vendors, i need a bumper

[The Car Stereo Company]

so, after our recent trip to the snow and being stuck many times i decided it was time for a new front bumper and a winch. (this is the only wife approved mod i have) i have been going through all our vendors who make and sell front bumpers for the last hour and now have a couple of questions.

1) i was planning on using a smittybuilt X20 15 winch. no vendor i saw had any smittybuilt products, or info. will any of your bumpers work with this winch? i did see that there were bumpers with a warn 12,000lb winch, but im looking to hold a 15,000lb capacity

2) is there a way to keep the winch hook inside the skidplate? i always see front bumpers with the line hooked on to a towhook, or just exposed. i have damaged my front bumper three times now, and according to my front bumper damage, it seems that the impact zone was right about where the winch line would be. i do not want to damage the winch line. it seems to me, with my past history that i have a good possibility of destroying it.

3) i am wondering if all bumpers are made to order, or if they are pre welded and then features are added when ordered. i have a few features regarding the look of the bumper that i want.

so for any of you wanting to build me a bumper, i would like to know pricing and time frame. thanks in advance

 

[Rakimb17]

I'm not sure, but I think Smittybuilt stuff is built in China. But if it works, it works.
I don't really think this difference between the 15ton and 12 ton line pull rating is significant. If you're that stuck, you'll break out the snatch block anyway. So that doubles your pulling power.
On another note, how do you plan on powering the winch? Are you going with a dual battery setup or anything?

Happy shopping

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

I'm not sure, but I think Smittybuilt stuff is built in China. But if it works, it works.
I don't really think this difference between the 15ton and 12 ton line pull rating is significant. If you're that stuck, you'll break out the snatch block anyway. So that doubles your pulling power.
On another note, how do you plan on powering the winch? Are you going with a dual battery setup or anything?

Happy shopping

i thought smittybilt was a US company....... hmm.. i should double check that. i dont want to get lead poisoning.........

i guess that explains the difference in price comared to a warn

---------- Post added at 11:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:45 PM ----------

and yes, i will have a dedicated battery for the winch connected to a battery isolator on both a manual and automatic switch

 

[IRONMAN]

I have the SmittyBilt X2O Comp Series 10,000. Check it out.
Look at the video as well.

http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f11/ironmans-winch-set-up-18663/

 

[Rakimb17]

i thought smittybilt was a US company....... hmm.. i should double check that. i dont want to get lead poisoning.........

i guess that explains the difference in price comared to a warn

---------- Post added at 11:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:45 PM ----------

and yes, i will have a dedicated battery for the winch connected to a battery isolator on both a manual and automatic switch

I ordered some Smittybuilt snatch straps and when I went to use em last weekend I noticed the big MADE IN CHINA tag. But those were just straps.

Please do a write up on your dual battery install when the time comes!

 

[Icecobra]

Hey Noah I can help been doing this since the 60's been unsticking myself and others for over 30 years now. You should decide what you want the winch to do first also realize you could go with a front and rear winch via using reciver hitch. If you decide on front mounted look at the guys from Outlaw Raptor they have a really nice hidden winch.. Just a side note nothing like walking outside and seeing your winch is missing... Also check Ironmans thread, Hocksters thread and last check out my truck when I get there to do the Nav-tv install.. Length of cable can often be the most deciding factor of getting unstuck as you need twice as much if your going to do a snatch block scenario. Just ask forum members what they use and what they would change since there is nothing like experince to guide you...

 

[Netix]

having a winch on a plate and having a front/rear reciever is the best way to do it. that way you can tig yourself from the front or back and then just put it away for the city. its a great idea!!!

 

[bstoner59]

^^^ What they said...receiver mount on the bumper. I just saw one at RPG and I like it.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

i really dont have room to carry a winch all the time, nor do i have space to store it at home. i would like to have it permanently mounted so i know its always there and not going to go flying around when i catch air or hit some bumps. i want to go with a winch that provides at least double the weight of my truck so thats why i was looking at the smittybilt. it seems like a decent winch, and ironman has the 10,000 version of it and he has not had any complaints

 

[Icecobra]

With your parameters look to outlaw for a hidden winch mount, Add for a not so hidden, and check a couple other vendors for bumper with winch mount. Typical is 999 to 1999 price range depending on add ons and extras... This means then you buy the winch, typical 649 to 1599 for a good 10k to 12k winch... So walking away at around 2k to 4k for a winch and bumper...