2019 Ram 2500HD, Is there a hidden winch mount available?

[Rockcrawlindude]

Another question. I have AUX switches in my truck. I would like to use them to control the winch. Is this possible?

Are your aux switches DPDT? It can be done....

Having the winch control on the dash is not as convenient as you would think. That’s more of a suck-down winch wiring setup. My suggestion is to use the remote for a recovery winch.

 

[NHOverland]

I will have to inspect it deeper. I just looked at the photos I have from my installation. Once I receive the handles from harbor freight I will come up with something for sure

Rough draft.... so far this is what I came up with. Once it's dialed in I'll go with a thicker gauge for stability.

 

[kristof]

Rough draft.... so far this is what I came up with. Once it's dialed in I'll go with a thicker gauge for stability.

I'm planing to put a plate at the front that will be mounted to the two bolts between fairlead and the winch frame. Then I could mount the handle to the plate and planning to leave control box on the winch and buy a cable to extend the manual plug to the plate at the front. I like what you did. Did you drill the original handle? Extra handles suppose to be here today but they are running late. Also 5 degrees outside not helping

 

[NHOverland]

I'm planing to put a plate at the front that will be mounted to the two bolts between fairlead and the winch frame. Then I could mount the handle to the plate and planning to leave control box on the winch and buy a cable to extend the manual plug to the plate at the front. I like what you did. Did you drill the original handle? Extra handles suppose to be here today but they are running late. Also 5 degrees outside not helping

Got a good test and built another with 16ga steel and its fairly sturdy. I am fine tuning the alignment and also trying to figure out a better mounting solution for the gear on the clutch lever. I drilled and tapped then sleeved and bolted, but the cast aluminum isn't strong enough to hold good torque. So I cut the one of the replacement handles off, drilled it out for 1/2" rod then drilled and tapped it for the retaining screw that comes with the handle. I am also battling the cold with no garage to work in, so progress is slow.

 

[kristof]

Got a good test and built another with 16ga steel and its fairly sturdy. I am fine tuning the alignment and also trying to figure out a better mounting solution for the gear on the clutch lever. I drilled and tapped then sleeved and bolted, but the cast aluminum isn't strong enough to hold good torque. So I cut the one of the replacement handles off, drilled it out for 1/2" rod then drilled and tapped it for the retaining screw that comes with the handle. I am also battling the cold with no garage to work in, so progress is slow.

By looking more into this I might go with timing belt and pulleys. I will cut the handle and turn it on lathe so I could slide the pulley on and drill thru both pulley shoulder and the handle and then put a pin in there or a bolt with nut. You are far more further with your design than I am

 

[kristof]

What is the distance between handle and rod?

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I’m digging the ingenuity.

 

[Sowa]

Aside from the intercooler is there anything else preventing installing a winch on a diesel?

 

[kristof]

Aside from the intercooler is there anything else preventing installing a winch on a diesel?

That's the only thing I heard about. If I had a diesel I will go with the bumper one of the member posted in other thread. Really nice clean looking bumper with winch.

 

[kristof]

Got a good test and built another with 16ga steel and its fairly sturdy. I am fine tuning the alignment and also trying to figure out a better mounting solution for the gear on the clutch lever. I drilled and tapped then sleeved and bolted, but the cast aluminum isn't strong enough to hold good torque. So I cut the one of the replacement handles off, drilled it out for 1/2" rod then drilled and tapped it for the retaining screw that comes with the handle. I am also battling the cold with no garage to work in, so progress is slow.

Have you tried it? I was able to get under my truck saturday and realized it takes some serious torque to move that handle.

 

[kristof]

Getting warmer outside. As for now I was able to make make the sprocket only

 

[el_barto]

Have you tried it? I was able to get under my truck saturday and realized it takes some serious torque to move that handle.

If it’s really difficult to get in/out of freespool, sometimes it helps to give the winch a bump out...sometimes the gears just aren’t aligning right.

 

[kristof]

If it’s really difficult to get in/out of freespool, sometimes it helps to give the winch a bump out...sometimes the gears just aren’t aligning right.

I will try and see. As of now I will go with chain (not timing belt like I planned). Since most of the items I need are available to me free of charge.

 

[NHOverland]

Getting warmer outside. As for now I was able to make make the sprocket only

So I couldn't get my hands on a lathe the turn the handle down so I drilled it out for .50" Aluminum rod and pinned it to prevent rotation. Along with the gears. Fresh coat of paint and this should be a workable version for now, I'll throw this one tomorrow. I want to simplify it a bit more but need a lathe and mill to really do what I want to do.

 

[NHOverland]

What is the distance between handle and rod?

I'll have to measure again, but I think it's roughly 5".

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I appreciate the workmanship and ingenuity but that’s an awful lot of time and work invested into a harbor freight winch. I have my fingers crossed for you, sir.

 

[McHenry2500]

I appreciate the workmanship and ingenuity but that’s an awful lot of time and work invested into a harbor freight winch. I have my fingers crossed for you, sir.

I'm seeing more and more folks using HF winches in the SXS/UTV/ATV community. I've also seen a number of Jeeps and buggies at the local off road park using them more over the last few years. I have a Superwinch on my SXS and have used Warn's in the past but for my next rig I'd give serious consideration to a Badlands. Especially if it only sees minimal use or it's on a smaller rig.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I wouldn’t even consider if it would see “minimal use” when selecting a winch

It only needs to fail one time to really F up my weekend. when you need a winch, you NEED it to work.

 

[kristof]

I appreciate the workmanship and ingenuity but that’s an awful lot of time and work invested into a harbor freight winch. I have my fingers crossed for you, sir.

I love this kind of work. Just wish I could find more time to do it. Pretty busy with full time job and small business on the side.

 

[kristof]

So I couldn't get my hands on a lathe the turn the handle down so I drilled it out for .50" Aluminum rod and pinned it to prevent rotation. Along with the gears. Fresh coat of paint and this should be a workable version for now, I'll throw this one tomorrow. I want to simplify it a bit more but need a lathe and mill to really do what I want to do.

I think I'm going to use aluminum channels for mine. We have bunch of these at work and I can cut it to any length I need