Jump to content

2016-2018 Hidden Winch Factory Bumper

Will O'Daniel
 Share

Recommended Posts

Will O'Daniel Enthusiast

Will O'Daniel

Posted
Posted (edited)

Well, here is mine. No one makes a bracket for a hidden winch because of the tow hook bolt placements on the frame. All brackets and plates were made of 1/4 inch steel. I did have to drill one hole in the frame and run a 4 inch bolt through the passenger side frame, rear hole of the tow hook for the bracket bolts. I also had to cut off the lower front bumper brackets. The winch was to wide to sit between them so they had to go. The last major mod was the lower facia being cut. The fairlead sits right below the metal of the bumper and I cut out the plastic of course. I also cut the plastic to fit a receiver and we welded a small piece of angled steel to the bottom of the winch plate and used the original screws and retainer nuts for the facia bracket. Last, Oregon requires a front license plate. So I used 1-1/4 conduit holders, drilled holes in the license plate and original plate bracket, and it just simply snaps onto the fairlead. Completely hidden. Winch is a Badlands ZXR 12,000 with wireless remote. I am unable to use the spool lock, so no free spool for me on this setup unfortunately. I also ran quick connects 1/0 AWG wire to both front and rear of the truck. I will also be doing a hidden winch on the rear factory bumper of the truck in the coming weeks.

7C6EF1A0-1C10-4276-A583-D2E35CE416C0.jpeg

75D29BF6-CA1B-47E3-8C8E-04A5776741D9.jpeg

4BDA3C16-62EC-46CE-B904-E824846D0952.jpeg

Edited by Will O'Daniel
  • Like 6
  • Replies 75
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

Will O'Daniel
Will O'Daniel

Well, here is mine. No one makes a bracket for a hidden winch because of the tow hook bolt placements on the frame. All brackets and plates were made of 1/4 inch steel. I did have to drill one hole in

Will O'Daniel
Will O'Daniel

Final glamour shot!

Will O'Daniel
Will O'Daniel

Rear winch done. I welded these brackets and plates onto the hitch receiver. 

Posted Images

Will O'Daniel Enthusiast

Will O'Daniel

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Driver side brackets. Notice the drop 1-1/2 so the plate can sit on the bracket and also give the clearance I want with the fairlead.

88A40A49-A181-4CE9-B10D-6B359073D572.jpeg

BAC8B786-C4F2-4FF1-9158-081FA9B34BFA.jpeg

  • Like 1
Will O'Daniel Enthusiast

Will O'Daniel

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Passenger side bracket. Mirrors the other bracket. Notice the odd bolt and nut. This is where I had to bore out the tow hook and drill the frame. 

FE63482C-72B0-47DB-BCE6-FE838F3B1923.jpeg

156670DE-1955-44E5-A732-BA683977D65E.jpeg

  • Like 1
Will O'Daniel Enthusiast

Will O'Daniel

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Winch plate and fascia bracket. Just drilled holes for the plate to mount to the bracket and welded a piece of angle iron to the receiver and used the factory bracket mount holes and screws for the facia.

DA1A6C33-1CC9-40CD-8D3F-2707AA546A08.jpeg

7A22FD73-88EA-4236-B304-76326AFA7EF0.jpeg

Edited by Will O'Daniel
  • Like 1
Will O'Daniel Enthusiast

Will O'Daniel

Posted
  • Author
Posted
11 minutes ago, silveradonationfan15 said:

Would you have either picture of your truck side on? this truck looks amazing! What size of lift are you using?

I used a Fabtech 6” lift. She sits on 35x13.5 tires on 20” Fuel Beast rims. 

A4123AC3-AD01-4AD6-9E0D-74DFCD665788.jpeg

  • Like 1
gixxerk8 Enthusiast

gixxerk8

Posted
Posted

Do you do this kind of work for a living or a hobby.  If a living, I would be interested in talking to you about doing another one.  I'm in Southern Oregon. 

  • Like 1
Will O'Daniel Enthusiast

Will O'Daniel

Posted
  • Author
Posted
15 minutes ago, gixxerk8 said:

Do you do this kind of work for a living or a hobby.  If a living, I would be interested in talking to you about doing another one.  I'm in Southern Oregon. 

It’s a hobby. My cousin does this for a living. He lives in Powell Butte, Oregon. He is the one that helped me with the install on this. I had a vision, designed and fabed the brackets, and he helped do the fit and install. You can PM me and I can see what you want to do.

Will O'Daniel Enthusiast

Will O'Daniel

Posted
  • Author
Posted
18 minutes ago, Penguin VII said:

That is amazing! I don't really know that I have a need for a winch but I want one now.

There is always a need for a winch! I could fab up some brackets for you and send them to you if you decide you want to do one! 

Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
Posted

Nicely done!  I personally would never cover it with the plate.  I'm not sure where I'd locate the licence but it doesn't matter as everyone will be focused on the winch!

  • Thanks 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      6.2L L87 Powertrain Engine Noise (Lifter Failure) Question

      By newdude · Posted

      Engine failure requires radiator replacement per GM if it contains an engine oil cooler.  They do NOT want them flushed.  Radiator replacement is also required for the 6.2 recall if the engine fails.   Here is the TSB the dealer is referring to - 22-NA-074 1..2    Its a slightly older version, but the current version of it covers all model years 2000-2026.  So if enough failure debris was present, it gets an oil cooler.  If that is part of the radiator, it gets a radiator.  Also, same for oil cooler lines.  Those get replaced.     Now something like a 2.7 Turbo which uses an oil to water heat exchanger for the oil cooler, the radiator would be left alone but the oil cooler would be replaced, as well as any lines.  
    • txab
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By txab · Posted

      Doing the right thing, replacing both valves is the way to go. The valves with the ball leak far more often than the schrader. Never cared for them. The accumulator really should be replaced if the system has had no pressure in it and it was a keeper, but since you're looking to sell it, bet you can get by. Did you pull the orifice screen and see what was there?   Shame you can't get 134a. Hopefully the previous repairs included dye.   Some of the R4s I messed with developed leaks where the line sets connected or the front seal. Had one where the HPCO was leaking. Front seal would only leak under pressure. See any obvious oily spots?   I've got nitrogen I use to test pressure and to help dry the system prior to evacuation.   Keep up the good work
    • richard wysong
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By richard wysong · Posted

      Next time you're on a road trip to a state where you can still buy it stock up on 12oz cans, you might look into getting certified so you can buy it where you are as well. When they switched from R12 to R134a the test for certification was easy, they basically just wanted the $25
    • Atlas
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By Atlas · Posted

      Getting greedy...   The AC pump has been replaced at least once per service records, and it's been recharged twice since 2018 or so, in approximately 2 year intervals between those charges.   It was done at the same shop...clearly they were enjoying the revenue of recharging the system periodically versus actually tracking down and fixing the leak. I learned that the owner was 88 years old when she passed in 2023, so maybe they assumed only a temporary fix was needed anyway.   The system is basically empty now, the compressor spins freely, so I'm guessing it "just needs a recharge".   I vacuumed it down, and it has basically held overnight. Doesn't appear to leak under vacuum, check! So it must leak under pressure. I don't have a way to pressurize the system and pressurizing it with shop air wouldn't be great for the air dryer (which is probably toast anyway?)   The dryer (accumulator? I'm not an AC expert) has a Schrader valve, but the high side has an old ball-type valve, which are notorious for leaking. It's clearly had schmutz blown out of it at one point because the line/area next to the valve is coated old black crud, which I assume is AC refrigerant residue/oil, or maybe even dirty dye. I think I'll roll the dice and replace the valves. I have a black light around here somewhere so I'll find it and shine it around the engine bay in the dark to see if there's any dye.   I can't think of another way to track down the leak other than injecting some dye (if it doesn't have any) and having it charged up. We can't buy R134a off the shelf here anymore, so I'll run it up to Jiffy Lube and have them do it. I think I have a coupon. At the very least, the charge should last long enough for a year or two, according to history. I think this truck will be long gone by then. But cold AC is a selling point.    
    • clowe1243
      6.2L L87 Powertrain Engine Noise (Lifter Failure) Question

      By clowe1243 · Posted

      Got the truck back today.  Called them yesterday to get an update, and miraculously my truck is finished?!?! The $13k out the door was complete bullshit!  Ended up being over $14k.  They added some bullshit service bulletin that I cant even find, where they replaced my radiator without telling me or asking me, and charging me for it.  Need to do more research into it, cause they leaked the first delivered radiator was ran over by FedEX.  Sounds like bullshit to me. 2.5 Months for an engine swap, which ended up being remanufactured, not new; ****ing ridiculous.  Brakes are squishy as hell, not sure if its from sitting.  Will give a couple days to see it that figures it self out.  GAVE IT BACK TO ME WITH 1 GALLON OF GAS!  Just filled the tank the day before drop off, more bullshit.  My dash cam SD card was formatted, not really much I can do about that. 3 year, 100k GM warranty at least.  Time to sell it and say **** off to GM.  Bad experience.  Cant wait for the survey email to come through.  Overpriced Raptor R, here I come!

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...