Hidden Winch, Stock Bumper, Completed

[Gangly]

Finally completed the hidden winch install while retaining my factory bumper.  It took waaaaay to much time and effort so I don't know if I would do it again but I do like knowing it's simple, clean, and unique since I only know of one other truck that has done it as well.  I haven't had a chance to cut off the hook and add my Factor 55 cable attachment, or clean the cut around the fairlead, but those are next. 

 

Please forgive the dirty appearance, it gets used like a truck.

Edited January 9, 2023 by Gangly

[SilveradoRST]

Looks clean!  Well done.  

[Z714Mike]

Very much appreciate your post on this and if possible a short write up on what’s entailed with this install please. ✌
 

[Gangly]

9 hours ago, Z714Mike said:

Very much appreciate your post on this and if possible a short write up on what’s entailed with this install please. ✌
 

I took a winch plate from an aftermarket bumper kit and modified it, fab'd up a fair lead mount with gussets, and welded the fairlead mount to the modified winch plate.  The entire setup bolts directly to the frame, but I had to drill 4 additional holes in the winch plate; two additional holes to mount it to the frame, and two additional holes in the base of the winch plate to mount the winch at the depth I wanted.  I rewired the control box with longer cables so it's now at the top of the passenger side fender so I don't have to crawl under the truck to access the controller. I also cut an opening in the upper baffle in order to reach the clutch from above.

Edited January 10, 2023 by Gangly

[Z714Mike]

Thanks for the reply, I figured it had to be something custom . 
great job and happy winching

[11bravoZ71]

9 hours ago, Z714Mike said:

Thanks for the reply, I figured it had to be something custom . 
great job and happy winching

I found this method of installing a winch. Looks very interesting for those thinking of installing a hidden winch with all the engineering thought out. Vs a custom build. 

 

https://www.roughcountry.com/chevy-hidden-winch-bumper-10805.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpcs&utm_campaign=17867423678|&utm_content=&utm_term=||m||fit_first_10805-a&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImpnboOe-_AIVyhWtBh10xwR6EAQYASABEgJn6fD_BwE 

[Denali_1500]

9 hours ago, 11bravoZ71 said:

I found this method of installing a winch. Looks very interesting for those thinking of installing a hidden winch with all the engineering thought out. Vs a custom build. 

 

https://www.roughcountry.com/chevy-hidden-winch-bumper-10805.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpcs&utm_campaign=17867423678|&utm_content=&utm_term=||m||fit_first_10805-a&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImpnboOe-_AIVyhWtBh10xwR6EAQYASABEgJn6fD_BwE 

Would have been nice if they used the OEM stock bumper in some way instead of selling some huge looking off road bumper needed to apply the use of a 12K winch. $1300 is not a bad price however for the bumper and winch combo setup. 

[Gangly]

11 hours ago, 11bravoZ71 said:

I found this method of installing a winch. Looks very interesting for those thinking of installing a hidden winch with all the engineering thought out. Vs a custom build. 

 

https://www.roughcountry.com/chevy-hidden-winch-bumper-10805.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpcs&utm_campaign=17867423678|&utm_content=&utm_term=||m||fit_first_10805-a&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImpnboOe-_AIVyhWtBh10xwR6EAQYASABEgJn6fD_BwE 

Definitely easier and quicker, and i considered it briefly, but I didnt like the aftermarket bumper piece and the pseudo bull bar.  The RAM trucks have an awesome factory hidden winch setup and it would be awesome if GM could do the same.