H2 Rear Winch in Bumper Install

[Polar Bear]

So I actually did this project in March of 2013!

I really wanted a front and rear winch and for years I simply took the cradle from the front and transfered it to the rear when needed...which was a total pain in the butt, especially if you are stuck!

So after taking a good hard look at my OEM rear bumper, I notice a ton of space back there that just might be able to house a rear winch...so guess what I decided to do!

My trusty T-Max winch portable mount has taken a beating over the years since I already can use it in the front or rear of my truck, but recently I have bent many of the components to the point where I needed to do something with it and my T-Max winch. My winch is still good so I decided to give it a new home! A winch condo in my factory rear bumper.

This project turned out better than I imagined and has worked amazingly well!

So here is how I did it!

 

[Polar Bear]

So here is the first round of pictures;

Making the marks before I get the hole saw and the sawzall out.

Here is the first cut.

This is my first test fit with my winch...just to make sure it will fit before I go to far...but seeing as I already have a big hole in my bumper I will find a way!

Guess What?? It actually Fits!!!

 

[Polar Bear]

Next, I wanted to reuse the steel from my front winch cradle since all the holes were already done and it was a strong unit!

I started by removing the 2x2 tubing.

I then did another test fit just to be certain things would line up right!

So now that I know everything will fit OK...time to start welding!

 

[Polar Bear]

Last step before I weld everything solid, I modify the bumper cover to allow space for the roller fairlead to pass thru.

Now that I know all the parts will line up...it is time to make it permanent!

 

[Polar Bear]

n order to be able to weld my plate in I first needed to level some surfaces to ensure a solid foundation, so a good cleaning with the grinder and away we go!

 

[Polar Bear]

Now every winch is held by a minimum of 4 bolts so in order to make sure that I could actually bolt the winch in place I cam up with a creative idea to be able to pass thru the frame!

So I drilled a 1 inch hole thru the frame and then welded in some 1/4 wall tubing to give me a pass thru for the winch bolt and enough space for the socket as well!

 

[Polar Bear]

Now I weld the winch plate in.

 

[Polar Bear]

Since I frequently do side angle pulls I wanted to make sure I compensated for any side loading so I added these braces.

Once I finished up all the welds and I cleaned everything up I put a nice cost of Bed Liner coating over everything.

 

[Polar Bear]

Here are the final stages.

With the winch bolted in place I reinstalled the bumper cover and made the necessary adjustments to have a clean installation.

You will notice I had to trim the clutch handle in order to allow it to pass thru the bumper.

Since I do pull trailers with my H2. I moved the factory trailer light plug over a bit and gave it a new home!

And here is the finished product! Looks Great and Works even better!

 

[Big2dabank]

Pretty sweet setup! Thanks for sharing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scarsman]

Nice! That's on my list of things to do as well. Mine will probably be part of a complete bumper though. I'll probably put my 10,000 lb one on the rear and put a bigger one on the front.

 

[Renagade132]

Scarsman, please make sure you make a double of that front and rear bumper idea!