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Any product to convert front tow hook to hitch receiver?

jeffcrum

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jeffcrum

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So, time for power and how to mount it.

I bought some anderson connectors, 3/4 inch flat steel bar, and this.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/778079...k-anderson-sb175?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1

Ford F-150 Any product to convert front tow hook to hitch receiver? 20211211_123915

I need to clean up the ends and paint the steel and screw heads.

Wire is not run yet. Needed a place to connect it.

I also bought this flip up license plate holder for the back.
Universal Flip-Up Hawse Fairlead Mounted License Plate Holder + Mounting Screw Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078CQ4P94/ref=cm_sw_r_apanp_w7Ej8CRMPFZCL

Ford F-150 Any product to convert front tow hook to hitch receiver? 20211124_143703

I'll put the rear one under there.
 

jeffcrum

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jeffcrum

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DT400

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I'm going to play Devil's Advocate a little bit here.
As someone who has been off-roading for decades and using winches for self recovery, recovering other vehicles, moving downed trees Etc and seen cables break, winches ripped off the front of vehicles and the sort. I can't see how your winch Mount is attached to the frame I would caution that you keep in mind that a winch can create a tremendous amount of force on a vehicle. I have seen people use the same single Mount system as you show here with luck but it's usually attached with a trailer hitch on the front or rear where it ties to both frame rails not just the side of one. The way you have it done may be perfectly safe I can't tell. All I can tell you it's when things start tearing and shearing it does a lot of damage.
This is just a word of caution not trying to be accusational.

Darrell
 

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jeffcrum

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I get it. Thanks for the input.

They are attached where the factory tow hooks were attached.
 

Bryan Simon

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I get it. Thanks for the input.

They are attached where the factory tow hooks were attached.
im by no means an expert on this, but I think Darrell has a valid poin—particularly if not pulling inline with your anchor (pickup)

but it also appears to me that you could fabricate another bar to tie to both of the reciever tubes and tie the frame horns together.
mount the winch (wench) to the tie bar.

just a thought
 

jeffcrum

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im by no means an expert on this, but I think Darrell has a valid poin—particularly if not pulling inline with your anchor (pickup)

but it also appears to me that you could fabricate another bar to tie to both of the reciever tubes and tie the frame horns together.
mount the winch (wench) to the tie bar.

just a thought
I have been thinking about what @DT400 and you have said.

I haven't been off-roading for decades like Darrell and I do listen to others.

So, here is my thinking ...
  • First, not totally a mall crawler. But, mostly :)
  • I personally feel that every man with a truck should own a winch!
  • I also personally feel that all truck should be 4x4.
  • My previous 'truck' was a Honda Ridgeline. Although, it kind of met one requirement, I felt silly buying a winch for it!
  • I have a use for a winch that does not call for pulling my ass out of a mud hole as deep as my doors. Stumps, fence posts, and other things I can only imagine exist right now.
  • To do this, I don't need to move my intercooler so I can install the winch correctly in the grill.
  • And, front tow hooks are basically useless to me as they came.
Having said all of that ...
I wanted a winch (wenches bring me beer :ROFLMAO: )
I can see needs to use it from the front or back
I don't need to pull the truck with it
I may pull other things - I may not
I can now pull ... whatever ... from the front or back
I can dual line pull from the front and use both sides of the frame (as suggested for mounting)
I can single line pull from the back and use both sides of the frame

And, most importantly, I personally feel that every man with a truck should own a winch!

So, there you have it. That is why I am doing this.

Thanks for listening :)
 

veloverland

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To avoid @DT400 's concern, couldn't you just always winch off a snatch block in front and double back to your other hitch receiver? Shouldn't that put equal force on both sides? I want to do this after installing a hitch receiver mounted below the bumper and regretting it. Don't want to mess with intercooler relocation while truck is still under warranty, but do plan on pulling the vehicle out of mud and snow, etc.
 

powerboatr

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i put on a front hitch. 🤗:love:

Ford F-150 Any product to convert front tow hook to hitch receiver? front hitch trim


Ford F-150 Any product to convert front tow hook to hitch receiver? 20221127_140534


Ford F-150 Any product to convert front tow hook to hitch receiver? 20221126_171858
 

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jeffcrum

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To avoid @DT400 's concern, couldn't you just always winch off a snatch block in front and double back to your other hitch receiver? Shouldn't that put equal force on both sides? I want to do this after installing a hitch receiver mounted below the bumper and regretting it. Don't want to mess with intercooler relocation while truck is still under warranty, but do plan on pulling the vehicle out of mud and snow, etc.
Absolutely.

But, I am not sure you'll be able to get the winch mounted if in mud or snow.
 

notabot

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Great work Jeff!!!! Glad this got bumped, helped me out a ton. FWIW, is there a reason you did not consider welding the receiver onto the truck frame?
 

jeffcrum

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Great work Jeff!!!! Glad this got bumped, helped me out a ton. FWIW, is there a reason you did not consider welding the receiver onto the truck frame?
I had bolts from the tow hooks I removed. It never occurred to me not to use them.
 

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Amazing find! Been looking for a way to mount a hitch winch on the front for the super rare cases. Love the ingenuity and the factor hooks look sweet! Great work and thanks for posting so we have options that keep ground clearance without intercooler moving
 

RickBullotta

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@jeffcrum I gotta ask if you've ever got around to using the winch on a heavy load and if so, how these mods held up. super creative solution - just wanted to know if it actually worked. ;-)
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