Winch with stock bumper?

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I dig that, it looks really clean, until you hit a rock. Probably just made a bracket off the frame and cut a square hole in the bottom of the bumper.
 
IMO, if you need a winch, you need an aftermarket bumper. Especially for the stuff that guy is doing.
 
I didn't watch the video long enough to get a good look at the bumper (That musak version of WTTJ was horrible!)

It is a nice clean look though. He would of had to made a plate across the frame and bolted the winch to it, then put the OE bumper over it.

Have you taken the front bumper off your 4Runner? It weights like 5 pounds. Its pretty much just for decoration!
 
My buddy did this, its actually pretty simple.

You can buy a winch plate, or winch mount from several online dealers. I believe Outdoor logic sells one for instance.

Weld it to something that will fit on the end of the frame and either weld or bolt it on.

Cut out the lower valance, or whatever gets in the way, and you're done.
 
whoa buddy! baja, do you think you could get some pictures? This is now a must for me. I think the winch and the bumper trimmed at and angle like that is a great look.
 
I just wanted to bring this to the top to get other people's input. I've been researching and I've got an idea of how to do it. Just wanted to see what other people think. Any idea's??
 
Don't believe I have a close up pic of my old runner, But i left stock bumper,took a tow package bracket (thing that mounts to rear frame) and cut down.Welded to front frame so that a 2x2 receiver mount was there.Then made a portable mount for my winch.Ran wires to front with a clip and to rear with a clip.That way i could use winch at either location.This way you could take off and look factory if u wanted.
 
I thought about doing that. I saw a post on yotatech where a guy did a crossmember and brackets on a Tacoma. I copied his idea and did some measurements, even drew it up in CAD. But, it looked like the winch would have to sit pretty low and would probably get caught on things (i.e., lose a lot of approach angle). If I remember right, the bottom of the winch would have to sit level with (or just under) the bottom of the frame rails to clear the bumper, and stick out pretty far. With my ARB bumper, the winch is about 4-6" higher than that.
 
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Since Builditbreakit brought up the receiver idea I thought I'd chime in.

A friend made this for me.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UXxq0_Uoxk1gz_dF8IeQltMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fnSDi53cEKE/T4utIPkNThI/AAAAAAAAHD8/v_3fO7DSYM8/s144/IMG-20110922-00023.jpg" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/larsen.jon/4RunnerBuild?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">4Runner Build</a></td></tr></table>

Which resulted in this.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nYZFzmNS4IEih9S4pXFr3tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lw4mIEJEHm4/T4utJRheOkI/AAAAAAAAHEc/kwWJz4_gC9A/s144/IMG-20110930-00047.jpg" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/larsen.jon/4RunnerBuild?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">4Runner Build</a></td></tr></table>

Just one small square notch was cut out of my valence for the end of the receiver. I know it isn't the prettiest setup and my approach angle is compromised (being able to quickly remove the winch cures that), but it's really functional (I can move it to the back or to another rig). I know you'd like yours integrated and it certainly looks better to do so, but I'm just throwing out another idea.
 
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jdlarsen said:
Just one small square notch was cut out of my valence for the end of the receiver. I know it isn't the prettiest setup and my approach angle is compromised (being able to quickly remove the winch cures that), but it's really functional (I can move it to the back or to another rig). I know you'd like yours integrated and it certainly looks better to do so, but I'm just throwing out another idea.
Click to expand...

It isn't a problem until you don't have it on and are in a precarious situation where you can't even get it on because your whole front end is sitting stuck somewhere.
 
tbst said:
It isn't a problem until you don't have it on and are in a precarious situation where you can't even get it on because your whole front end is sitting stuck somewhere.
Click to expand...

You have to run your cables to the rear so you can pull yourself out using the rear receiver as well. Definitely pros and cons going this route.
 
Hey thanks for the responses guys! I'm, thinking about getting a universal winch plate and welding the brackets in or even making brackets and sandwiching them in between the frame rails and bumper brackets. Which i know will push the bumper out. I dont really want to go the receiver hitch route. But i do want the winch tucked up as far into the license plate area. Not worried about not being able to get too it because i dont mud like that! All i do in class is sit and day dream about this hahaha!
 
I think there are a few hitch makers that make front mounted hitches for the tacomas. Curt for example. They fit on the 4runner, too. I think with light modification. Thats how one of the guys on yotatech did his. (I think he had a tacoma though--if that helps you search it out)
 
tbst said:
It isn't a problem until you don't have it on and are in a precarious situation where you can't even get it on because your whole front end is sitting stuck somewhere.
Click to expand...

I've thought about that, but I never take it off...so it's there when I get stuck. I would remove it if I found a situation where it might be necessary, but it really hasn't effected me to just leave it up front.
 
cj80cruiser said:
You have to run your cables to the rear so you can pull yourself out using the rear receiver as well. Definitely pros and cons going this route.
Click to expand...

I have a quick-connect mounted under the bumper for connecting the winch up front. But for the back (and for sharing the winch with another rig) I actually have a 20' set of jumper cables with the clamps still on one end and a winch quick-connect on the other. I could have put quick connects on both ends of that cable, but then it would have been restricted to just my rig (or anyone else who wanted to purchase their own quick connects). Bonus: With the clamps still on one end, I can jump start another vehicle by connecting the quick-connect end to my front connection (don't have to open my own hood that way) and the clamps to the other rig's battery.
 
So I am very interested in where you are with your winch setup? I am with you about keeping the stock bumper and trying to put the winch on, not only to save money but to save weight. My friend had his setup and all the extra weight from the mods made his MPGs go into the toilet. I do like the setup in the vid that was posted earlier in the thread. Looks nice and clean, which is the look I am after.
 
raven1911 said:
So I am very interested in where you are with your winch setup? I am with you about keeping the stock bumper and trying to put the winch on, not only to save money but to save weight. My friend had his setup and all the extra weight from the mods made his MPGs go into the toilet. I do like the setup in the vid that was posted earlier in the thread. Looks nice and clean, which is the look I am after.
Click to expand...

what were his 'new' MPGs?
 
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