foot forward winch so that rules out the available carriers even if you were comfortable exceeding their rated capacity...
The Warn mount, something custom or a full bumper replacement are your options.
Not sure what #1 is.
12k is definitely too big for a carrier set up. I am in no hurry especially since hunting season is all but over for this year. I'll keep my eyes open on Facebook marketplace and see what I can find between now and next season I guess. I just can't bring myself to pay $2k for a bumper when I'd like a little larger tires and lower gears.
Years ago I mounted a front receiver on my F350 crew cab dually 4X4. it bolts to the factory tow loops with the bolt running through the center of each loop. I have mounted several 8k and 12k winches on the front using that receiver. I have never had an issue, not saying that I couldn't pull something apart, but so far every winch mount and winch has held up fine. Weight is an issue when mounting or un-mounting a big winch with cable, and as I got older I started buying winch rope instead of cable due to the weight savings and thus back muscle savings. If you are going to get really gnarly with a winch then a quality winch bumper is the only way to go, but for normal "get unstuck" in my regular used vehicle, my front receiver is a perfect solution for me. I think the brand name was Bodiak.
I honestly don’t feel comfortable putting a 12k winch on a receiver mount.
understand what your saying. I have done it with both my warn and my mile marker 12k winches and have not had an issue yet, but I also have not had to do a near capacity side pull. At most I have scooted the front of my dually sideways in the dirt. Sideways in the mud might be a whole different game. I would expect any failure would be in the winch cradle rather than with the hitch on the truck. On a straight pull I would think the rope would break before any of the metal parts.
I ended up chopping up my bumper to use in the original position with the Warn Semi-Hidden kit. It looks much better this way and saves on the skirting kit!
My rig isn't going to win any beauty contests bit the "underbite" really did look bad! You could do a lot nicer job than I did but my bumper was wrecked when I bought the truck and I got the Warn bracket used without the skirting!
