All.
I am close to making an offer on a used van.
One of the items it doesn't have that I want: winch.
It also doesn't have the custom bumpers. I don't necessarily need the bumpers BUT... Do you know if I can mount a winch on the van if it doesn't have the custom bumpers?
I am doing some research but thought I would check with you guys on the forum.

Thanks.

QuadVan can install your winch behind a stock bumper.
I don't know if this is all years or just new vans.
They use the MileMarker winch.
Give 'em a call. http://www.quadvan.com/

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Two wheels or four, its all good. :-)
'10 E-350 EB V-10 QuadVan 4x4, SMB penthouse top, Van Specialties interior

QuadVan can do the stock-bumper winch mount back through '97. They can probably go back further with a bumper swap.


This pic shows the '97-'07 bumper. There is a grill guard on the van, but it is independent form the winch mounting.

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2000 E450 dually V10 wagon

My 2 cents ...

I really like the convenience and look of the winch mounted behind the stock bumper but I also like the versatility of using a winch in the back so I plan on getting a winch on a receiver mount so I can use it front and rear. With a class IV in the back your limits are higher than the front mount class III (unless you have it fab'ed). I don't ever plan on getting so stuck that I exceed the pound limits of my receiver hitch.

Ray

What would one recommend as a hitch mounted winch setup? Does that limit what you can use the winch for? Benefits and negatives with this route?
Thanks
Eric

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2006 Ford E-350 V10 Agile 4x4 SMB EB50

2000 Ford E-350 7.3L Quigley 4x4 hard top with custom interior by Xtreme Fab - Sold

Ray. This sounds like the setup I want. Can this be done with stock bumpers? I there a website I can check out to get more info?

Thanks all for the input.
-Steve

http://www.bb4wa.com/articles/Accessories-winch.html

Above is a nice article discussing the drawbacks of a receiver winch.

-SG

One of the troubles with a Reciver mount hitch is the load rating. You can not run more than a 9K winch. Our Vans need a 12k min. (even if you never plan on getting stuck ) My bumpers that I am building will have a 16.5k in the front and rear. Our Vans are heavy (but don't tell mine She's sensitive about her weight)

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2001 RWB Quigley (not a SMB but love it)
Lots of Motorcycles (Dual Sports, Sportbikes and Sport Tourers)

True, you want at least a 12K.

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Chris Steuber
02 E350 7.3 (V4)
17 Focus RS, 90 SHO, 49 CJ2A, 89 LSC, 20 T250 AWD
ujointoffroad.com

I run a 12K on my Jeep TJ, and I'm OK with putting a 9000/9500 in the van and having extra winch rope and snatch blocks. I don't want any more weight on the van and unlike the Jeep I won't be rushing in doing single line pulls to get people (or myself) off a trail, nor dragging the van over things it wasn't meant to go over. With my Jeep I'm quick to jump in and rescue anything, bigger and tougher situation the better and on top of that, everybody always seems like they are in a rush.

In the van it will be emergency recovery only, and I won't pull the winch out unless it's really necessary. Taking the time to build a good recovery setup is more important than dragging around 3K of extra winch, and I don't like being on the trail with people who are impatient with these things anyway, more so with the van. Heck, we really should all be running 15K winches anyway.

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it was good to be back