Budbuilt Hidden Winch Plate

I didn't post on this earlier because mine was the original prototype and attaches completely different then what is being sold now and wouldn't have helped. On mine,I had to drill holes vertically thru the bumper using 12" long 7/16"dia. drill bits stepping up from 3/16" dia bits in increments for the bolt holes.Bolts up thru the aluminum bumper in 4 places plus bolts up thru to the winch.

Bud and I both felt this drilling is outside the realm of the typical shadetree mechanic as I had a extensive sheet metal background and it wasn't easy, even for me.This extruded aluminum bumper is pretty hard to drill and keep a straight hole thru something that thick.Thus he came up with the U bolts.

Mind you ,that it still bolts to the end of the frame besides the aluminum bumper to get it's real strength just like all the aftermarket bumpers.

As far as the "what ifs"
I've been driving 30+ years and never rear ended or had a head on collision yet .I'm old school and kind of like to pay attention when driving,so stuff like that doesn't happen! Knock on wood!
If I did though ,they would be in a world of hurt as it's 1/4" thick plate steel attached to the bumper and the frame so if I hit hard enough to bend that,the radiator(easily replaceable) would be the least of my problems. I would be worried about the frame being bent first as that is what it's attached to.......same as any aftermarket bumper/winch set up is.

Speaking of what if's... I think the zombie apocalypse may have started........Naked Man Shot by Miami Police After Eating Other Man's Face - Miami News - Riptide 2.0
 
Stifler said:
what rating or those damn ubolts?:lol: that winch is gonna rip right off first pull
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Ahh.....The winch is bolted to the plate which is bolted to the frame down in behind it also.
I guess you didn't read the post and just looked at the pictures.
 
Installation of Master Pull Amsteel winchline with the winch stop shackle is now complete.

Pictures of the entire BB winch plate and Warn VR10,000 install are in the link below.

I like the wireless winch remote. :cheers:
 
Hidden Winch Mount Options

I was looking at going the BB option but decided to work with a company called UndercoverHWMS, they have built hidden winch mount systems for Fj's and tacoma's for a while and I heard some great things about them. The did some mockups over the last few months and I got it installed last night.

The install process was pretty easy, the concept is awesome looks very strong and reliable!

According the the guys they will be for sale in the next week on their website. Sorry for the crappy pictures, I plan on taking some better one soon.

1.jpg


2.jpg


3.jpg


4.jpg
 
lookingatlife said:
I was looking at going the BB option but decided to work with a company called UndercoverHWMS, they have built hidden winch mount systems for Fj's and tacoma's for a while and I heard some great things about them. The did some mockups over the last few months and I got it installed last night.

The install process was pretty easy, the concept is awesome looks very strong and reliable!

According the the guys they will be for sale in the next week on their website. Sorry for the crappy pictures, I plan on taking some better one soon.
Click to expand...

You should probably start a new thread since the topic of this one is"Budbuilt Hidden Winch Plate"

Looks like they do nice work.Why didn't they put it up higher like they did on the Taco on their website? Where it's at you lose some PRECIOUS approach angle. My bumper on the bottom has scrapes ,gouges and scratches all over right where this would be.
 
harper7 said:
You should probably start a new thread since the topic of this one is"Budbuilt Hidden Winch Plate"

Looks like they do nice work.Why didn't they put it up higher like they did on the Taco on their website? Where it's at you lose some PRECIOUS approach angle. My bumper on the bottom has scrapes ,gouges and scratches all over right where this would be.
Click to expand...

You have to learn to do a bit more web wheeling...like me!

Keeps the truck looking better longer.......:hatsoff:

I think you're right though...a new thread is in order to keep this one for BudBuilt
 
It looks good, but does it really replace the stock aluminum bumper that is (im guessing here) approx 5 ft long with a winch plate that is like 3ft maybe,and leave you with no real bumper protection outside of the frame dimension?

Choices are good. Information on the product is good too. I had to purchase the bb plate on faith.... I still think its silly to spend time and effort on engineering only to fall down regarding installation instructions and marketing. Hopefully the pictures help others decide and maybe further improve the products via feedback.

Overall, right now i think the smart choices are schrockworks for a full bumper conversion and bb plate for stock / sleeper look.

I am happy w the bb plate and all the other products too. Only thing id change is to probably get full tread plate on the sliders.

My final project for this winch plate is to add a steel extension so i can mount an offroad flag. That,and take some pictures of the finalized install.
 
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Is anyone running lights on the new version of the mount that has the holes for them? Not sure which model lights are compatible.
 
mrvandelay said:
Bump. Anyone added lights?
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Not trying to hijack mrvandelay's question, but since he bumped the thread I thought I would throw my own question out there.

For those who have done this install, how are you gaining access to the free spool lever on your winch, if at all? I'll be pulling the trigger on a winch install as soon as Rigid releases their new light grills (I only want to pull the front end off once) and this is my only remaining question about the install.
 
mrvandelay said:
Is anyone running lights on the new version of the mount that has the holes for them? Not sure which model lights are compatible.
Click to expand...

Bumping this thread again for the same purpose as George...err, Mr. VanDelay:

Has anyone mounted lights on the Bud Built Hidden Winch Plate (vUPDATED)? If so:
1. What lights are you running (and which fit)?
2. Where do the lights actually emerge from (do the line up in the top mesh grill or next to the winch in the lower grill opening)?
 
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Older style plate so no light holes. I'm waiting to see if maybe the new Rigid Grill can be used with a winch. Of course nobody is answering that question, yet. By removing the OEM lower grill its easy enough to reach the free spool lever. IF the new grill works you would need to reach down from the engine bay after removing the cover. At that time I'm thinking about some sort of hingey thing so only some of the fasteners would need to be removed to access it.

Harper has pics of cutting the grill and installing lights with some simple brackets.

BBWinchInstalled3.jpg~original


BBWinchInstalled1.jpg~original


Factor55Prolink.jpg~original
 
I have not added lights yet. However, I think I'll go with 4" PIAA 510 yellow fog lights eventually. I have gone through some rainy / foggy conditions when they would have helped. For driving or offroad lights I think something behind the upper grill or maybe up on the roof will be good eventual options.

PIAA 5161 - Ion Yellow Fog Light PIAA 510 Ion Yellow Fog Light Kit - Off-Road Lights

I placed a powder gatorade container in the area that is about the same size as the light to test fit and it should fit in the opening on either side of my fairlead.

It will likely require figuring something different out for my off road flag mount. http://rhino4runnersuspension.shutterfly.com/pictures/2260

It will probably also make it more difficult to reach in and move the winch clutch lever. Currently I just reach in the lower grill and don't have to remove the big plastic cover.

I COULD mount some big honk'in lights on the brackets I have extending from the BB tray for the flag mount, but don't think I want to.
 
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phillyd2 said:
Older style plate so no light holes. I'm waiting to see if maybe the new Rigid Grill can be used with a winch. Of course nobody is answering that question, yet. By removing the OEM lower grill its easy enough to reach the free spool lever. IF the new grill works you would need to reach down from the engine bay after removing the cover. At that time I'm thinking about some sort of hingey thing so only some of the fasteners would need to be removed to access it.

Harper has pics of cutting the grill and installing lights with some simple brackets.
Click to expand...

Is that a painted TE conversion I see on your front end? Looks real rugged yet classy, must flow with the rest of the limited trim very well :)
 
I just went and looked at it again because I was thinking it would be tight.

The gatorade containers were the closest size object I could find last time I looked at this a month or so ago, but were a little on the small size and I didn't know the dimension of the mount.

Based on the mfg measurements from the link above I just fabbed up a cardboard and duct tape representation. It looks like it will fit, but be tight.

Pictures here: http://rhino4runnersuspension.shutterfly.com/pictures/2260
 
I quickly test fitted 4" PIAA lights in the same location and they seemed just a hair too big. But the fogs linked above did not have the black plastic cover so that may be the difference.
 
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