1998 tacoma front mounted hitch build

[knuckleduster271]

Was going to buy one but the ones off the shelf mount ridiculously low on the front end.
My main reason for wanting one is to mount a winch witout having to spend a grand on a new bumper.
I offroad the truck so I ended up building one that sits alot higher than the off the shelf pieces.

 

[knuckleduster271]

 

[knuckleduster271]

 

[knuckleduster271]

 

[knuckleduster271]

Now just need to add a coat of paint then build a winch plate

 

[nimrag]

Is there enough room behind the plastic to add some gussets to the receiver portion? I would have some concern about the 2x2 portion braking the welds when it is under load.

 

[Rated ///M]

Is there enough room behind the plastic to add some gussets to the receiver portion? I would have some concern about the 2x2 portion braking the welds when it is under load.

agreed... anything less/more than 90 degrees is going to snap that right off... I'd gusset that on both sides for sure!

 

[koditten]

Thanks for posting that. I, myself an the middle of rebuilding the same truck. I planned doing something similar when I get to the bumper build.

Thanks, again
KO

 

[EOC_Jason]

Nice work... Sad thing is that is probably the thickest steel there is on that truck now.

 

[nine4gmc]

I'd gusset both sides AND fish plate the top of that 2x tubing to the 3" piece behind it.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Gusset that for sure, hard side pulls are gonna be bad on that....looks like you only welded it to the face, why did you not pierce the tube?

 

[knuckleduster271]

Gusset that for sure, hard side pulls are gonna be bad on that....looks like you only welded it to the face, why did you not pierce the tube?

I did pierce the tube, clearance between the tube and radiator is minimal. I had to notch the reciever just to get it to fit. No room to gusset it there. I could maybe put some in the front.
I looked at the off the shelf ones and this one is actually more sturdy than one of those.

 

[knuckleduster271]

This is what a store bought one looks like, its actually made by warn.

 

[Macrosloth]

Thanks for sharing...

How many amps is your welder? I had the same ground clamp on my miller.. It was replaced.. I'd suggest you do the same. For sheet metal its fine, but at higher amps, it definitely leaves something to be desired.

 

[knuckleduster271]

Its a hobart 187. I don't seem to really have much problems with mine I mean it gets hot enough actually sometimes I think it's too hot.
I don't know a whole lot about welding really, what did switching out the clamp do for you?

 

[Twitchr]

I am more concerned about the connection to the frame, unless im missing something, is there only 2 bolts connecting it to the frame, and 1 to the body?

 

[knuckleduster271]

agreed... anything less/more than 90 degrees is going to snap that right off... I'd gusset that on both sides for sure!

it's pretty stout- I definitely don't see it snapping right off.

 

[knuckleduster271]

I am more concerned about the connection to the frame, unless im missing something, is there only 2 bolts connecting it to the frame, and 1 to the body?

It bolts through the frame horizontally with 1/2" bolts, to the front frame horns where the bumper support used to be and on top of the frame where the two cab/body mounts are.

 

[zak77]

What's your intended purpose for this hitch?

 

[knuckleduster271]

To mount a winch

 

[Bogey won]

No tile on the floor or race deck just dirty leaves.

Dirty unpainted walls, mostly, no stripes to break the contrasting paint.

No gladiator cabinets

No vidmar storage cabinets

No harbor freight tool boxes with a maple or bowing alley refinished top for workbench

Inadequate lighting

Just a 2 post life no four post lift to park your sport car of choice under.

All in all a mess, your lucky, you've found the right site, now for the total makeover, and oh, don't forget the wiring. You have much to do.

Like the hitch, did it to my wrecker, makes moving trailers easier than before.

 

[knuckleduster271]

Ok, i plan to add a couple gussets on the reciever tube and weld some plate on the bottom to use the mounts for the factory tow hooks.

 

[knuckleduster271]

 

[knuckleduster271]

No tile on the floor or race deck just dirty leaves.

Dirty unpainted walls, mostly, no stripes to break the contrasting paint.

No gladiator cabinets

No vidmar storage cabinets

No harbor freight tool boxes with a maple or bowing alley refinished top for workbench

Inadequate lighting

Just a 2 post life no four post lift to park your sport car of choice under.

All in all a mess, your lucky, you've found the right site, now for the total makeover, and oh, don't forget the wiring. You have much to do.

Like the hitch, did it to my wrecker, makes moving trailers easier than before.

Lol
Thats a snap on and a cornwell box
The walls are painted-just dirty with black mold from a leaky roof.
And the lift came from a guys backyard for,$650 delivered.
As for the leaves- they cover up the stained concrete.

 

[PCustoms]

I did something similar for my Xterra.

I highly recommend adding some tie ins back to the towhook bolts so that you don't rip your frame horns off:

 

[knuckleduster271]

man you did a hell of a job on that, mine looks like total **** compared to yours lol.

 

[Bogey won]

Lol
Thats a snap on and a cornwell box
The walls are painted-just dirty with black mold from a leaky roof.
And the lift came from a guys backyard for,$650 delivered.
As for the leaves- they cover up the stained concrete.

No excuses, a total makeover is in order, and get rid of those boxes, it harbor fright filled with snap on. And get a garage clock, and some pinups on that dirty wall after its painted and striped and shelved and cabinted, and and and, buy a leaf blower like i use for the leaves, and don't forget a sink and a toilet, and and and, best to ya its been fun.

 

[nimrag]

It's hard to tell in the 1st pictures that the 2x2 is incorporated. I would imagine it's pretty strong, but gusset and or other reinforcements will give you piece of mind.

 

[EOC_Jason]

FWIW I think it's fine... It's a little Tacoma... It's not like it's a F350 Dualy....

 

[7echo]

If there is concern about the pulls just do a few testers. Take the bumper off and see if there is flexing. The side pulls will be the issue probably.
What size winch?
On another note, I have a '99 4Runner that spent 14 years in Indianapolis so has some rust. Not bad like some I have seen. But every time I under the truck I pull a few bolts out and anti-sieze them, then put them back. Also have been de-scaling the surface rust and treating with ospho. Some of the frame rot I have seen on these trucks is scary.

 

[volleyball]

Using a receiver tube is a great way to keep your winch working. Too many die because they sit and corrode. Run power wires to the back so you can use it from both sides.
What is the factory made hitch rated for? Is that enough for your use? If you use a 5k winch, yours looks fine, if its a 12k, then you may be needing to beef it up.
With the front end off, might be time to polish up the headlights.

 

[knuckleduster271]

Winch is a smittybilt xrc8 which is rated for 8k

 

[akdiesel]

Like the hitch, did it to my wrecker, makes moving trailers easier than before.

Exactly. I made one for 3/4 GMC to move and position trailers, second reason was for powered equipment.

 

[knuckleduster271]

 

[knuckleduster271]

I added another plate that ties into where the factory tow hooks are.
I don't think I'm going to gusset the tube, its solid I don't think it will move.

 

[koditten]

You are fine. I've had several of those exact trucks on the frame straightening rack. I know how much force those horns take to bend. They are well built. Just limit your winching to straight pulls and you won't eff up the plastic bumper.

 

[karpesh29]

Nice design! I've always like the idea of being able to use a winch in the front or the back. You never know what you're going to get into. Well done!

 

[knuckleduster271]

Thanks. Its solid, i dont think im going,to have any problems with it at all.
Going tomorrow to pick up some steel to build the winch plate and fairlead mount.

 

[adam728]

Here's a simple way to gusset the receiver tube.

Funny I ran across this post. Just this morning I was front-receiver shopping for my truck.

 

[knuckleduster271]

Here's a simple way to gusset the receiver tube.

Funny I ran across this post. Just this morning I was front-receiver shopping for my truck.

I honestly don't think mine is going to move but I may put a gusset like that on the top after I test it out with a few side pulls. on a side note I picked up a Smittybilt XRC 8 on Craigslist for $150 yesterday so soon as I get the plate done I'm ready to roll.