Need a Winch

skallywag · September 14, 2016

Hey guys. Lurked through every post for winches on this dang forum. Saw a nice Chevy job but my truck is a bit different. Going to pull the front bumper soon and see if I can fab a tray up and a skid plate but hardly any room.

Any of you gotten a winch on your 2015 GMC 1500. Either hidden or on an aftermarket bumper. Wish SCA would fix the design of their bumper to accept a bigger winch than that little warn they offer for 1700+. Not gong that route. Any input would also help!

Meethead · September 14, 2016

I was thinking about trying to make this one work on my 2016. I want it to be hidden and not be on some cheese aftermarket bumper.

http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-hidden-winch-mounting-plate-1080.html

sdeeter19555 · September 14, 2016

I got an aftermarket winch platform...Westin maybe? Have a 12k warn mounted.

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SASKMUDDER · September 14, 2016

I installed a Westin winch mount and a Smittybuilt 10k winch on my 2014 1500.

TxDoc · September 14, 2016

I have a Westin winch mount/brush guard and a WARN Zeon 10S.

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TxDoc · September 14, 2016

Meant to add, a company called Factor 55 have some neat heavy duty products. I bought one of their Ultra Hooks that allows you to use a 3/4" pin shackle to attach to the hook our if you use the hook, you can lock the safety gqasp with a self-contained pin

They sell, but BubbaRope.com makes a Gator Jaw soft shackle that only weighs like seven ounces, but has a failure of like 32,0000 pounds, and won't fly like a metal shacklehttp://www.bubbarope.com/gator-jaw-soft-shackleSentfrom my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Edited September 14, 2016 by TxDoc

skallywag · September 14, 2016

Doesn't that bother you being stuck out and really not protected at all? I go though lots of brush and ditches plus have run ins with hogs and deer sometimes. I just hate that company's now days don't build decent HD replacement bumpers for our trucks. All the hippie cowboy trucks on the road now days with light bars and fancy wheels.

bronco2977 · September 14, 2016

I'm also interested in adding a winch, preferably a hidden mount. I contacted Rough Country to see if they were coming out with one for 2014 and up models, their response was, "not at this time." Right now I'm leaning toward the Westin unless some company comes out with a hidden mount or the one Rough Country has for 2007-2013 will fit with a little work.

sdeeter19555 · September 14, 2016

Nah, the Westin winch cradle is tough, mounted to the frame in multiple points...the most that might happen is the control box get crunched from a deer impact. I wasn't impressed with the limited guard options, so I built one to withstand a decent impact...

Getting the front dinged slightly isn't as much of a concern as getting home afterwards is to me...

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skallywag · September 14, 2016

I think it will fit the frame no problem. I doubt it's been changed in years. But the problem lies in the new front bumpers on the gmc 1500. No hole to pass a wire rope or synthetic rope through. And attach a fair lead. I'm thinking I might be able to make my own plate then get an aluminum plate and break it at the angle I need to keep it stream lined off the frame horns and bumper mounting area. Then make that my skid plate and cover the winch underneath at the same time. This retaining tow hooks, factory look, strength, protection and a winch added to the arsenal! Iron cross quoted me 1300 for a full guard bumper winch ready that replaces factory chrome bumper and plastic filler but that in coated. I'd get it bedlined.

skallywag · September 14, 2016

Nah, the Westin winch cradle is tough, mounted to the frame in multiple points...the most that might happen is the control box get crunched from a deer impact. I wasn't impressed with the limited guard options, so I built one to withstand a decent impact...

Getting the front dinged slightly isn't as much of a concern as getting home afterwards is to me...

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I'm not overly worried about the scuff and dents in the front as I am the radiator and all that. I like a replacement for small animals like a Prius, civic that decides to jump out into the highway!

No seriously. It's a stout design you ran with. And I don't question the strength of the mounting. Weston is reputable. Honestly I think it just looks, half assed. Like they looked at it and said lets just add 2 feet on the front and be done with it.

sdeeter19555 · September 14, 2016

With all the coolers and whatnot behind the bumper, and the fact that you really need at least a 10k winch for a 2500, not really much in the way of options, at least four years ago. I didn't want a full bumper replacement, so that limited me to cradles.

The one thing with the Westin mount I will note, if you add their tow loops (an option for their cradle); they may interfere with your winch of choice. I had to modify the passenger side one to clear the Warn VR12000 I chose...

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Silvern Sentry · September 14, 2016

I was thinking about trying to make this one work on my 2016. I want it to be hidden and not be on some cheese aftermarket bumper.

http://www.roughcountry.com/gm-hidden-winch-mounting-plate-1080.html

erm Rough Country is the cheapest aftermarket products hands down. I would not put anything with a RC label even 10 feet near my 50,000 truck, ick!

skallywag · September 14, 2016

erm Rough Country is the cheapest aftermarket products hands down. I would not put anything with a RC label even 10 feet near my 50,000 truck, ick!

Thanks for the helpful and well thought out response. FYI ive had a Rough Country 2.5" level on my truck now for 30,000 hard miles. I'm not easy on my stuff. No issues. Been buried up to the rockers in sticky mud. Been bounced on mountains and front wheels off the ground on gravel roads from being wash boarded so bad. Not 1 loose bolt, broken part, worn or torn cv boot, no u joint issues, no broken kit pieces.... Take it elsewhere man.

Silvern Sentry · September 14, 2016

Thanks for the helpful and well thought out response. FYI ive had a Rough Country 2.5" level on my truck now for 30,000 hard miles. I'm not easy on my stuff. No issues. Been buried up to the rockers in sticky mud. Been bounced on mountains and front wheels off the ground on gravel roads from being wash boarded so bad. Not 1 loose bolt, broken part, worn or torn cv boot, no u joint issues, no broken kit pieces.... Take it elsewhere man.

Good for you for running a cheap lift kit that adds 0 functionality and removes your payload capability. The reason you did all that was GM not RC *facepalm*.

As they say you get what you pay for and that goes doubly true for a lift. Anyone running a RC lift get laughed at where I am from, saying Rough Country is any good is kind of like saying a Honda Ridgeline counts as a truck. It is the cheapest stuff around.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Alpine Truck Life