Custom rear winch mount

[SMarshall]

I had a winch lying around the shop that I bought for a song years ago. Figured it would be useful for snow storm days so made up a custom mounting hitch. It is only roughly fabricated in the picture and still has to be chamfered off and prepped for galvanizing/paint.

 

[LeonD]

An option that I selected for my Grenadier was for a front tow hitch. The hope was to have a modular winch when going offroad and then taking it off for day-to-day driving. I was sad to learn that the front tow hitch was stated specifically to not be for a winch.

Americas Post in thread 'Winch Install – OEM Red Winch'

Dec 11, 2024

Hmm, I wonder if you have the factory fitted front tow hitch receiver whether it will comes with the support and winch cradle already fitted.

The front tow hitch was stated specifically to not be for a winch (at least for the MY24 vehicles); and I'm 98% sure the bumper support is different entirely.

• anand

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[Psignore00]

Looks good. It looks like you’re going to run power to the battery with those long cables. I power mine through NATO plug. I bought the connector from Agile Offroad and then had a shop connect an Anderson connector to that and have Anderson connector on my winch.



I still don’t understand why the front tow hitch wasn’t rated for a winch. The front tow hitch mounts in place of the factory or aftermarket winch cradle, so it should be able to withstand the force.

I also chose to get an 8000lb winch, not 10k or 12k so that I wouldn’t rip out the front hitch. The two times I’ve been really stuck,

Until someone proves me wrong, I believe I would use it in an emergency if I was stuck and alone.

Maybe there’s an engineer who understands and can explain…

 

[SMarshall]

Looks good. It looks like you’re going to run power to the battery with those long cables. I power mine through NATO plug. I bought the connector from Agile Offroad and then had a shop connect an Anderson connector to that and have Anderson connector on my winch.



I still don’t understand why the front tow hitch wasn’t rated for a winch. The front tow hitch mounts in place of the factory or aftermarket winch cradle, so it should be able to withstand the force.

I also chose to get an 8000lb winch, not 10k or 12k so that I wouldn’t rip out the front hitch. The two times I’ve been really stuck,

Until someone proves me wrong, I believe I would use it in an emergency if I was stuck and alone.

Maybe there’s an engineer who understands and can explain…

My guess is they designed the tow hitch for a lower rating than the winch plate. Most likely an oversight. Engineer doesn't equal off roader... I run a receiver mounted winch on my side by side so I can switch back and forth. It works well on the side by side but that is a much lighter winch. Slugging an 8500lb winch with mounting gear isn't for the faint of heart.