$40 HF hidden winch mount

[stangtjk]

Started modifying a HF universal winch mount to hide a smittybilt x20 10k winch behind my bumper.... Looks like it's going to fit perfect..... I still need to clock the clutch 180 degrees so it won't get caught on something and make some brackets to bolt the mount to the frame. Planning to use the bolt holes from the factory tow hooks. Will probably also add a skid plate to protect it at some point before I take it out and abuse it.

[Green Monster]

This looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing. What did the mount look like before you modified it?

[68panelman]

Like it, in for more pics also

[A1971Blazer]

Like this maybe?

https://www.harborfreight.com/catalo...&q=winch+mount

[Green Monster]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Like this maybe?
Attachment 1753237
https://www.harborfreight.com/catalo...&q=winch+mount

Thanks A1971Blazer. I found an install on a Jeep on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N8wRLqkMQc


Looks like a convenient method to install.

Stangtjk: Could you bolt the universal plate through the top of the frame rails instead?

[stangtjk]

Yep that's the one I used. You could bolt it to the top of the frame rails but I don't want to add more holes to the frame if I can avoid it. The frame rails aren't perfectly flat in that area, slopes down in the front, so you may need to shim it a little to go that route.

There is only about 24" between the frame rails and the winch mount is 36" long. All I had to do to get it to fit is trim 6" off the legs on each end and grinded the corners that hit the bumper a little to allow it to set as far forward as it could. I'll probably cut a few inches off each end too after I decide how I'm going to bolt it in. Wish they didn't put so many holes in the mount but no one's going to see it once installed.

[Green Monster]

Originally Posted by stangtjk

Wish they didn't put so many holes in the mount but no one's going to see it once installed.

Looks like a slice of Swiss cheese. Too bad they don't offer a mount without holes but like you said, no one I going to see it.

Hidden winches look great on these Blazers. Looking forward to seeing the final result.

[mongocanfly]

that will look nice....

[PSYCHO_OUTLAW]

I have been wanting to do this, since I bought my blazer... thanks for the pictures..

[stangtjk]

Planning to finish this up this evening.. I'll post more pics when done. I cut 4" off each side since it's flush with the outside of the frame rails. That got rid of most of the "Swiss cheese". To mount it to the frame I'm going to use the factory holes for the upper bumper brackets and weld a bracket to the outside to use the upper two factory holes for the tow hooks.

[stangtjk]

Will paint and install tomorrow....

[tmontg01]

Any update?