Ok Guys, need some input. im thinkin about getting a winch. My only deal, is i dont like the way the carriers look.

Do you folks know where i can get a decent carrier that dosnt look just all like junk?

i cant find one like brian (blktremor02) had, cause i liked the way it looked.

 

I think Brian's was a WARN carrier, wasn't it?

 

Warn is the ****!

 

ya i beleave it isnt listed on the site but they make it and remeber you have to slice up your front bumper to make it work

 

Just get a hidden hitch and mount it behind your license plate. Then get the winch with the hitch mount carrier. This way you get to keep your waag and you can switch between front and rear with your winch.

Thats my plan.

 

i vote that you find a local welding shop to build you a totally custom bumper.

one that can hold a winch.

 

hmm.

i know someone on here, installed a winch, behind their bumper. id love to do this.

Christian, would be cool, but i would need ideas for a design

 

go to the shop.

they can brainstorm with you.

something like a mini-version of the one i had built for the f250 would be cool:

 

thing is, im not sure where, i can get something like this done around here for that.

 

I personally like the front hitch idea best and then you can keep your winch out of the weather until you need it. thats just me though.

 

I love the set-up on the 350 Christian. If i could find a way to do that for a Ranger I'd be all over it!

 

Many Off-road shops will build one for you, or look up local metal fab shops. Im sure they would too.

But im thinking about going with the front hidden hitch with winch attachment. Its the best idea really. You can remove it and store it in the tool box. And when needed, it can be used in front, or out back. I just have to get a front hitch, and a rear hitch first.


Besides Tom, if you get a front bar, you loose your pretty lil WAAG bar.

 

Get a front hitch, and you can get hitch-winch mounts. All you do is put it in the receiver and plug it in. Also good if you need to pull yourself out backwards.

Keep it in the back of the cab or in a lock-box in the bed until you need it, no excessive weight on the front end all the time.

 

im doing the hitch too, they got kits that comes with the hitch and the winch mounts as a kit for sale too if yall aint seen umm yet

 

i've been debating that idea too for a while.
I'm thinking 2-2.5in square tubing, welded in between the frame rails and the front support beam, i saw it on here somewhere that way. My only concern is, how hard is it going to be to put the pin into place on the hitch with it back behind the bumper.

 

Have it exit in the opening b/t tow hooks in the valance.

 

There was a guy from TRS that mounted his milemarker winch in place of his front cross member. I know he posted pictures, the thread is here somewhere....

 

How about this one blkout?

Ranch Hand Bumpers

I'm not sure if they make one for a Ranger but it looks pretty sweet.

 

thomas there is a custom fab shop up here in nc ill find a website for you they were going to make me a similar bumper to what you want for like 400 bucks so ill get the link for you

 

^^ sounds good kurt, thanks man

everyone else, thanks for the input, im still debating what i want

 

If they haven't changed the front end mounting points from 03-04, then you can have what I had on my truck..Mounting points meaning where the tow hooks are and the 2 holes close to the top of the front bumper..If you have them you are set to go man!

 

hmmm, this talk about the hitch mount system is kinda making me wanna try this out. cause id love a winch, but not on my truck 24-7, so i just might look into that

 

sweet, do you have some picture of your old winch setup?

i wanna gander some more at it

 

yea i remember that one, it was a red truck! looked sweet!

 

Here you go:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/359530/3

Just scroll down towards the bottom and you'll see about 9 pictures for ya!