anyone with a ranch hand and winch?

[brandonwhite]

I have a ranch hand front end replacement and am wanting to add a winch. I am going to fabricate my own mounting system but I was wondering if anyone has a picture of a ranch hand with the factory winch mounting so I could get some ideas.

 

[Reb.B]

if u're looking for a winch check out the milemarker hydrolic winch. Its really cool and can do some heavy pullin' without burnin' up electric motors.

 

[brandonwhite]

I already have the winch. Just need to get it on my truck.

 

[jwdeeming]

Brandon,



I have the Ranchhand front replacement bumper on my truck. When I bought it, I also sprung for their winch mounting kit but have never put it on yet since Santa still hasn't brought me a winch. It's just collecting dust in the garage right now. Probably weighs another 70 pounds or so - I'm thinking if I ever get that and a winch mounted up front, coupled with the weight of the CTD, I'll have to have a counter balance in the rear to keep from tipping forward at stop lights.



If it would help, I could take the shrink wrap off of it and take some pics and measurements for you. However, it seems to me I've seen two different Ranchhands on the Rams out there. Mine sticks WAY out - there's room enough for my big feet to stand on that front deck while I'm under the hood. I've seen others that don't stick out nearly that far (and look better IMHO).



Let me know if this would help.



Jim

 

[brandonwhite]

Thanks for the reply. After studying it for a few days I broke out the torch and welder last night. I have got the winch on there now just need to do a little renforcement here and there. It actually fits quite nicely but it was a lot of work to get it on there. I will post up some pics when I am done.



Brandon

 

[HillCountrykid]

Please post a lot of good detailed pictures! I've been considering the same exact thing about my bumper, but have'nt had a winch to use for measurements. Thanks.



Brian

 

[brandonwhite]

Pictures

.

 

[HillCountrykid]

Brandon, that looks good. Clean too. Was it very difficult? Is there any way that you could get around putting the plate in front of the winch, leaving the round pipe exposed?



Now that I look a lttle closer, it's rolled 90 degrees backwards, right? Was that a necesity, or just work better that way. I'd guess that is what the plate is for. I'll be using a hydraulic winch, and don't know if it will work properly in that position.



Brian

 

[brandonwhite]

Brian,



The whole job took about 4 hours taking my time. It was not really difficult to do, it just took a while thinking about it before hand. Like you were saying I was going to try to avoid replacing the whole pipe in the front but I did not see another way. The winch is not rotated. It is sitting the correct way. I don't know about the hydraulic winches but my Warn requires six bolts to mount it. Two on the bottom and four on the front. I got my tow hooks on today and it looks better than with that cable strectched all the way across.

 

[HillCountrykid]

Oops, now that I look at it again M15000 label is in the upright position. I've gotten over the fact that I'll probably have to put a plate up front. Function over form right. Is there any way you could take picture from below the winch? If things work out, there will be 2 white Dodges with odd looking Ranch hands running around. Thanks.



Brian

 

[brandonwhite]

Here are some pics from underneath. It is dark outside so I hope it shows up ok. I used 8 x 1/2" plate on the front and 5 x 1/2" underneath. In addition to welding the plates on the end I also welded them to the lower pipe on the bumper. I was worried about weakening the bumper by cutting the pipe but I think it is probably stronger with the two plates than it was with the pipe.

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[HillCountrykid]

Thanks a million Brandon!!!



A picture is worth 1000 words. Probably more like $1200 or $1300. Thing is 4 wheel parts is the cheapest place for the M15000 so far at $1100. Go figure. I'm leaning towards the electric now for simplicity and my intended use.



After seeing your first pictures and then looking at mine that's almost exactly how I figured it was done. Now I'm sure. Time to buy a winch and some steel plate.



You've got that synthetic wire rope don't you? I've thought about it but not sure about it yet.



Brian

 

[brandonwhite]

No problem. I am glad to help out in any way possible. The synthetic rope is the best thing going when it comes to winches. I don't know about smaller winches but with the 15K the wire cable is heavy and stiff. It is a pain to get it spooled in correctly and mine eventually got damaged from getting kinked up while spooling it in. The sythetic cable is stronger and is really flexible and easy to work with. It is expensive but a winch with a messed up cable isn't going to do me any good when I need it.

 

[HillCountrykid]

M15000 and Skyjacker springs on the way! Just need to order a DT track bar and some plate.

This thread's gonna kill my checking account.



Brian

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

The old 90:10 rule

Originally posted by brandonwhite

The whole job took about 4 hours taking my time. It was not really difficult to do, it just took a while thinking about it before hand.

IOW, 90% inspiration and 10% perspiration

 

[HillCountrykid]

DT track bar ordered yesterday.



Warn M15000 arrived today. This winch is like the rest of the truck, big and heavy. Looks like I'll be cutting on the bumper next weekend.



Oh yea, when my wallet recovers from the shock, synthetic rope will be put on the winch. Longer, lighter, and more flexable. Expensive though.



Brian

 

[bighammer]

I can't get the pictures up. I have Ranch Hands on both trucks and I'm curious what you've done.



I'm also considering a reciever mount so I can swap between trucks.



I'm new to winches, (haven't even bought one yet) but I know of a few spots that it would've been very handy. (and prob a lot safer than my cheapo come-along setups-- I break one or more of those every year)