Now:
Bumper: I intended to buy a full winch bumper when the truck was new but instead went with a warn hidden mount same as XJINTX. For the weight and money (600CAD vs say 3000CAD) it fit the bill and I liked the more subtle oem look.
Winch: Again, intended to buy a big 15 or 16.5K winch but I guess I needed a break from spending on the truck so I'm using an old warn M10000 (thought it was a M12000 !) that I had sitting in storage for years.
Lights: Also had some old Helle 1000s from my 'wheeling days. For a time I didn't mount them because I thought they we kinda big. Then I thought, what the heck they're old skhool and sort of cool. First trip out, a globe got rock smashed. Replacements were long discontinued, did some research on newer types but ended up with a set of same brand, halogen 4000s (like craig333), prob old stock. A a pretty good quality light all round but note they are deep bodied for mounting.
Nextime:
Bumper: I might stick with a mount only but one that is in front of the bumper which would stay back in it's orig position. Really like the idea of a front and rear hitch mount and storing the unit inside but I'd need a much lighter rig or be physically much stronger.
Winch: That I was able to put a 20,25 yo winch back into service, get a parts schematic and support from the mfr and be able to easily disassemble to r and r the unit says a lot to me about a Warn product. If but for the $$ new ??... Wouldn't buy the cheapest winch, would look a Comeup, Superwinch or something similar (suggest researching, not recommending those brands)
Lights: Out of caution I often eschew the current trend (missed the whole tiny HID thing) but I think right now, for my use, I'd look at LED light bars. Again would need to research but I like that they can be mounted in the grill or somewhere "clean" and almost out of sight.
Thoughts (blowing smoke):
Just want to reiterate a few points made by others. The hidden mount + winch (with synthetic) was only 150#. I had hoped the 6000# snowplow fr springs would be adequate. Nope, like Mighty Dodge Ram I had to do some suspension work and it took two tries. That was an extra cost.
As mentioned I replaced the beat up wire cable with synthetic (for the wt savings and just to try) also bought a synthetic extension, pulley for the synthetic, some new straps etc. That was extra cost. And, I get to carry all that stuff and wt around with me. Not a complaint mind you, because a winch is a want for me. I just think these extra things are worth repeating (and for the record, with this truck have used used the winch once for a stuck)
By choice I don't often drive at night. Nowadays I find many oem headlamps are super bright on all kinds of vehicles (from bicycles to OTR trucks) and the "dip your hi beams" seem to be a quaint thing of the past. It's comforting to have some kind of firepower.
Bumper: I intended to buy a full winch bumper when the truck was new but instead went with a warn hidden mount same as XJINTX. For the weight and money (600CAD vs say 3000CAD) it fit the bill and I liked the more subtle oem look.
Winch: Again, intended to buy a big 15 or 16.5K winch but I guess I needed a break from spending on the truck so I'm using an old warn M10000 (thought it was a M12000 !) that I had sitting in storage for years.
Lights: Also had some old Helle 1000s from my 'wheeling days. For a time I didn't mount them because I thought they we kinda big. Then I thought, what the heck they're old skhool and sort of cool. First trip out, a globe got rock smashed. Replacements were long discontinued, did some research on newer types but ended up with a set of same brand, halogen 4000s (like craig333), prob old stock. A a pretty good quality light all round but note they are deep bodied for mounting.
Nextime:
Bumper: I might stick with a mount only but one that is in front of the bumper which would stay back in it's orig position. Really like the idea of a front and rear hitch mount and storing the unit inside but I'd need a much lighter rig or be physically much stronger.
Winch: That I was able to put a 20,25 yo winch back into service, get a parts schematic and support from the mfr and be able to easily disassemble to r and r the unit says a lot to me about a Warn product. If but for the $$ new ??... Wouldn't buy the cheapest winch, would look a Comeup, Superwinch or something similar (suggest researching, not recommending those brands)
Lights: Out of caution I often eschew the current trend (missed the whole tiny HID thing) but I think right now, for my use, I'd look at LED light bars. Again would need to research but I like that they can be mounted in the grill or somewhere "clean" and almost out of sight.
Thoughts (blowing smoke):
Just want to reiterate a few points made by others. The hidden mount + winch (with synthetic) was only 150#. I had hoped the 6000# snowplow fr springs would be adequate. Nope, like Mighty Dodge Ram I had to do some suspension work and it took two tries. That was an extra cost.
As mentioned I replaced the beat up wire cable with synthetic (for the wt savings and just to try) also bought a synthetic extension, pulley for the synthetic, some new straps etc. That was extra cost. And, I get to carry all that stuff and wt around with me. Not a complaint mind you, because a winch is a want for me. I just think these extra things are worth repeating (and for the record, with this truck have used used the winch once for a stuck)
By choice I don't often drive at night. Nowadays I find many oem headlamps are super bright on all kinds of vehicles (from bicycles to OTR trucks) and the "dip your hi beams" seem to be a quaint thing of the past. It's comforting to have some kind of firepower.
