I have updated this post with bits a pieces of things that I have found over the past week when reading/researching about the project.
I don't have the funds for a new bumper. I have a winch and was thinking about adding a front tow receiver for the winch. I know that the lateral bend of the receiver tube would be the weakest link. Maybe weld on more steel triangle shaped plating out towards the front of the receiver and reinforce it back to the plate that the guy in the link below attached too. It mentions some mounting area for the rack and pinion. I could even weld tubing back to the frame somewhere. I'll look tonight when I get home. I know the intercooler is the issue with a hidden bumper mount.
Update - maybe something could be done vs using a receiver mount.
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/20...-receiver.html
Locations to mount:
UPDATE: If someone made a mount that bolted in front of the intercooler (with longer bolts and retained the tow hooks), then a 12000lb winch that is 6 inches in diameter would barely stick out of the bumper. It's 5 3/8" from the cooler to the bent lip of the bumper. With feet down mounted, taking into consideration the diameter, the winch would only stick out about an inch. The Innercooler is only 1 3/8" thick.
Behind the Air dam is a little over 5" If you had a winch mounted here it would be great. Maybe add a little diamond plate aluminum skid plate around it. My transfer case was at 9" with 33" tires. It could be done with a smaller winch, but it would be too low in my opinion unless you would mount it upside down with a very elaborate custom hitch/mount. Also, what if your front fairlead lifted some and screwed up your fan or inner cooler or something.
Original Locations section:
I wouldn't mind cutting the bumper up to mount it just in front of the innercooler like the power wagon. Maybe a bracket from the receiver could come out 2 inches and up under the winch for front support and slide back into the bumper. It would look funny though if the winch was not mounted. This is the beginning to my plan so any ideas would be great. Maybe under the bumper upside down.
Update - Hidden 1500 using feet forward mount.
http://www.ramforum.com/f48/hidden_w...30/index2.html
Electrical
I read to use the lexan type connectors and that they are similar to the snow plow connectors, but they don't look that waterproof too me. I'm thinking boat stuff would be better to use for water proof reasons.[INDENT]Guage of wire:Advanced auto has 20 ft of 4 gauge jumper cables for $39 amd they are actually thick wire. I can chop it up to use as my power wires. I have used them in my boat after tinning the connections and sealing the ends with liquid electrical tape and they have worked great for my center console power wires and then later for my windlass and trolling motor wires for over 5 years. I can always trim the wire down to fit 6 gauge connectors worst case.
Connectors:[INDENT]
4 gauge - Driver Battery Quick Connect Plug Kit Recovery Winch Trailer 350 amps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0129E1KF8..._Wt8rybDZ078WK
Wireless remote install using any universal winch remote:
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f202/en...l-1021121.html
Mounting Engo winches:
My wife got me an Engo winch for Christmas. I emailed them to check on upside down or feet forward mounting here is their responce - Just make sure the cable spools between the mounting surface and the drum.* Don’t re-wrap the drum from the opposite direction if you mount it upside down.* It is designed to disengage the brake while powering IN and to power against the brake when powering OUT.* As long as you leave the cable on the way it came it will be fine.
Warn can be mounted upside down as long as any vents your winch might have on top are closed.
How a snow plow Hitch attaches:
Mounting brackets that fit that fit under the Sway Bar mounting points at 7:40:
Curt snow plow using their front receiver:
The brackets used for a western plow (page 7 left side) They sandwich the frame but not with two full plates, notice th outside plate just has 45 degree supports coming down to the botom of the bracket/frame. I assume that is for lateral support from left to right.. The only suport front to back seems like the inside plate with a tiny bit of support from the out bracket, then some support from the inside two supports.
http://library.westernplows.com/west....03_110111.pdf
Types of front mount hitches
Between the tow hooks
Or down lower frome the snow plow connection points off the frame
https://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2012_Ram_2500.htm
Compatibilty brackets and tow hook bracket where they attach to the frame (see page 5)
http://library.westernplows.com/west....03_110111.pdf
Coating
I was thinking of using powder coat on the framing to prevent rust. I also have a few things I'd like to powder coat. I have a few gallons of epoxy that I could maybe tint black and or paint over.
A few people in jeep forums etc said one thing about powder coating is that most things powder coated eventually chip, then rust. Most car paint lasts 20+ years and does great, can chip some, but has a proven track record.
Some go kart people swear by
Por15 - thread w video - http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9156
Chassis Black (generic)
Epoxy.
Here some hot rod people hate por 15 but like epoxy
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/por-...et-119795.html
I have 2 gallons of epoxy so I think I'll just go with that
Long term rust experiment/video -
Okay this is just a place/link to save a rust removal video -
Links to builds:
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=575917
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