What is the best place to mount a winch on a 2000 f150. I need one becuase of the holes i hit but not sure how i want to mount it yet. Any suggestions.

 

IMHO I would use a Warn Semi-hidden mount. Here is a picture of mine without the bumper.



If you click on the little camera in the right hand corner it will direct you to my gallery.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

will it work with a 3 inch body or do i have to modify the brakets becuase it moves the stock bumper doesnt it. how did you get your to work.

 

It bolts to the frame so it remained in place. The bumper moved up 3 inches so the hole then needs to be cut out to fit the fairlead has to be cut lower on the valance.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

ok i got it. i appreciate the help alot. Do you have any problems with the battery or are you running dual batts with an isolator. Im gonna try and run my red top optima and thats all with a 9500 mile marker when it gets here tuesday.By the way very nice truck.I like to see its NOT a tar baby and likes the mud

 

I run an Optima yellow top and a 200 amp alternator. The limiting factor is the power of the battery. My winch can draw up to 450 amps so the battery takes a licking. Look at the reserve capacity of your battery and that will tell how much winching you can actually do till the battery voltage drops below a useful level. The higher the reserve capacity the longer you can winch. The alternator is just there to help. At 200 amps I can winch longer. If I am drawing less than 200 amps, light load, then the alternator can keep up with the draw from the winch and the limiting factor now becomes the winch itself. They tend to heat up on long pulls and need to be cooled down.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

x2. i use the same hidden kit with my 9.5ti

my method to remedy the winch's draw is i plan on doing 2 yellow tops with a isolator. i just havnt found place for the extra batts yet. with a 130a alty and a red top optima, it definately pulls hard on the battery.

 

If you ever figure out where to put the second battery in the engine compartment please let us know.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

im thinkin about making a new platform for them to sit on in the stock location. but then i still wanted 2 yellow tops for acc only lol

 

JMC - Do you have to cut the valance to make the everything fit right? I wonder if its is possible to mount your front plate in front of your setup and either remove some how or flip it up when you're winchin...

Ive seen a million posts by you and just realized your rig is toreador red as is mine. I have some slight bed side damage and have a chance buy a whole flairside setup. So it was cool to see what it would look like.

sorry to be a thread *****

 

to answer your question to JMC, yes you have to cut a little bit. the plate idea workes pretty good with a pinao hinge, my brother did this on his 89 ranger. i could take a pic if you'd like. but it really only gives access to the lever and plug in on the winch.

on the 97-98 the valence cuts can be done and look less invasive than the 99+ imo

 

Here is a link to the install instructions from warn. http://warn.iwebcat.com/imgVD/WAR/37082B0-pn34701.pdf

I have had my winch since 1997 so when I transfered it to the 2000 in October of 99 there were no instructions on what to cut. So I went to town with the sawsall.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Klitch - after seeing your setup I think youre right. It flows better than the 99-03 valance. Is your fairlead stainless? It looks good. I am also tossin around the idea of a front hitch. My dad has one and is considering buyin a multi mount. So i could use when i need it pretty much.

Here in PA when dont have a required plate for the front so I took my whole bracket off. Have you ever saw a hidden setup on a 05-07 superduty?

 

The only advantage of a front hitch is the ability to move it around and to keep it in the garage till you need it. Ihe downfalls of a front hitch is the decrease in the angel of approach if you have it mounted. If you keep it in the bed till you are stuck you have to lug it out and install it when you are **** deep in crap.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

i doubt its stainless, never really looked at it close but i believe its galvanized finish. just hasnt been beat on yet. i've only used it a handfull of times. even less on my truck.