I am planning on buying a Grille Guard from either Smittybuilt or Westin in the next few months and at a later date (when I have the cash) adding a hidden winch package. Will the Guard and the winch mounting systems conflict with each other? Has anyone else done this? How much, if any, cutting will I have to do to the front valence/bumper area? Is it a good idea to have an off-road shop do this? My truck does not have the off-road package so I don't have to worry about cutting skid plating.

Also, if anyone has opinions on either Grille Guard or another brand that they like, I would be glad to hear it before I make my purchase, same goes for the winch, I am getting either a Ramsey or a Warn. As you can tell I am new to this site and new to off roading (well, with a nice truck) Thanx for your time.

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97 F-150 Flareside S/C 4x4 5.4L auto 3.55 LS.

 

I've looked into this a little bit... still gathering info, but here's what I've found so far...

Most of the hidden mounts bolt on the inside of the frame rails using some combination of the three available holes in it. I know that the Manik and the Genuine Steel guards both mount on the outside of the frame rails in the same bolt holes... nothing a couple of longer bolts couldn't take care of. (longer bolts won't weaken anything since they're loaded in shear, not tension, but I digress) I've been looking into mounting a front reciever on the front of the truck so I can install a removable 9000 lb mile-marker on it, and if necessary, swing it around to the rear (when you can't go forward any more, it's nice to be able to go back the way you came!). Also, I can lock it inside the cab, and keep it out of the elements (especially nice up here in the salt-belt).

I know Mudder has a hidden mount on his... he might be able to give you some more specifics about the exact mount setup on his...

Hope this helps.

-Joe-


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98 Explorer (Lemon Law Case in Progress)

'00 F-150, X-cab, 4x4, Lariat, Off-road, Trailer Tow, Holandia Sunroof, built 11/99 picked up 10/00!Clear Corners, Manik Stainless Steel 1-piece brush guard, Custom CB wiring, Uniden PC76-XLW CB radio with K-40 Magna-Mount antenna (for now), 1 set of 165 watt KC Daylighters (for now... more on the way) Custom switch mounting plate and overhead console, Bully Stainless Steel Trailer hitch drawbarw/ 2" stainless steel ball.
List of planned mods: Clear tails, torsion bar tweak, bug deflector, spray in liner, and a tonneau of some sort...

93 Probe GT teal, OE rims painted to match, bone stock drivetrain.

 

I have the Ramsey Pro 8000 on mine with the hidden kit. It doesn't conlflict with my Manik grill guard at all. I only had to trim a tiny, tiny piece off the front to allow room for the rollers. It simply mounts to where the tow hooks are. You take the tow hooks off, put the bracket on, then put the hooks back on, it's pretty simple. Here are some pics:







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Patrick aka Mudder or MR.Daylighter of Arlington Texas (D/FW), member of the Texas Chapter club DAYLIGHTER edition F150 ®, Black 98 S/S S/C F150 4x4 0RP 5.4 V8 3.55ls, 4" Rancho suspension lift with RS 5000 shocks, Ramsey Pro 8000 hidden winch, Grizzly roll bar, Superwhite Bulbs, 2 Baja back up lights, 2 KC 57 Series 5x7 100 watt long range lights, 2 KC 55 watt fog lights (all-season kit) 10 165 watt KC Daylighters, 2 chrome, 4 Stainless, 4 black ( with 4,214,000 candlepower total, I come alive at night), Manik grill guard, Westin step bars, Rhino Taillight guards, Magnum bug shield, Sonic aluminum treadplate 36" tool box, Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust, Airaid High Flow system, Lighted Ford logo on tailgate, 285/75/16 BFG AT/S KO, American Racing Baja wheels, Pro Comp headlight blackouts, Red Top Optima battery, personalized plates, Cobra 18WXST CB radio with 3' whip antenna, Escort Laser/Radar detector, Nokia cell phone, a Mobil Speed Pass on the back window, 3 F150World stickers, a Texas Chapter of F150World.com sticker, a BIG WHITE scrip KC sticker on the back window and a DAYLIGHTER sticker on the front windshield, and yes, I also have been infected with the infamous door crack. More to come for the Daylighter: JBA headers, superchip, 1 more Daylighter for the front, 2 KC reverse Lights, PIAA fog lights to match head lights, tint, BFG 295 AT/s. If you would like to see pics, email me at Mudder@TexasChapter.com
Also the Moderator of the Ford Trucks vs. GM trucks and Ford trucks forum over on fordvschevy.com so check it out.

Also check out www.F150World.com/Mudder

See all my pics at my zing.com site: http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294059243

[This message has been edited by mudder (edited 03-20-2001).]

 

Mudder, did you look at the Warn unit?

-- Jim

 

Mudder, that is pretty much what I am going for. (minus all the KCs) How much did the package cost you?

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97 F-150 Flareside S/C 4x4 5.4L auto 3.55 LS.

 

I looked at Warn, but I like Ramsey. My dad has one, brother had one....

I paid $600 for the winch, and $150 for the moutning plate.