Ever notice how rangers get the short end of the stick? Best little truck out there and hardly no following in the aftermarket. I finally had to build my own hidden winch mount for my 08 ranger. Tucks nicely behind bumper. Other than fairlead sticking out, looks completely stock. 12000 pounder at that. And stout, been pulling trees at my deer lease for shooting lanes. Now, installing on my new 2011, bolts right on.

 

pics please? sounds pretty awesome.

 

Soon, it's snowing today but hopefully by next week.

 

Yep, there's not alot of aftermarket support for Rangers.

I too would very much like to see a picture or two of your setup. Especially interested in the "bolt on" aspect. I don't like welding things directly to the frame.

 

Only a few holes to drill. Two in cross bar between frame horns in front and three in lower control arm mounting bracket for skid plate/brace. All out of 1/4 in plate. Pictures soon promise, just been too darn busy fixing chevy's.

 

I uploaded pictures of my hidden winch I made for my truck on my profile album. Can't seem to get them on here for some reason. If any questions or any comments are welcome.

 

that really does look stock. good work!

 

looks great!

 

Nice!

 

Just waiting on synthetic rope from master pull. Wire rope sucks. Super xd is a lot stronger and won't snap back if it breaks and it floats. Stuff is awesome. Plus no wire stickers to poke fingers.

 

looks good! but just curious why you need a winch on a stock truck?

 

I'm offroad a bunch. Hunting and camping. And of course it's nice to be able pull chevy's out of wet grass when they get stuck. Plus this truck isn't going to be stock for long. Lift and big tires are coming soon. Already had this so why wait. Oh, and not to mention the cool one of a kind thing.

 

Looks good. So its just bolted on then? Where it mounts to the frame, you just drill holes and bolts it on?

 

Yup, you have to drill four holes and enlarge two. if you pull your bumper you'll see ford has already put two holes in the frame for you. The back one goes all the way through. The front one it about a1/4 in. so a step drill opens it up to a 3/8in. Then two holes in the brace between the frame rails. The skid plate then gets bolted to the lower control arm cross brace. Its all out of 1/4 in. plate with grade eight bolts. Simple design, its been on three rangers now.

 

is there any way to secure a winch to the front tow hooks? i'd like to avoid drilling holes if possible.

 

Not that I know of. Bolt or weld is all I know of. Thing make a ball mount styled one but that too is bolted or welded.

 

Finally got my rope in, 100' 5/16 superline xd 21,700 lb. cant wait to pull something. Hopefully not me, but if I can find a hole to stick it, I have something to get out with.

 

This looks awesome. Ever considered making more and selling them?

 

That's what everyone asks me, never considered it. Might be a good idea

 

Would be a very good idea.

 

Finally got tires and lift on truck. Not stock anymore.

 

Looks pretty awesome!

 

I have to say that is a pretty slick idea.

Me personally, I would have tried it without cutting the bumper. I have an Edge bumper, I don't want to cut it.

 

only the plastic valence, could have made it lower but then would interfere with ground clearance. 34 LTB swampers lift it nicely.

 

Agreed, even with my lift and tires I wouldn't want to compromise much ground clearance.