Front winch & light mount

John Harden · 08-25-2005, 11:07 AM

Looking to install a winch on the front and O/R lights. I've seen the Titan winch mount bull bar for $1100. Don't like the look at all and so far, this is the only, complete bolt on solution I've seen. Anyone mount a winch up front as well as lights and have some feedback and/or pics?

4X4 parts has a solution, but it's not my first choice. I could remove my Westin Bull bar and install the front receiver hitch they sell that bolts to the tow hook hard points on the frame. I could then buy a Warn (or similiar) receiver mounted hitch. This would take care of the hitch. For light mounting, about the only thing I see that would work with the above setup would be the Titan PreRunner light bar (also sold on 4X4 parts' site). It looks like it would easily clear the top of the Warn winch.

Any other ideas?

I'm also concerned about the winch reducing my approach angle as it sits so far out in front of the bumper. The truck is going to be lifted about 5" (Rancho 4") in a few weeks, so this will help some.

Also, anyone know if the front receiver hitch will work with the factory skid plate? It looks like it would be tight, and I'd very much like to keep the factory plate as it provides a lot of protection.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards,

John

kvoman · 08-25-2005, 11:34 AM

I'm getting mine from Kennesaw Mountain in about a week. You have lots of options besides just a winch mount. I got one a winch mount with an integrated front receiver mount and two tabs for tow points and w/o the tubular brush guard.

The cost is competitive as compare to the others. You will have to do some minor trimming according to Kyle from Kennesaw. I'm looking forward to getting mine and install it.

John Harden · 08-25-2005, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the reply. I don't know if I want the whole bumper replacement look. It does look like a pretty heavy duty unit though.

kvoman · 08-25-2005, 02:48 PM

There's one on this board that did a custom job with just a front receiver - looks great. Do a search for it. I'm sure you can get a custom winch mount that is hidden behind the OEM bumper also.

I didn't like the look of the receiver hitch from 4x4parts.com so I went for this Kennesaw bumper instead.

ThreeNissan · 08-25-2005, 05:57 PM

I have the reciever ordered and will be here tommorrow. So I can post pics. I also know there were some changes to the design of the reciever. I have a mile marker winch I will be using . I like that I will be able to use the winch front or rear. As far as kennesaw bumper I saw one a while back and it was very ugly. It looked like a big tow truck bumper. Ive seen better designs out there like calmini or 4x4parts just minus the chrome hoop.

John Harden · 08-25-2005, 06:58 PM

ThreeNissan, when you say you have the receiver coming tomorrow, do you mean the front hitch receiver, or the mounting bracket (plate) that Warn and Mile Marker sell that slides into the receiver? If you're referring to the actual front hitch receiver, I'm very interesed in seeing pics if the design has changed from what they show on their website.

I have to say, it's not an attractive setup and if I go this route, I'll probably leave the winch on all the time to cover up the ugly receiver bar.

I saw that custom front receiver hitch that New England Titan had done for his truck. Very low profile and hides behind the grill. It's also up higher, allowing the use of the factory tow hooks. Nice, but he didn't post pics or a detailed description of how it is attached to the frame. I PM'd, him, but don't know if he still hangs out here.

If anyone has links to sites that sell front winch mounting options, I'd appreciate if you could post them. I'm simply not finding much for our Titans.

Regards,

John

ThreeNissan · 08-25-2005, 08:43 PM

I have the front reciever showing up. I already have the winch and craddle. You also dont want to leave the winch on up front like that. You will smack it right away. Here is a link of my winch and the cradle. picture

Boone-Titan · 08-25-2005, 09:07 PM

Here is a shot showing where my lights are mounted. Since the reciever comes out near the top of the lower grill this might work for you. Have also see a couple Armadas around here with large lights mounted in the upper grill in the section nearest the headlight on each side. Make sure you post those install pictures of the reciever.

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/show...1&postcount=17

John Harden · 08-25-2005, 09:19 PM

ThreeNissan, where did you get your front hitch receiver? Is it the same one that 4X4 parts has?

I was out looking at the truck awhile ago. There is a lot of clearance behind that bull bar and the slots in the bumper where the tow hooks and bull bar mount. There has to be a way to mount a front hitch receiver AND the bull bar.

You're probably right about whacking the winch (or getting whacked) if I leave it on all the time. I just don't like the look of that 4X4 front hitch receiver up front and it's too much of a hassle to take it on and off each time I want to go offroading.

Unless someone has a solution or NewEngland Titan shows up with plans or a source for his hidden hitch mount, I may just wait until someone fabricates another solution.

Regards,

John

ThreeNissan · 08-25-2005, 09:23 PM

Yeah its the 4x4parts one coming.

kvoman · 08-26-2005, 10:55 AM

That custom job from NewEngland is definitely very very nice and completely hidden.

John Harden · 08-26-2005, 03:56 PM

It sure is. I PM'd him hoping he can provide additional details, or better yet the name and contact info for the machine shop that fabbed it up.

I had heard that Warn was looking to make a bull bar with winch mount capabilities for the Titan so I e-mailed them yesterday. They promptly replied this morning saying that they looked closely at it, and decided the Titan front end would make if very difficult to engineer. As a result, they are no longer pursuing this. Bummer.

Looks like we'll continue to wait for a winch mount bull bar or brush guard for the Titan.

Regards,

John

ThreeNissan · 08-26-2005, 07:59 PM

Here are some pictures of the hitch. I will need to drill a new hole in my winch cradle so that it doesnt stick that far out.Pictures

John Harden · 08-26-2005, 11:02 PM

Thanks a lot for posting the pics. I really appreciate you taking the time to document and post.

At first look, it's like, WOW, that sticks out a lot. After I looked at it awhile, it seems clear that another hole in the receiver like you indicated will move it back at least 2-3 inches. Put a light bar like the PreRunner above it and it would look good. I also think you're dead on when you advise that leaving it on all the time is just inviting someone to wack it.

I don't see a factory skid plate on your truck. Am I missing that? Do you think it would work with one? I don't see the clearance necessary from the pics, but it could work I guess.

One other thing. It looks for all the world like that thing could be mounted behind the lower bumper shroud. It would take either heavy modding of that receiver or a custom, from the ground up fab. In the end, all we'd need to do is make that turn and rise from the tow hook mounting hard points. I know crap about welding but know some folks who do.

I've all but come to the conclusion that if we want a front mounted brush/bull bar with integrated winch mount, we may have to go make one ourselves.

Thanks again for posting. I actually like the setup. It does require that the winch be removed when you don't need it, but in the end, it looks pretty good.

Regards,

John

ThreeNissan · 08-27-2005, 07:14 AM

I dont have the off road package so I dont have the skid plate. It would be tight with the skid plate. A little cutting of the skid plate may have to be done to fit but I m not sure with out seeing one. As far as mounting it behind the bumper there is a big piece of metal frame the prohibits one being mounted back there with out alot of fabrication and cutting. The only thing that sticks out on the reciever is the top mounting place of the reciever but that cant go any further back with out cutting your bumper.
Kevin