Front Receiver and Winch
 

I rebuilt my Warn 8274 about 10 years ago and its been riding around the floor since, so I thought I'd better get it up on the front. Made a bolt in, expandable receiver first. Then I fabbed up a winch mount from the 3/8 plate that it came with when I bought it. That winch mount was warped from the previous guy so it needed cutting apart and straightening ( I know, he warped 3/8" plate!). Hopefully the pictures explain how its put together, I used existing holes and managed to get 3 each 1/2" dia bolts and 1each 3/8 dia bolt on each side. The side plates are 1/4" wall square tube cut on the diagonal (2 L brackets). The cross tube is 1/4 wall tube wrapped in the center with more 1/4 wall square tube cut on the diagonal. Fully beveled before welding. The two stubs at the side brackets that you can"t see, inside the cross tube are made from solid 2" x2" bar which are slid inside square holes cut into the side brackets (again all beveled and welded). The winch mount is still in progress and just tacked together. I cut two handles into the base plate cuz this thing must weigh 80-90 lbs. I also made the winch mount into another receiver (just in case, HA!)

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

Couple more with the side braces tacked in and the receiver with a ball hitch and another showing a receiver step I had from a previous 4 X 4 (now I can get under the hood with my 3" lift). I really need to round some corners before I bleed out! I can move the winch to the rear receiver if needed or leave it off entirely or just use a ball hitch and no winch. I'll make a stub with my license plate on it that will cover the hitch and nobody will know its there. Of course it will have a locked pin all the time, license plate or winch/ball/ step. I need to take the whole assembly out one more time so I'll add some pics of the side brackets with just the square stubs. Alrighty then....enjoy.

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

Nice work, looks good!

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

A few more of the side brackets. To install, it is collapsed, then it fits between the frame rails. Then expand it and bolt the two side brackets to the frame. The two small bolts shown in the main cross tube are just there to keep that main tube from moving side to side. Took the winch mount to a welder because I wouldn't have enough heat to penetrate the 3/8 plate effectively.

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

Very nice. Great job!

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

That looks Great.:metal:

Great design and planning.

I have one of these winches on my Gooseneck trailer.

I loved it so much I bought one at a swap meet for spare parts.

Something is going to move when it is hooked up to this winch.

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

Thanks for the comments. Yes something will move when attached. The Warn 8274 has the fastest line speed. I did get to use the front step officially today. Popped out the license plate stub and inserted the step. Nice height for me to reach stuff. This step has some "cut outs" that my shoe tips can get in to so my feet don't slip out like when on a step stool, just subtract the winch from the last pic. Alrighty then I'll call that project a wrap. The winch mount is at the welder for some deep penetrating welds and then paint. I still need to wire the cables and relays. Looking at best prices on welding cables now. I already have the Anderson plugs for front and back connections. I just thought of another handy use for the winch/hitch. I can install it at the rear receiver then attach my car trailer in line to that receiver and use the winch to pull cars, toolboxes and such onto the trailer. Ha, I knew I needed that receiver hitch-hitch. I wouldn't tow like that but just use it to hold the trailer in place to get whatever heavy thing drug up on top.

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

I need one of those steps on my 2 wheel drive 71 GMC 2500.

I've been thinking about building a license plate bracket for the back of my 48 like that one in post 4 and I already have the piece that the plate bolts to that was part of a Sneaky mount for a license plate for my BMW that has no place to mount a plate that the tree fell on.

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

Those steps are on the jungle site along with a bunch of other kinds. it wouldn't take much to weld up a "T" of 2" square tube.

Re: Front Receiver and Winch
 

That’s bad ass man. Really nice work. That should stiffen the front frame horns up quite a bit too. I wouldn’t be surprised if the steering was tighter after install because of reduced frame flex.