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I've desided that I want to replace my oem tow hooks with a 2in reciever until I have the money for a customized bumper winch combo. I have seen the removable winches that are attached to the reciever which could enable me to use it front and rear. just wondering how reliable these are and if it is worth the money. Any suggestions are appreciated
I am going to do the same thing. I have the factory 2" hitch in the back I'm doing to put a 2" receiver in the front and mount my winch on a plate that will fit on either end. I figger there will be times when I need to get pulled backwards and other times forward is better. Also I don't loose any approach angle like I would with the winch bumper.
I just put a drawtite on mine this weekend. etrailor.com got it to me in less than a week and for $112 shipped. It says it's good for a 9000lbs winch pull and it has some nice big hooks on it. It sure looks beefier than any tow hooks I've seen
I don't know where you live but security is not the issue, if your winch is laying loose in the back then it's worse. I just like the fact there's nothing sticking out up front and I can pull forward or back.
well i don't live in a bad area but tat the same time i would like to see somebody try and run down the street with 100 pound winch and craddle with out me catching him.second i'm also going to make a reciever in the trunk area of the jeep to hold it inplace and lock it down.
As for the security issue as well as the safety issue, I mounted a receiver in the back that the hitch mounts into. I then use a lockable pin. It can't easily be stolen and if you roll or have an accident, you don't have the hitch chasing you around inside the rig.
i had this set up,had being the key word.for the set up i had i lost a bunch of approch angle and ended up bending the whole front end of my jeep down. i went into a small creek and did a lot of damage. also think of the amount of cable you need to hook it to the battery.unless you have a rear mounted dual battery setup. just my two pennies worth. if anybody wants it i still have the cradle that a warn goes in for the reciever.
So, where does this winch reside while you're out wheeling?
Inside the cab?
If so...
What happens when you get stuck in a mud/water hole?
What happens if you need to use the winch quickly?
What happens if you get stuck in a position where you can't get the winch mounted?
I really don't see the need or a reason for a removable winch.
Seems more like a liability to me.
yes it does sit in the trunk .right now it is ratched down but i will be building reciever style hold down for it to lock into.as for what if a get stuck in a mud hole well then i get out just like i would have if i was stuck with a regular winch but instead i get to choose which way is the best way or the only way to winch then grab it put it on and pull myself out.if the front end is buried then i'll put it on the back and vise versa.if both are buried then i will be doing some digging won't i.if i do have to dig guess what my winch doesn't sit any lower than a solid mounted one.so you would be digging to get to youres as well.if i feel i'm going to be doing something that i need it in a hurry i'll put it on before i get there.if i'm going to be going down hill i'll put it on the back.if i'm going up then it's going on the front.sure it kills some break angle but the few times i have to put it on because i feel i need it in such a situation is few and far between.as for the reason i first bought it because i lived in a place that was nothing but mud and i wheeled by myself most of the time.so you sometimes made it throught and winched of the front and sometimes you didn't make it all the way and you have to go out backward.another good reason was because the trails were tight if i was wheeling with somebody if they were behind me ,hook it up to the back if they were in front then it goes up front.
do you see an on going theme here .i can place my winch were i need it depending on the situation,it's not always in the way so i increase my break angles when it's not on,if you are wheeling alone it gives you that many more options to getting out.
as for the front end holding up if i lay the front end down on a rock.i have done it and rather hard .have to give credit were credit is due .Terry over at Rigidco makes a damn stout bumper and it ties in the best i have seen .
oh one other thing the wiring .if you buy the kit it comes with wire ,relays ,saftey switches for the relay to make the system live,a set of quick connects,and all the terminals you need to wire the front end.you can buy more wire and anotehr set of quick connects from any place the sells plows or tow truck accessorys .they also sell three kit sizes to wire the back or what ever.a 10ft kit,a 15 ft ,and a 24.these kits also come with a set of quick connects and all the terminals to wire it.
now what can you do with all this.i have wired a second battery in the trunk with the 24ft kit.i ran it thru the frame rail with a snake to the second battery then out to the back quick clip.now with two batteries i can also use a ready welder.i can plug that welder into the same quick clips used for the winch.so i can go front or back with my welder as well.i also made a 20 ft extension cord so to speak to get even further from the truck.it just keeps getting better.everybody has their thing and what they like .it works for me and has multi uses.with everything i have i can also use my winch on anybodies truck with a reciever.i can use my extension cord to power the winch on anything with a 2" reciever.
I had the same idea... I built my front bumper with a receiver hitch to store the winch in the back and break it out when i needed it... it was mainly to save it from all of the mud and water i like to go through... BUT...
I changed my mind in a hurry...
I bought a Mile Marker SE9500 winch... Bought the Carrier/Hitch mount also...
Winch = 80lbs.
Carrier = 20 lbs
I can lift 100 lbs. I can put it on the front... but the 2 times i needed to winch from the front, I would not have been happy having to get it out of the back and carry it through Thigh deep Mud or the second time, having to carry it around the jeep on the cliff side of the hill... it would have been near impossible to carry the winch around the jeep that time...
So I am going to get a bumper that holds the winch... I go 4x4ing to wheel not to work out. I will leave the carrying to the suckers...
BTW it would take way longer to unbolt a winch from the front of your jeep than it would to smash the rear window and take it... at least thats what I would think...
Don't have a winch yet, but thinking of going the reciever route. My $0.02 on security: If it's strapped down in the back while you are wheeling, chances are none of your wheeling buddies will steal it (depending on who you hang out with). When you're not wheeling, leave it in the garage or house out of the weather and away from thieves.
Then you mount the winch on the other end. In fact, this is where a receiver mounted winch is really much better. If your front end is so jammed down into something that you can't mount the receiver winch there then it is almost certainly so jammed down into something that a fixed-mount winch wouldn't do you any good.
I have had fixed-mount winches before. As someone else said, "had" is the operative word. I would never voluntarily go back to a fixed mount winch. The receiver-mounted variety works just as well, doesn't limit approach angle as much (since it's not mounted unless it's needed), reduces weight when I'm not wheelin', and improves the security and longevity of the winch itself.
The only drawback I can think of is that it does take up some room inside the Jeep when it's strapped down in the back. I consider that a very minor drawback, however, and certainly not enough to outweigh the many advantages.
The last waterfall on Wrecking Ball is a perfect example.
I'm not even sure you COULD get out to get to your winch. And forget about actually lifting the winch the 15 feet to the top of the falls, having your buddy plug it in, and then winch. NO CHANCE of putting the winch in first, as the approach angle is very vertical. To top it all off, if you don't make the climb you are usually in a very precarious position that you don't want to stay in for long (usually with low or no oil pressure). You need to hook and move double-quick.
I'm sure for the average 4 wheeler/hunter/adventurer, the plug-in winch is a lovely option.
But for the love of gawd, please don't try and convince me that it is an option for extreme wheeling.
I guess it depends on how you wheel. I live in Indiana, so I don't get stuck places where I can't get out of my Jeep. I get stuck in mud. Alot. Having the option of pulling backwards has been a trip saver more than once. I love my reviever mounted winch. But, a bumper mount may be best for your truck. So I guess my advice would be to think back to the wheeling you've done and decide which way would have been easier for you.
