Hidden winch possibilities/got trapped in the snow for a day

I got trapped in my truck for just over a day because I got stuck in the snow and If I had a winch I would not have been stuck for so long, problem is I don’t like any aftermarket bumpers. Is there a way to hide a winch in the oem bumper? Also here’s some pics from before I got stuck








And where I got stuck for 15 hours and got saved I had to go back up yesterday to get the truck down.


Is there a way for a hidden winch?

 

You could get a front hitch installed and then one of these...then you could use it front or rear if you run the electrical to both areas.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/War...xU1qkeD_yoLMmN7vbPa9urXNyXkNuUcxoCtNAQAvD_BwE

 

That could work I’m looking for something more permanent. But that’s an option if anything.

 

This is the route I'll probably end up going, unless something like Victory 4x4's Blitz bumper comes available for 1st gens.

 

Tire chains would have dealt with that snow just fine.

 

Yeah, I put a chain on wrong and it slipped off, there was 3 feet the day I came up to get it. I just put it in 4 low on my way down.

 

I will probably go that route too.

 

I built one for my 2nd gen Tacoma, it was awesome.


I’m not sure how much room a 1st gen Tundra has behind the stock bumper, but if there’s room for a winch it’s a nice way to go.

 

Yeah that’s what I’m going for I want it to be real clean

 

Trail tailor does a hidden mount for 100 series land cruisers. Might be a viable starting point. It requires some cutting if the cross bar.

 

Stuck in snow with the little honey? For 15 hours? Sounds like an excuse I need to add to the quiver.

 

With or without a winch it is never recommended to go anywhere off-road alone. Glad you got out though.

 

Man after my own heart. I was toying with the idea of a winch behind my factory bumper but ditched the idea since I cut my bumper a bit. Now I'm just planning a receiver that doesn't stick out very far so I can get a winch cradle later on. Pops and I are planning on buying or building a car hauler so a winch on a cradle could be pretty handy there too.

 

I had a Warn Trans4mer on my '02 with a winch carrier. You could probably mount one between the frame horns behind the bumper.

I saw this from somewhere.

WARN 29394 Trans4mer Winch Carrier, Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CQDPKY

 

I'm cheap! so I carry a come-along just in case! Don't laugh! It has saved me a few times!

 

On that note, if the OP has any fab skills, I would recommend checking these out..
I used one of them to start my bumper on my Tacoma. I would imagine it would be somewhat possible to get one mounted with the stock bumper.
https://www.barnes4wd.com/Dual-Pull-Winch-Plate-26-Inch-Wide_p_214.html
https://www.barnes4wd.com/Dual-Pull-Winch-Plate-33-Inch-Wide_p_915.html

Also, hidden or not hidden if a thief wants your winch they will find a way to take it. If you really want a winch there I would worry less about hiding it and more about integrating it into the OE bumper so it looks okay.

 

Looks like the guy at SOS is thinking about producing a 1st Gen streamline bumper for a hidden winch. At least there is recent talk about it on this forum. Do a search on it.

 

Wow thank you all! These are great. That fab work looks good, I just need money/time. I am saving for a winch no matter what.

 

We've been hearing this for a while. "Company xyz is going to start making 1st gen products..."


I'm very causiously optimistic...

 

"We're gonna finish up the Tacoma and 3rd gen blah blah's and then start on the 1st gen!"

Five years later.. Crickets are the only thing heard in the 1st gen nose bleed section.

 

Hahaah. Bump stops coming soon! Bumpers coming soon! Roof baskets coming soon!

I’ve read some very old posts going back 15 years on other sites about our 1st Gens saying such and such is feeling out the market...

You are better off just having a local artisan make your stuff. It ain’t gonna be cheap doe, but you’ll get exactly what you want and not have to wait months for it!

 

Also, if someone does come out with something.. Snap it up before they decide to move on.

Looking at you @RelentlessFabrication

 

Yeah, there’s lots of after market bumpers but I feel they don’t suit the truck well.

 

Have you looked into traction boards (like maxtrax) ? They have done well by me and weight and cost less than your winch accessories will cost you.
IMHO winches are great when circumstances and user knowledge allow for them to be used correctly.
Regardless, good luck with your search for recovery options!

 

Yep. When a company says they'll make first gen stuff, I smile and say "that would be great!". It would, but I'll believe it when I see it.

I absolutely love my 1st Gen but the lack of aftermarket support is tough to deal with, especially since I want/need to outfit my truck for backcountry fishing and hunting travel. I can get some stuff and make do with others, but to set up my dream truck honestly means buying a 3rd gen at this point. I have a feeling I'm only a few years away from buying a 3rd gen and selling the 1st to pay for some mods...

 

I second and third the front end receiver hitch. I've had them on every truck and they come in handy. It would be easy to place a hitch mounted winch into the front or rear. I would weld up the mount myself because some of them look very cheap.

Traction boards are also a great call. I keep them in the Tundra, but I have the cheap knock-off's from Amazon.

 

I just can't do it. My hope is that the next gen Tundra doesn't look like a land yacht and gets more than 12mpg.